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The Pathshala Teachers' Conference enabled me to share my Jain community with Tom, and also with my mother. It was a touching, involving experience with a very diverse group, freely. exchanging traditional and radical ideas.
A few months later, Tom and I announced our wedding at a Jain group meeting. Tom and I were certain that we wanted to celebrate our union in the midst of our community here. We found ourselves planning a wedding, searching for a house and preparing for our new lives -- excited and always on the verge of being overwhelmed.
Just weeks before the wedding I got a call that I won't forget. For the fifth time that day, I was going over my wedding checklist, when I answered the phone and recognized Nalini Auntie's voice. "What job have you assigned to us?" she began. Something in me melted. Maybe it was all the delusions of self-sufficiency with which I had burdened myself. Here was Auntie, who knew me solely through the Jain group, reaching out to me. "Surabhi", she said, "everyone in the Jain group is ready to help. You have only to tell us what to do. We were hesitant to impose ourselves, but we kept wondering: 'How is this girl going to manage all by herself?""
Well the rest, as they say, is history. An after-dinner "planning session" followed. Madhuker Uncle and Khushal Uncle coaxed me into relinquishing my hyper-responsibility. And Ramesh Uncle gladly put his talents to work as our wedding coordinator. The Jain group was ready to help with organizing... set up... take down... serving food... getting me ready...performing.... loving advice. These endless acts of kindness are the wedding gift we can never forget.
And so, in this Souvenir of the Jain Group's 20th Anniversary, it seemed fitting to share the recipe for our wedding cake. I've also added recipes for other vegan desserts, including some Jain group favorites. Enjoy!
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too!
Over the years, I've had many requests for eggless cake recipes. So here they are! These delicious desserts contain no eggs, milk or animal products. Most of these recipes do not require special ingredients. One ingredient I keep on hand, though, is Ener-G Egg Replacer that can be used to substitute for eggs in baking. It is a powder that comes in a box and keeps forever in the fridge. If you are in a rush, just give Wellspring a call and order a vegan cake available in various flavors. If you have questions about these recipes or other baking ideas, feel free to give me a call at 919-858-0401(Surbhi).
c = cup, t = teaspoon, T = tablespoon
Ultra Orange Cake from The New Joy of Cooking - our wedding cake!
11⁄2 C 1 C It 1/2 t
1 C
all purpose flour
sugar baking soda
salt
orange juice
Jain Education International
1/3 C 1 T
1 T
1 t
vegetable oil
grated orange zest
white or cider vinegar vanilla
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