Bean and Lentil Loaf (gluten-free)

On my last trip to the local library I leafed through some cookbooks in search for inspiration and found this great recipe in Anne Sheasby's book "High fibre cooking". I'd wanted to try a meatless loaf for a long time but never found a good recipe and this one looked very promising. I made a few modifications because the original recipe is not vegan or gluten-free and loved how the loaf turned out. I greatly enjoyed the crispy crust and the inside held together very well. The loaf was full of flavour, moist, with a good bite to it. The recipe is very easy to make, with a basic preparation and ingredients that are widely available. This is a great way to incorporate high-fiber, nutrient-dense foods into one's diet. The loaf can also be served on a special occasion, thanks to its festive appearance.

Mango Bread

The recipe for this luscious, moist mango bread comes from one of my favourite vegan food blogs - Holy Cow!. I found it shortly after going vegan and it became a great source of inspiration. Vaishali, the blog's author, takes us on a fascinating culinary journey around the world, featuring mainly traditional recipes from various regions in India. But she offers a lot more than just delicious vegan recipes, and that includes valuable information for new vegans, nutrition, animal rights, travel, traditions, book reviews, exciting giveaways and roundups.

Mango Cake (semolina)

Some of my earliest memories are connected to old Indian movies - dramatic, tear-jerking stories of love and family, tradition and culture, and happiness celebrated through music and dance. It wasn't until 1998 that I discovered the magical world of spices and the endless flavours that make Indian cuisine unique.

Indian sweets rely on semolina, besan, vermicelli, rice, carrots, mangoes, pistachios, almonds and dairy to deliver unique tastes and textures and are commonly flavoured with rose water, saffron and cardamom. Not many fruits are found in typical Indian desserts and among them mango is the most extensively used. It gives each dish a gorgeous yellow/orange colour and a deep fruity taste. Before finding this recipe on RedChillies I'd only had mango in the form of smoothies and juices. A quick scan of the ingredients and I was immediately hooked: semolina - one of the best things ever created.

Cinnamon Swirl Loaf

Here's another quick-n-easy recipe, this time for the cinnamon lovers. This cake is so delicious, moist and full of flavour, it's perfect for a Christmas gift. I love to sit in the kitchen while it bakes and breath in that amazing aroma. Did you know that smelling cinnamon helps improve your brain function and memory? I didn't. And do you know what "true cinnamon" is? You can read my notes on Carrot Cake to find out more about it and its many health benefits.