Vegetarian Cuisine
PASSION CAKE – A wholesome cake with sweetness and rich tropical flavour and a treat to share at any celebration or festive time. This quantity serves 8-12.
Ingredients:
2 cups plus 1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon apple pie spice (or ground all -spice can be used)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons soy flour
6 tablespoons water
1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 large very ripe banana
1/3 cup chopped dried figs
2 tablespoons golden raisins
1 tablespoon lime marmalade (or other citrus marmalade can be used)
1 and 1/3 cups finely grated carrots
¾ cup oil
Frosting:
7 ounces creamed coconut
About 6 tablespoons hot water
Grated zest of ½ orange
3 -4 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar)
3 tablespoons orange juice
Scant 1 cup sweetened dried coconut, toasted
Preparation:
- Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and line bottom of 8 inch round cake pan.
- Combine the whole wheat flour, baking powder and spices in large mixing bowl. Mix soy flour with the water and stir into the bowl with sugar and nuts.
- Mash the banana and add it with the figs, golden raisins, marmalade, carrots and oil. Mix thoroughly.
- Transfer batter to the prepared pan and level the top. Bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes or until firm to the touChaitanya Leave to cool in pan. Using a round-bladed knife, ease the sides of the cake away from the pan, then turn out and peel off the lining paper.
- To make the frosting, mash the creamed coconut in a bowl with some of the hot water, using a fork, then beat in the grated orange zest, confectioner’s sugar and orange juice with enough hot water to make a smooth consistency for spreading on the top and side of the cake. Sprinkle evenly with the toasted coconut.
This recipe is an edited contribution for the Sivananda Gurugram, partly sourced and edited from The Yoga Cookbook. Vegetarian Food for Body and Mind. Recipes from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. 1999.
Sadhana should be as much a part of your daily life as eating, drinking and breathing. – Sri Swami Sivananda
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| NOVEMBER 2016
09 Swami Vishnudevananda Mahasamadhi DECEMBER 2016 09 Ekadasi |
Glossary
PURUSHARTHA – human aspiration; individual exertion; self effort
Commentary from Swami Sivananda –
If every individual behaves according to his own nature only, if there is none who has no nature of his own, then there is no scope for individual exertion (Purushartha). In that case the teachings of the Shastras, which inspire people to right exertion, would be quite purposeless.
Of the four grand objects of human aspiration—Purusharthas—viz., Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, Dharma is given the foremost rank in the scriptures. Dharma alone is the gateway to Moksha, to immortality, infinite bliss, supreme peace and highest knowledge. Dharma alone is the primary Purushartha. Dharma is the first and foremost Purushartha. Through the practice of Dharma alone can you ever hope to achieve the crowning glory of all human endeavours, viz., Moksha which is the best and the highest of all desirable things.
What you are now at present is the result of what you thought and did in the past. What you shall be in the future will be the result of what you think and do now. You find an environment which is best suited to the tendencies you acquired in a former life. You can create better conditions for the future. You can make your Karma what you choose. You can rise to a very high state of perfection. You can change your character, thoughts and actions. Bhishma and Vasishtha laced Purushartha, or exertion, above their destiny.
In the Gita you will find: “Even the man of knowledge acts in conformity with his own nature; beings follow nature; what shall restraint avail.” BG Chaitanya III-33
Develop fiery determination, iron will, burning dispassion and yearning for liberation. You will realize the Truth. – Sri Swami Sivananda