Classic Indian Cooking
Author: Julie Sahni
This extraordinary cookbook, Classic Indian Cooking, amounts to a complete course in Indian cuisine. Elucidated by over 100 line drawings, it systematically introduces the properties of all the basic spices and special ingredients of Indian food, then explains the techniques employed in using them, always with the help of comparisons to familiar Western methods.
It is immediately obvious that Indian food is rich and varied, yet not difficult to prepare. The cooking principles are basic and wellknown. The utensils needed are few and simple. As Julie Sahni says, "If you know how to fry, there are few tricks to Indian food." Every recipe has been especially designed for the American kitchen -- practically all the ingredients can be found in any American supermarket and there are scores of time-saving shortcuts with the food processor and handy directions for ahead-of-time preparation.
Following a lively and absorbing introduction to the history of India's classic Moghul cuisine, Julie guides the cook through the individual components that make up an Indian meal. She begins with delicious appetizers like Crab Malabar and Hyderabad lime soup; continues through main courses, both nonvegetarian and vegetarian (this book is a treasure trove for the non-meat eater); goes on to all the side dishes and traditional accompaniments, from spinach raita and lentils with garlic butter to saffron pilaf and whole wheat flaky bread; and ends with the glorious desserts, like Ras Malai, sweetmeats, and beverages. Clear, illustrated, step-by-step instructions accompany the cook through every stage, even for making the many wondrous Indian breads, both by hand and with thefood processor. And at the end of each recipe are balanced serving suggestions for every kind of meal, Among the many special features are ideas for appropriate wines, a useful spice chart, a complete glossary (which might also come in handy when ordering in Indian restaurants), and a mailorder shopping guide that will make Indian spices accessible anywhere.
Most important, Julie Sahni imparts the secrets to mastering the art of Indian cooking. Even the beginner will quickly learn to move within the classic tradition and improvise with sureness and ease.
Julie Sahni has written a masterpiece of culinary instruction, as readable as it is usable, a joy to cook from, a fascination to read.
Interesting book: Cappuccino Espresso or Pizza
Eat Taste Heal: An Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living
Author: Thomas Yarema
Eat Taste Heal is a groundbreaking work within the field of holistic health and nutrition, written by a medical doctor, a patient, and an acclaimed chef. A complete guidebook and cookbook in one, Eat Taste Heal demystifies the ancient healing science of Ayurveda, humankind's most ancient system of healthy living. The aim of the book is simple: to create harmony within through using common foods and healthy lifestyle practices as medicine. The collection contains over 150 cross-cultural recipes and received a Maverick Award for excellence in photography.
The authors are a unique trio: physician, patient, and chef. Dr. Thomas Yarema M.D., director of the Kauai Center for Holistic Medicine and Research, created for his patients an understandable dietary program rooted in common sense. Daniel Rhoda, a patient who found healing through Ayurveda, demystifies the ancient science that helped restore his health. Chef Johnny Brannigan, an internationally trained Ayurvedic chef, has created more than 150 recipes to empower individual healing through the exploration of taste.
Publishers Weekly
Holistic physician Yarema, patient Rhoda and chef Brannigan contribute their individual perspectives on India's ancient medical science, ayurveda, to this attractive volume. Introduced to the system by different routes (disillusionment with Western medical practices, illness and transcendental meditation, respectively), the authors detail an array of ayurvedic techniques (diet, breathing, meditation, exercise, aromatherapy). Much more than a cookbook, this guide can serve as a complete introduction to ayurveda. Readers will learn how to identify their ayurvedic type; detect and treat imbalances and illness; select foods, daily routines and activities best for them; adapt to seasonal and aging patterns; and, most importantly, put the power to heal in their own hands. Based on cuisines from around the globe, the recipes demonstrate how to vary ayurvedic meals to nurture each of the ayurvedic types. The tempting selections include Roasted Sunflower Pate, Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce, Seared Sesame Trout with Coconut Curry Sauce, and Mango and Passion Fruit Cheesecake. The recipes are easy to follow and require little preparation time. The authors stress that adopting an ayurvedic lifestyle requires time, commitment and much self-inquiry, but make an enthusiastic and persuasive case for doing so. Color photos. (Jan. 25) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
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