I'm sure that you're all familiar with the gorgeous and prolific blog that is Vegan Richa. You've probably drooled over her stunning pictures of tasty Indian and American food dishes. You may've tried some of her recipes and know first-hand, just as I do, how delicious and foolproof her recipes are. When Richa Hingle, the blogstress behind the popular blog, asked me if I'd like to review her new book, I of course jumped at the chance.
Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen is perfect for those among us who like to eat delicious Indian food but don't like getting too fussy in the kitchen, which, let's be honest, is pretty much everyone. Richa has created over 125 vegan recipes that demonstrate how beautiful and simple Indian food can be. There are choices for every craving and every meal, from dals, curries, and flatbreads to breakfasts and desserts. The book is also a feast for the eye, being filled with tons of Richa's beautiful photography.
I chose to try one of the curries, the Mango Curry Tofu, to be exact. I love all things mango and the idea of pairing it with indian spices sounded wonderful. To go with it, I knew I had to make some naan. Back when I could eat gluten, the naan was one of my favorite parts of the Indian food experience and it's an experience I've been missing. Knowing how good Richa is at creating gluten-free breads, I chose to try the Gluten-Free Oat Naan. I couldn't find nigella seeds so I used black sesame seeds as Richa suggests in the introduction to the book (she also suggest using dried onion flakes with the sesame seeds, but I didn't have any on hand). Both the curry and the naan were delicious! The naan wasn't an exact replica of its gluten-full counterpart, but it was still just as satisfying when dipped into the luscious curry.
Richa and Vegan Heritage Press have given me permission to share the Mango Curry Tofu recipe with you so you can enjoy it in your own home!
Mangoes are abundant in India, where they are always juicy and sweet. In the United States, mangoes can be a bit tart. For desserts or curries like this one, I prefer mango pulp or puree in canned or bottled form. You can use a ripe mango, if you prefer, but be sure to puree it well before using. This is a simple recipe but the resulting dish is very alluring with its sweet and spicy sauce. It can easily be made soy-free.
Ingredients
- 14 ounces firm tofu
- 2 teaspoons safflower or other neutral oil
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 (1-inch) knob of ginger
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon safflower or other neutral oil
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cloves
- 1 1/4 cups canned or culinary coconut milk
- 3/4 cup ripe mango pulp or puree (unsweetened or lightly sweetened canned)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- Generous dash of black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Garam Masala, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Tofu: Cut the tofu slab into 1/2-inch slices. Place them on a clean kitchen towel. Cover with another kitchen towel. Place a 10-pound (approximate) weight on top and let sit for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can use pressed tofu. Cut the tofu slices into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, tilt the skillet so the oil coats it evenly. Add the tofu and cook until lightly brown on some sides, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes. Add the cayenne, cinnamon, garam masala, and salt and mix well to coat. Cook for another 2 minutes and set aside.
- Curry: In a blender, combine the onion, ginger, and garlic and blend into a smooth puree with 2 tablespoons of water. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, bay leaves, and cloves. Cook for 1 minute. Add the pureed onion and cook until the onion mixture is dry and does not smell raw. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking, 13 to 15 minutes. Add the coconut milk, mango pulp, salt, and vinegar and mix well. Add the tofu and all the spices from the tofu skillet to the sauce skillet. Add a dash of black pepper.
- Mix, cover and cook until the sauce comes to a boil, 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered until the sauce thickens and desired consistency is achieved, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the salt and tang. Add 1/2 teaspoon or more sugar if the mango pulp was not sweet. Garnish with cilantro and a dash of garam masala and serve hot.
Notes
Recipe from Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen Copyright © 2015 by Richa Hingle. Used by permission Vegan Heritage Press, LLC.
Richa and Vegan Heritage Press are also letting me give away one copy of Vegan Richa's Indian Kitchen to one of you wonderful readers. I am also giving away a second copy (I somehow received two review copies), myself, so there will be a total of 2 winners! The giveaway will run until 11:59 on 6/25/15 and is open to US residents only (Sorry!). To enter, please leave a comment below, answering the following question. The winners will be picked at random. Congrats to Carla, the winner!
What is your favorite Vegan Richa recipe (from the blog or book)?
Thank you to Richa and Vegan Heritage Press for letting me review this book. Thank you to all of you lovely people for stopping by today!
Disclaimer: I was given this book to review but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Photography by Chris Miller
Deanne O'Donnell
Makhani Vegetable Pot Pie
Jane
From her blog: buffalo chickpea pizza with white garlic sauce, yummy! love her veganized Indian recipes!
Casey
I really like her Baked Mango Sriracha Cauliflower Wings! But very hard to pick just one recipe as her stuff is amazing!
Paula
She has so many amazing recipes, that it's difficult to choose. I love her Rainbow Chard & Peas in Creamy Gravy. http://www.veganricha.com/2014/01/rainbow-chard-and-peas-in-creamy-gravy.html
RG Enriquez
Gulab Jamun! I didn't know that it could be vegan AND gluten free! After all, it's fried milk (bread) balls. I'm blown away.
Julie
Love her chickpea flour omelet recipe!
