Community Lunch with Sundeep

Born into a Punjabi Sikh family with roots in Kenya and India, my journey with food began at the side of my mother, a radiant, artistic soul whose hands carried ancient knowing. Her cooking was never hurried. It was rhythmic, loving, intentional. Through her, I learned that preparing food is not just a task but a sacred act of presence and prayer. I carry her energy into every dish I prepare. Spices are measured by intuition, not spoons, and meals are offered not just for taste, but for healing. My approach is deeply rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda, the rituals of my ancestors, and the soulful flavours of Punjab. I cook with loving hands and the unshakable belief that nourishment is medicine and food, when offered with devotion, is a form of love ~ Sundeep Kaur Sitara.

We’re so lucky to have the wonderful Sundeep providing catering at Hidden Acres Festival. The hearty vegan and gluten free lunch will be incredibly nourishing, made with fresh ingredients and care, to gently support your body, aid digestion, and honour the sacred ritual of receiving food with love. Here is our bespoke menu, created especially for our event.

Red Split Lentil Dal ~

A golden healing dal full of warmth and nourishment, gently simmered with love and ancient wisdom. Infused with turmeric, this dal becomes a healing elixir. It supports the joints, calms inflammation, and awakens inner clarity with every spoonful. To begin, mustard seeds (rai) are cracked open in hot oil. They stimulate digestion, clear stagnation, and bring warmth to the belly and brightness to the mind. Fenugreek seeds (methi) follow, bitter and grounding. They steady blood sugar, ease bloating, and gently support the body’s natural detox. And then, fresh curry leaves (kaṛī pattā), aromatic, iron-rich, and deeply nourishing, are tossed in to lift the senses, strengthen the hair, cleanse the liver, and offer a crisp, citrusy grace to the whole pot.

Chickpea Curry (Cholay) ~

A slow-simmered Punjabi classic, rich with memory, earth, and the deep rhythm of spice.The base begins in the way I was taught, by watching my mother’s hands move with devotion. Onions caramelised, slow and golden, to strengthen and ground. Garlic to warm the blood and awaken the immune fire. Ginger, the great harmoniser, relieves bloating, moves energy, and soothes inflammation with its sweet heat. Freshly ground coriander seeds release their citrus breath. They cool the system, aid digestion, and calm the mind. Cumin joins in, aromatic and dry, kindling the digestive flame and absorbing toxins. Then come the queenly spices of heritage: cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Warming, uplifting, and full of scent and flavour. The chickpeas (cholay), soaked and softened, become little vessels of strength. They are protein-rich, fibre-filled, and support energy, hormones, and deep satiety. Cooked with patience and spiced with reverence, this curry is more than a meal. It is a memory-laden dish of devotion, carrying the stories of my lineage in every fragrant spoonful.

Fragrant Cumin Basmati Rice ~

Each grain long, light, and fragrant. This is not just rice, but a gentle offering of softness, breath, and balance. Cooked with a touch of cold-pressed oil and whole cumin seeds (jeera), crackling gently to release their earthy aroma, they awaken digestion, calm the belly, and carry the wisdom of Ayurvedic kitchens. Basmati, the queen of rices, is low in starch and sattvic in nature. It nourishes without heaviness, cools the body, soothes the mind, and pairs perfectly with warming dals and curries, offering lightness where the spices bring deep flavour. Simple. Humble. Yet deeply healing. This rice holds the memory of my childhood plates, where the steam rose like a morning prayer, and cumin seeds whispered softly through the kitchen air.

Seasonal Salad with Beetroot, Carrot & Toasted Sesame ~

A vibrant salad bursting with colour and crunch. This salad is a breath of freshness between warm, spiced dishes. Cooling, cleansing, and full of life. An assortment of seasonal leaves, rich in chlorophyll and minerals, supports gentle detox and uplifts cellular vitality. Grated beetroot, grounding and blood-building, meets carrot, sweet and eye-brightening. Together, they nourish the liver, purify the blood, and bring brightness to the plate and the body. Toasted sesame seeds, rich in calcium and good fats, add warmth, strength, and a subtle nutty crunch. They are known in Ayurveda to strengthen bones and lubricate the joints. Finished with a squeeze of fresh lime, which is alkalising and cleansing, and a drizzle of cold-pressed olive oil to soothe inflammation and carry the nourishment deep into the tissues. Light, sattvic, and full of prāṇa. This salad is a celebration of the earth’s simplicity. Crisp, juicy, alive.

Sundeep: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558966563404