Walnut Raisin Cake

The New Year is here. Although we couldn’t see it very clearly when it came (the fog caused it, not the spirit), it did eventually dawn on us. We went on a really long drive to Karnal, gave our car for servicing and headed towards The Haveli for lunch. Hot sarson ka saag with makke ki rotis, some paneer methi malai (a dish I have vowed to recreate at home) with tandoori rotis and some namkeen lassi to end the meal.

I am so glad we started the year with a long drive. We barely took any trips in 2008 and we’re determined to go out and see more of this part of the country before we head back south, whenever that is.


Here’s a simple cake that seems perfect to welcome 2009. The recipe makes two cakes, so you can keep one and give the other away, spreading some cheer along the way. (It is actually a walnut raisin cake, but I had some chopped apple that I had to use up, so I threw it into the batter.)

3/4 cup Milk
1/2 cup Oil
1/4 cup Apple(optional)

1/2 cup Walnuts

½ cup Raisins
2 cups Flour
1 cup Sugar
1 tbsp Baking powder

1 tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1/4 tsp Salt

Heat oven to 350 F. Prepare two 8" cake tins by greasing and flouring.

Mix milk, oil, vanilla and egg in a large bowl until well blended. Stir in the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Beat until well blended. Add the raisins, walnuts and aples , if using. Pour the batter into the two cake tins. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Here's to a safe and contented 2009! My heartfelt wishes to you and yours.