Kelsey R
I've made the jalapeno popper dip a few times for family functions! Definitely a recipe to keep handy!
Laurie
from the blog ~ Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls 🙂 There are soooo many more recipes I need to try though!
Marie
I've never owned one of her cook books (though I'd love to) so I've only had recipes from the blog. The thai layer dip is probably my favorite so far!
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming
THE ULTIMATE GIANT VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP & CHUNK COOKIES!
Samantha
I love Richa's soy-free broccolini white bean frittata!
Joy Rapier
I haven't tried her recipes before but I love indian food and this recipe looks amazing!
Kristina
I just tried the kidney bean curry from the book and it was soooo good. I couldn't even find all the ingredients (dried mango powder and fenugreek leaves will probably require a trek to the Indian store) and it was still so flavorful. I can't wait to make it again.
michelle
RED LENTIL CAULIFLOWER BURGER WITH CHIPOTLE HABANERO MAYO, is the best
Anna
sounds delightful!! yummy
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Her gluten-free naan!
Steph
My favorite recipe from Kristy & Chris's Keepin' it Kind blog is the 'Harissa-Spiced Chickpea Avocado Salad Grilled Cheese Sandwiches'. Whoa mama!!! Talk about taking a classic kid favorite and kicking it up a notch for my grown up tastes buds! Gotta love it! Keep up the good work!
Stephanie
I love all of her dal recipes, but especially the Kashmiri dal. So much great flavor! I am super excited to get her cookbook.
Christina
I love the gluten-free vegan brownies because they are healthy, delicious, and great to share with friends who don't even notice the difference!
Nimai Charan
I think this would be my favourite recipe from Richa's Indian desserts: KESAR PEDA – SAFFRON INFUSED MITHAI SWEET.
http://www.veganricha.com/2014/01/kesar-peda-saffron-infused-mithai-sweet.html
Becca F
General tso's tempeh
Katharine
Any of the curries/dals. But the Artichoke, Spinach, Cauliflower Bean burgers are a unique (and yummy) twist on the usual style of veggie burger that you typically see.
Becky
My favorite recipe of Richa's is the Moroccan Lentil Soup. It is just so delicious I could eat it every week! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of her book.
cornellflip
KESAR PISTA MASALA MILK MIX - SAFFRON PISTACHIO BEVERAGE
Shelley O
My favorite recipe from Vegan Richa's blog is her BBQ tempeh pizza. So good and an amazing take on a pizza that is usually full of meat! I can't wait to see her book 🙂
Ali @ Chickpeas & Change
I love Richa's sandwiches!
Gaby
She has so many good ones! I make dal or furry most often because it's easy, healthy, plus tasty. But sticking with the mango theme and because I've been eating one giant mango a day for 2 weeks now- her mango Burfi is amazing! One of the best desserts I've made ever.
Johanna
BBQ Lentil Burgers
Greg
Spicy Chickpea lentil burgers!
Kristy
Jalapeno popper dip
Dana
The Chocolate chip Cookie Dough Blizzard Shake on her blog is awesome!
Talli
Mahkani Vegetable Pot Pie!!!!!
Catherine
I'm pretty new to her blog, but I was browsing one day and saw these burgers http://www.veganricha.com/2014/10/sweet-potato-peanut-burgers.html I knew I had to try them, and they did not disappoint!
Coco
richa's sweet potato adzuki bean sliders do not disappoint!
Justina
OMG, Mango Curry Tofu! I love curries and LOVE mango!
Sue
I love so many of Richa's recipes. right now I have her Sweet and Sour lentils, her siracha tempeh bbq wraps in the refrigerator. And her spinach paratha in my freezer.
Glenn McCarthy
Mango Tofu Curry
Ashley
Roasted cauliflower and radishes! Yum!
Michelle
My favorite recipe of hers is the missir wot pizza. I love Ethiopian cuisine and I thought this recipe was very interesting and unique!
Lynn Dils
I am brand new to this site/page so I don't have a favorite yet but I would love to be a winner of the Giveaway cookbook which would surely help me along my path of transitioning to a Vegan lifestyle. Thank you!
Kim Henrichs
Oooh, definitely mashed potato fritters!
Terri Cole
Wow, it's hard to name just one favorite, but those crunchy spicy potatoes http://www.veganricha.com/2015/02/crunchy-spicy-potatoes.html are just ridiculously good! Thanks for the giveaway.
Jennifer
My favorite recipe from the blog would be the cauliflower keema/gobi mutter keema. I loved it! I think my favorite thing about it is that it really alters cauliflower since my husband doesn't like it much.
http://www.veganricha.com/2014/02/gobi-mutter-keema-minced-cauliflower.html
Ribin
Mango curry?? Yes please! I have seven ripe mangos at home (I'm a little mango addicted...shh) and this looks like the perfect way to use some of my stash.
I haven't actually delved into Richa's blog much but I have my eye on her coconut flour brownies.
DJ
I would love to try the Butternut Coconut Red Lentil Curry.
