Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Chef Mira Manek offers soul food from India

By Lauren Codling

THE author of an Indian cookbook hopes her recipes will counter the notion that food from the subcontinent is “oily, heavy and creamy”.


Mira Manek’s first book Saffron Soul is a collection of Indian dishes with a contemporary twist.

Indian-inspired recipes for layered lentil and sweet potato jars; mango shrikhand (a sweet dish typical from the western state of Maharashtra); and cheesecake are Manek’s offering that keen foodies can experiment with and appreciate.

Acknowledging that Indian food can be seen as rich and unnecessarily unhealthy, she is eager to provide a healthier alternative.

“It doesn’t need to be so offputtingly heavy,” she told Eastern Eye. “There are in fact so many regional cuisines in India, each so distinctly unique and different, from south Indian coconut and ricebased dishes to Gujarati vegetarian cuisine with snacks galore and the richer north Indian curries and naans.

“The Indian ingredients and spices themselves are so incredibly beneficial. It’s the way Indian dishes are cooked, the addition of cream and excessive oil that have given Indian food its unhealthy reputation.”

This Diwali, the chef is hosting a supperclub at Dalloway Terrace, a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of London’s Oxford Street.

Manek’s supperclubs are known for their appetising and colourful feasts with a variety of her delicious recipes on offer.

Her special Diwali-themed event will be no different – working alongside the talented chefs at Dalloway, guests will be treated to a selection of dishes from Saffron Soul, including her signature Indian summers salad, a masala grilled aubergine and tandoori roasted cauliflower.

“Dalloway Terrace is a stunning place, so [guests are] in for a real treat,” she said.

Manek’s family are originally from Gujarat and she took inspiration from the local, traditional cuisine while inventing her own recipes.

The author described herself as “ecstatic” when she saw the book for the first time. It is, thus far, the proudest moment of her culinary career, she told Eastern Eye.

“It’s something I had wanted and worked towards, but finally having it as a book in my hands was unbelievable and thrilling at the same time,” she said.

The inspiration for new dishes and flavours also came from other chefs, food magazines, Instagram and cookbooks.

Manek stressed, however, that her biggest influences are her mother and grandmother. “Their cooking inspired my passion,” she said.

Her earliest memory of experimenting with food is showing her grandmother “a small sachet of oddly shaped brown seeds,” she purchased from Covent Garden.

When she saw it, her grandmother laughed as she told Manek she had been using the seeds – fenugreek, as it turned out, a common ingredient in south Asian cuisine – for years.

“I recall meandering the streets of Covent Garden in London on a summer’s day, and walking into Neal’s Yard where the lady recommended those magic seeds called fenugreek and my utter shock at the realisation that my grandmother, mother and aunts use them daily,” Manek said.

The author and blogger has a firm online following – her Instagram is an aesthetically pleasing pin board of her creations, currently boasting over 17,200 followers – who delight in her approach to food, nutrition and health.

Manek’s yoga brunch classes, available to book on her website, are her latest project and she is eager to continue to promote a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Saffron Soul is available on Amazon, Waitrose and at most good bookshops. To find out more about Mira and upcoming events, including her Diwali on Dalloway Terrence supperclub, see her website: https://miramanek.com/

More For You

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

LONELINESS can affect people of all ages and backgrounds in different ways. Sukhvinder Kaur was deeply impacted by social isolation after her marriage broke down, leaving her alone with two young children.

Despite a happy upbringing, a supportive family, and a strong community network, she began experiencing uncomfortable thoughts that didn’t resonate with her, leading to increased isolation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world.

iStock

Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ashwini Gurujii

Ayurveda finds it origin in one of the four Vedas, the Atharvaveda. Brahma ji propounded the science of Ayurveda and passed it on to Daksh Prajapati, who gave it to Ashwini Kumars, the physicians of devas, and they gave it to Indra.

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world. The level of existence was so pure and selfless that diseases were unable to manifest then. The rishis of satyug realized that in the times to come, the thoughts of people are going to become so polluted that diseases will find the required environment to manifest and then the need of Ayurveda would arise, so Rishi Bharadwaj went up to Indra Dev and asked for this divine science.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why helping ageing parents is precious

As our parents age, we embrace new roles in their lives with compassion and care.

Why helping ageing parents is precious

AS OUR parents’ health begins to deteriorate, one of the hardest things in life is watching them age. Some can no longer walk for more than 10 minutes, and their memory isn’t what it used to be. There are also hidden complications associated with ageing.

I grew up in a working-class family. My dad was named Simba when he lived back in Zanzibar, Africa. He swam in the open ocean and ran for miles. The joinery skills he learned from his father have been passed down to my brother and me. My mum worked long hours sewing and in factories to provide for us, ensuring we had everything we needed. She also taught me never to rely on anyone for anything, which has shaped me into the strong, independent woman I am today.

Keep ReadingShow less
Spring-clock-change-iStock

Circadian rhythms regulate physiological processes in living organisms, including plants, animals, and even bacteria. (Photo: iStock)

How the spring clock change impacts sleep and health

EVERY YEAR, about a quarter of the world's population adjusts their clocks for daylight saving time (DST).

While it may seem like a small change, some experience fatigue, irritability, and brain fog in the days that follow. For night owls, the adjustment can take weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

Bring the past into the present for a richer celebration

Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

EID is a joyous time filled with unity, reflection, and celebration.

While the essence of the celebration has remained unchanged across centuries, the way this special day is celebrated has evolved, with many older traditions being replaced by modern practices and technological advancements.

Keep ReadingShow less