Garam Masala Tuesdays (kind of): Eggless Coconut Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

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Eggless coconut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting | The Novice HousewifeSo I am aware that I am kind of cheating by sharing this recipe for eggless coconut cupcakes under Garam Masala Tuesdays.  “Kind of” because I have a reason why I am sharing the recipe today so it is not entirely cheating. But cheating nonetheless because we all know that cupcakes are anything but Indian.

Yes, you might have Indian spices inspired cupcakes- but cupcakes in general are not Indian and they can not be categorized as Indian.

Which actually led me to think- are there any traditional Indian desserts that are baked? I had a hard time coming up with any that is baked and maybe I am overlooking something obvious, but would the Indian readers of this blog let me know of traditional Indian baked goods if they think of any. The ones that I can think of are either fried or cooked. The closest I can think of a baked dessert is shahi tukda, where you fry bread (which has obviously been baked before) and serve it with flavored thickened milk. Other than that I draw a blank. What about you?

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Tofu Burger on Homemade Spinach Buns

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Tofu Burger on Homemade Spinach Buns-1

So as I mentioned before I have been struggling with writing posts these days. And I feel really bad because I have a ton of great recipes in the line up. But I just cant think of what to write.

Yup, there are certain things going on- I am going to India soon (and am pretty pretty excited about that!). I am also making sure I lose weight before I reach India, lest my mom comments that “what have I done to my body!” like she did the first time I went to India after marriage. That means gymming in the morning and running in the evening. But the chocolates in the house really aren’t helping. Whatever I burn by sweating I gain by eating the darn chocolates. Each time we go to the grocery store V really tries to dissuade me from buying them because he knows I will come back to him later and blame him for letting me go through the whole packet of peanut M&Ms on my own (but oh gawd they are sooooo good, and yes I am that kind of wife- I blame my husband for EVERYTHING). Of course I don’t listen then or to the voice in my head telling me not to eat any and end up eating and then regretting. I know, I have zero self control. I blame V!

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Cheesecake Factory’s Avocado Egg Rolls

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CheeseCake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls #copycat #recipe by the Novice Housewife

Before leaving for Canada, on a trip to my favorite antique place an hour away from where we stay, I got a good deal on a second hand copy of Todd Wilbur’s copycat recipes. The moment I got it I instantly bookmarked the recipes I wanted to try. One of the recipes I adapted for my Bruschetta post. The other, I am sharing today- Cheesecake Factory’s Copycat recipe for avocado egg rolls.

To be honest I have never tried the avocado egg rolls at the Cheesecake Factory. But the description of the recipe and the ingredients in its dipping sauce- tamarind, cashews, honey sure intrigued me to give it a try.

CheeseCake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls #copycat #recipe by the Novice Housewife

I made these egg rolls for the coffee I hosted the Friday that went and my friends really liked them. Then I made them again the next day and V really liked them. As for me, if something is fried, I always like it. Plus, I love avocado. And sun dried tomatoes. And tamarind based dipping sauces. Plus, I love it when things that I love come together pretty quickly as well. Bottom line, I love them!

There is hardly any prep required. The only part that I don’t like is the chopping of the onions- which left me in tears, like it always does. But besides that, the pre-prep is a breeze. And  you have delicious egg rolls in no time.

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