Richa @ veganricha.com
Awesome! Thank you for the wonderful review Kristy and the gorgeous photos! So glad you tried the Naan. Do get some nigella seeds! Also the book has 150 recipes! 🙂
Jamee
The chocolate chip cookie dough bars from the blog - ahhhhhh! You really cannot go wrong with this recipe, who doesn't love massive amounts of vegan cookie dough in bar form?
Sarah
The teriyaki chicken pea boa! What a great way to enjoy the classic bun without the meat!
Heather B.
I'm so grateful to this review for putting this cookbook and cookbook author on my radar! I love Indian food, and I'm thrilled to have found a source for vegan recipes! I look forward to browsing through the website and looking for inspiration. The first thing I'll be looking for is a vegan equivalent for chicken tikka masala, which was one of my favorites in my pre-vegan days!
Carla
Almond crusted cauliflower with nacho cheese sauce!! I have learned to really like cauliflower but this takes it to a whole other level. It is melt in your mouth good.
Brenda
Palak tofu paneer
Yoojin
i love her general tso's tempeh recipe 🙂
Natalia M
My favorite Vegan Richa recipe from her blog is for the Ultimate Chocolate Chip and Chunk Cookies. It's by far the best vegan chocolate chip cookie that I tried, and definitely guilt free in my books. It makes a regular appearance in my home.
Kate
I love Vegan Richa's blog and her Masoor Dal Tadka (http://www.veganricha.com/2013/08/masoor-dal-tadka-pink-lentil-stew-vegan.html) which introduced me to tempering (so simple but such a simple way to add flavor!). Plus uttapams (http://www.veganricha.com/2012/06/uttapam-lentil-and-rice-pancake-with.html) got me through the first few months of being diagnosed with a gluten allergy. And I've been eyeing the carrot cake ice cream with ginger molasses cookies for a loooooong time (http://www.veganricha.com/2013/09/carrot-cake-ice-cream-and-ginger.html). Love this blog!
Saniel
Coconut flour brownies, it's my go to favorite. Thanks
Amanda
Almond Butter Chocolate Mousse!
jessica z
I like the Spinach Paratha Flatbread! http://www.veganricha.com/2015/05/spinach-paratha-flatbread-yeast-free.html
Ema
Tough choice but I think I have to go with her gluten-free brownies, they were delicious!
Michelle
My favorite recipe is the burgers with habanero sauce
Oliver Gilbert
Great recipe, thanks for sharing!
vegan supplements
Joy
I like the Easy Chana Dal recipe.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Erin
Chickpea spinach stew
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It
Oh my gosh, definitely her Vegan Almond Butter Blondies with Chocolate Chips!!!
Laurie
I definitely have to second that! I'm totally obsessed with them and have made them probably 50 times! 🙂
kimberley
i love her Dal Palaak! it's just genious!!
Betty
My favorite recipe is from the blog. It's the Vegan Chocolate Layer Cake for one. It' amazing and doesn't heat up the house!
Bridget
SPICY CHICKPEA LENTIL BURGERS
Melissa
One of my favorite Vegan Richa recipes is her no-bake cookie dough. I once made it and cut it up into small squares to use as mix-ins with banana soft-serve so that it was like cookie dough ice cream. Such a good decision.
Molly
Chickpea flour omelets! A total favorite
Joanne M
Tempeh Tikka Masala would be the first recipe I would make--sounds wonderful!
Dawn @ Florida Coastal Cooking & Wellness
Girl! This looks amazing! I actually have all the ingredients on hand. I'll be trying this for lunch or dinner. I've heard of Vegan Richa but haven't visited in a while. I love her Masoor Dal Tadka. Thanks for the reminder! I just tried your artichoke crab cakes last night and they were amazing! I did a baked version, reviewed your book and posted it on my site if you want to take a look! http://www.floridacoastalcooking.com/2015/06/baked-vegan-crab-cakes.html
karen
She has the most beautiful veggie burger recipes!
Melissa K.
I have been drooling over this book since checking it out at the library. I'd love to win this b/c I cannot buy any cookbooks right now. And, the first thing I'd make would be DOSAS! The second would be this mango curry tofu dish! LOVE the combination!
Veg4life
I found her via the chocolate chip cookies, but can't wait to try some of those absolutely delicious Indian recipes.
CarPow2014
I like her ginger molasses cookies.
Pudyqat
I like the recipe for Sriracha BBQ Baked Tempeh Wraps with tahini slaw
Andrea
I love all the different cauliflower "wings" recipes!
Holly
The Tofu Mango Summer Rolls look amazing!
Marie
Almond Butter Salted Caramel Brownie French Toasts - YUM!!!
Adriane
I grew up on Indian Food! Mango and curry are amazing together thank you so much sharing the recipe!
Kristy
One of my favorite Vegan Richa recipes is Roasted Masala Chickpeas! Crunchy, addictive, healthy goodness!!
Katrina
Massaman curryso far
Julie H. Stuart
The jalapeno popper dip has become a staple at the get togethers with some omni friends- they request it often! (And it is so addictive!)
kratika
Lovely giveaway ! I love all things !!! Great blog too !
kratika Mishra
Lovely giveaway ! I love all things !!! Great blog too !