There's possibly no other country in the world that's as diverse as India. Thanks to its colourful history and influx of people from all over the world, India is today a glorious mix of religions, cultures, and traditions. Why does India have so many languages? What is 'Indian' food? How do people celebrate special occasions? Find out all about India's culture, food and people in this exciting book.
The extreme diversity of Indian food culture—including the dizzying array of ingredients and dishes—is made manageable in this groundbreaking reference. India has no national dish or cuisine; however, certain ingredients, dishes, and cooking styles are typical of much of the subcontinent's foodways. There are also common ways of thinking about food. The balanced coverage found herein covers many states ignored by previous food writers. Students will find much of cultural interest here to complement country studies and foodies will discover fresh perspectives. From prehistoric times there has been considerable mixing of cultures and cuisines within India. Today, the endless variations in cuisine reflect religious, community, regional, and economic differences and histories. Sen, a noted author on Indian cuisine, consummately encapsulates the foodways in historical context, including the influence of the British period (the Raj). Among the topics covered are the restrictions of various religions and castes and the northern wheat-based vs. the southern rice-based cuisine, with an extensive review of each regional cuisine with typical meals. She characterizes the only-recent restaurant culture, with mention of Indian fare offered abroad. In addition, the Indian sweet tooth so apparent in the dishes made for many festivals and celebrations is highlighted. The roles of diet and health are also explained, with an emphasis on Ayruveda, which is gaining support in Western countries. A plethora of recipes for different regions and occasions complements the text.
Though it's primarily Punjabi food that's become known as Indian food in the United States, India is as much an immigrant nation as America, and it has the vast range of cuisines to prove it. In Eating India, award-winning food writer and Bengali food expert Chitrita Banerji takes readers on a marvelous odyssey through a national cuisine formed by generations of arrivals, assimilations, and conquests. With each wave of newcomers-ancient Aryan tribes, Persians, Middle Eastern Jews, Mongols, Arabs, Europeans-have come new innovations in cooking, and new ways to apply India's rich native spices, poppy seeds, saffron, and mustard to the vegetables, milks, grains, legumes, and fishes that are staples of the Indian kitchen. In this book, Calcutta native and longtime U.S. resident Banerji describes, in lush and mouthwatering prose, her travels through a land blessed with marvelous culinary variety and particularity.
It's food week in Manuel's class. Each student shares his or her family's food traditions. Some eat noodles with chopsticks. Others use a fork. Some families eat flat bread. Others eat puffy bread. What foods will Manuel talk about?
India is a mix of many cultures and people, which means there are literally hundreds of reasons to celebrate! Have you ever wondered what Onam is all about? Why people eat hot cross buns at Easter? Are Pongal, Lohri and Sankranti all the same festival? Why do people fast during Ramzan? Get ready to find the answers to all of these questions and dive into the stories behind these festivals and many others.
A beautiful fiftieth-anniversary edition of the essential Indian cookbook—"the final word on the subject" (The New York Times)—featuring a new introduction by the author and a new foreword by Yotam Ottolenghi An instant classic upon publication, this book teaches home cooks perfect renditions of dishes such as Mulligatawny Soup, Whole Wheat Samosas, and Chicken Biryani, alongside Green Beans with Mustard, Khitcherie Unda (scrambled eggs, Indian style), and Nargisi Kofta (large meatballs stuffed with hard-boiled eggs). The “queen of Indian cooking" (Saveur), Madhur Jaffrey helped introduce generations of American home cooks to the foods of the subcontinent. In An Invitation to Indian Cooking—widely considered one of the best cookbooks of all time and enshrined in the James Beard Foundation’s Cookbook Hall of Fame—Jaffrey gives readers a sweeping survey of the rich culinary traditions of her home. Living in London and homesick, she was prompted to re-create the dishes of her Delhi childhood. Jaffrey taught herself the art of Indian cuisine and, in this groundbreaking book, she shares those lessons with us all. Featuring more than 160 recipes, the book covers everything from appetizers, soups, vegetables, and meats to fish, chutneys, breads, desserts, and more. From recipes for formal occasions to the making of everyday staples such as dals, pickles, and relishes, Jaffrey’s “invitation” has proved irresistible for generations of American home cooks. Beautifully redesigned—and with a new foreword by the author and a new introduction by superfan, Yotam Ottolenghi—and featuring Jaffrey's own illustrations, this anniversary edition celebrates An Invitation to Indian Cooking’s half a century as the go-to text on Indian cooking.
