165g/6oz semolina
125ml/4½fl oz plain yoghurt
125ml/4½fl oz water
two handfuls frozen peas, defrosted
2 tbsp chopped onion
1 small carrot, peeled and grated
handful fresh or frozen (defrosted) green beans, roughly chopped
2.5cm/1in piece fresh ginger, peeled and crushed
¾-1 tsp red chilli powder
½ tsp ground turmeric
salt, to taste (season well)
3 tbsp oil, plus extra for greasing
1 tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp sesame seeds
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and oil a loaf tin.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the semolina, yoghurt, water, vegetables, ginger, chilli powder, turmeric and salt to make a fairly thick batter. Taste and adjust with more salt or spices if necessary.
3. Heat the oil in a small pan. Add the mustard, cumin and sesame seeds and cook, stirring frequently, for 20 seconds, or until the mustard seeds have popped and the cumin and sesame seeds are aromatic. Stir the seeds and oil into the batter. If the batter is too thick, add a splash of water.
4. Stir in the bicarbonate of soda and immediately pour the mixture into the tin. Transfer to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown. It’s ready when a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool and become crisp in the tin.
5. Serve in wedges, either on its own or with green chutney.
Karala cooking 