Lockdown. First there was shock, then boredom. Mumbai has never been inert, even in worst of disaster times. Come rains, riots, bomb blasts - Mumbai has seen it all and survived. Mumbaikar can never sit at home, idle. But now, there was no choice. This was pandemic and a forced isolation. Everybody under house arrest.
But luckily, food scene did not suffer. In fact, food took the centre stage, it was the only commodity that was available. But it had to be cooked at home. No restaurants, no street food was available. Everybody was cooking at home. Those who could not cook, learnt, and those who were not able to, had neighbours and well wishers who cooked for them.
And thus, there was rise of home chefs...Saviours specially for the seniors and for the sick.
Food community of India is very strong. They support each other with guidance and appreciation. City was closed. So what? They could still communicate via social media. There were Webinars, Zoom meetings and Insta-lives. The food community became stronger. ‘The FBAI’ headed by Sam and Saloni Malkani kept everybody united, (like always) encourage them. Every year, under normal circumstance, all the food community met under one roof to celebrate ‘HomeChef Matter’ But this year, there was virtual celebrations in collaboration with Vikhroli Cucina (Godrej Group). 30+ home-chefs across India created innovative recipes from the comfort of their home kitchen and awards were given to many Home Chefs across India.
Malavika Unni is one such baker to have bagged this award.
Malavika Unni (of goana_bakes fame) has been baking professionally since last seven years. She considers herself an accidental baker! She never entered the kitchen while growing up unless asked to help since she was more of a workaholic. But her mom however is a excellent cook/ baker so that definitely made her a foodie. “I feel that you need to enjoy your food to understand it!.” she says
Her interest in baking actually started during her pregnancy years. Due medical reasons she had to quit her full-time job and she found herself restless on being house bound. “So I can now relate to how many people have turned to baking during this lockdown!!” she says. During her pregnancy she used to crave for Christmas cakes. She had moved to Mumbai from Kerala after marriage and other than her work life, she didn't know much about the city. She asked around for some traditional Christmas cakes but failed to find one. So she decided to make it on her own.
Starting point was easy with her mother's cookbooks and the internet. She baked more for family and friends, she gained the confidence to expand. But before starting it formally, she wanted to gain some professional education. So she went to the Academy of Pastry Arts for a short term course covering French pastry, cake decor and plated desserts.
Apart from seasonal cakes, Malavika Unni specialises in celebration cakes customised for any occasions - weddings, birthdays, anniversaries etc. Most of her cakes are as per design and she is very artistic and innovative.
She believes strongly in her cakes as being authentic as can be “The cake world has two sides ..the baking/taste part and the decoration. I believe that there should a right balance in both. It should be a treat to the eye as well as to palate! It is also important to understand the client and ensure that their requirements and expectations are met properly.”
She got recognised for her work this year when she bagged the e-award for ‘Home Chefs Bakers Award’
“I was pretty shocked actually..wasn't expecting it to be honest. Its also humbling to be recognised by your peers.” She says when asked about what was her reaction on receiving this award.
She savours the fond memories of Christmas Cakes that she received every Christmas in her home town. “My first memory of cake is the Christmas fruit cake or plum cake as we used to refer to it. Based in Kerala, my father had friend who would send across a Christmas hamper every year with home grown spices, cashew and a plum cake. This was a simple cake with no icing or decorations but the memory of this perfect spiced cake filled with fruits and nut is still a vivid memory. Funnily enough this cake was also the reason behind my entry into the baking world.”
Malavika is happy to her share her Egg Free/Alcohol Free Xmas Cake
1. Soak the fruits overnight in fruit juice. If you haven't soaked, you can boil fruits with the juice for 5 mins and let it cool.
2. For soaking use 1 ¾ cup mixed Dry Fruits. You can use a combination of sultanas, seedless raisins,currants & candied citrus peels. If you are using dates/apricots/ figs etc; chop it into small pieces.
3. 1 cup Apple Juice/ Orange juice (you can use fresh or ready packed juice)
4. Reserve 1/4 cup of juice to adjust the batter consistency.
5. Preheat the oven @ 180 C, and line a 6 or 7 inch tin with parchment paper on the base as well as the sides.
6. Just before making the cake, drain the fruits and keep aside. Grind together 1 Clove, a small piece of Cinnamon and 2 Cardamoms with a tsp of Sugar and keep aside.
7. Sift together 200gms all purpose flour, ½ tsp Baking powder, ½ tsp Soda Bicarbonate.
8. add Spice powder (prepared in step 6).
9. Whisk the 85gms softened Butter and 1 cup Brown Sugar till light & fluffy.
10. Add ½ cup whisked Yogurt & ½ tsp Vanilla essence and mix well. Batter might look curdled at this point, but it comes together after adding the flour.
11. Fold in the sifted flour in two batches.
12. Coat the drained fruits with 1 tbsp flour before adding to the batter. Fold in the drained fruits.
13. If the batter feels too thick, you can add a bit of juice to bring it to a dropping consistency.
14. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake in the preheated oven till a tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Bake for first 10 mins at 180 and then bring down temp to 150 degrees.
15. The timing can vary from 25-45 mins, depending on the size of the tin used
16. Cool the cake completely before slicing.
17. You can store the cake in at room temp for 2/3 days. If you are living in a very hot or humid place, you may refrigerate the cake after 2 days.
Follow her Insta handle at @goana_bakes to see her beautiful and innovative creations