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'A love letter to Bombay told through food and stories, including their legendary black daal' Yotam Ottolenghi At long last, Dishoom share the secrets to their much sought-after Bombay comfort food: the Bacon Naan Roll, Black Daal, Okra Fries, Jackfruit Biryani, Chicken Ruby and Lamb Raan, along with Masala Chai, coolers and cocktails. As you learn to cook the comforting Dishoom menu at home, you will also be taken on a day-long tour of south Bombay, peppered with much eating and drinking. You'll discover the simple joy of early chai and omelette at Kyani and Co., of dawdling in Horniman Circle on a lazy morning, of eating your fill on Mohammed Ali Road, of strolling on the sands at Chowpatty at sunset or taking the air at Nariman Point at night. This beautiful cookery book and its equally beautiful photography will transport you to Dishoom's most treasured corners of an eccentric and charming Bombay. Read it, and you will find yourself replete with recipes and stories to share with all who come to your table. 'This book is a total delight. The photography, the recipes and above all, the stories. I've never read a book that has made me look so longingly at my suitcase' Nigel Slater
India is a land of staggering diversity where ethnicity, culture, religion and language come together in a dazzling kaleidoscope of humanity. The North, South, East and West have their own distinct cultures and almost every state has carved its own cultural niche. This book takes you on a magical journey of celebrating the vibrant cultural diversity of India. If you are an Indian, or a foreigner and are visiting India, it is important that you take note of certain things. INDIAN ETIQUETTE - A Glimpse into India’s Culture throws light on the culture, customs, language, society, manners, and values— all helping you to understand the people and the vibrant country of India! Experience the Magic of each state and Celebrate the Culture of India with our author, trainer, coach and consultant Ms. Niraalee Shah.
A New York Times bestseller—over one million copies sold! A National Book Award winner A Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live. With a forward by Markus Zusak, interviews with Sherman Alexie and Ellen Forney, and black-and-white interior art throughout, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike.
From the acclaimed chef and owner of Brooklyn Delhi, a debut cookbook focused on the celebrated vegetarian fare of South India. Lifelong vegetarian and chef Chitra Agrawal takes you on an epicurean journey to her mother’s hometown of Bangalore and back to Brooklyn, where she adapts her family’s South Indian recipes for home cooks. This particular style of Indian home cooking, often called the “yoga diet,” is light and fresh, yet satisfying and rich in bold and complex flavors. Grains, legumes, fresh produce, coconut, and yogurt—along with herbs, citrus, chiles, and spices—form the cornerstone of this delectable cuisine, rooted in vegetarian customs and honed over centuries for optimum taste and nutrition. From the classic savory crepe dosa, filled with lemony turmeric potatoes and cilantro coconut chutney, to new creations like coconut polenta topped with spring vegetables 'upma" and homemade yogurt, the recipes in Vibrant India are simple to prepare and a true celebration of color and flavor on a plate. Chitra weaves together the historical context behind the region’s cuisine and how she brought some of these age-old traditions to life thousands of miles away in Brooklyn during the city’s exciting food renaissance. Relying on her experience as a culinary instructor, Chitra introduces the essential Indian cooking techniques, tips, and ingredients you’ll need to prepare a full range of recipes from quick vegetable stir frys (corn, basil, and leeks flavored with butter, cumin, and black pepper), salads (citrus red cabbage and fennel slaw with black mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chile), yogurt raitas (shredded beets and coconut in yogurt), and chutneys and pickles (preserved Meyer lemon in chile brine) to hearty stews (aromatic black eyed peas, lentils, and greens), coconut curries (summer squash in an herby coconut yogurt sauce), and fragrant rice dishes (lime dill rice with pistachios). Rounding out the book is an array of addictive snacks (popcorn topped with curry leaf butter), creative desserts (banana, coconut, and cardamom ice cream), and refreshing drinks (chile watermelon juice with mint). Chitra provides numerous substitutions to accommodate produce seasonality, ingredient availability, and personal tastes. The majority of recipes are gluten-free and vegan or can be easily modified to adhere to those dietary restrictions. Whether you are a vegetarian or just looking for ways to incorporate more vegetarian recipes into your repertoire, Vibrant India is a practical guide for bringing delicious Indian home cooking to your table on a regular basis.
