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Poornima's Recipes

Cookbook Reviews

The following are some of the books I actually own and/or have read all of the books and tried some of the recipes mentioned in the book.

New Indian Home Cooking- By Madhu Gadia
Synopsis:

Madhu Gadia brings us cooking secrets handed down through generations of her own family, modified for today's healthy and hectic lifestyles. She dishes up more than one hundred traditional recipes from appetizers to desserts plus: sample meal plans, time saving tips, vegetarian meals, nutritional analysis for each recipe, glossary of cooking terms and ingredients and more...

What I say:

And if you are calorie conscious this book is for you. Recipes are easy to follow and for each recipe she gives a short description and nutritional analysis. Recipes are well categorized as Rice, Dal, Vegetables, Fish, Meat... This book also has a word about Diabetes and Weight-Loss Diets. Another best part I liked is, nutritional overview of Indian meals which lacks in many Indian cookbooks.

Curries and Bugles - By Jennifer Brennan
Synopsis:

The distinctive aromas of simmering curries, the fading notes of a bugle from a distant parade ground - these punctuated the vivid tableau of life of the British Raj in India. What the Sahibs and Memsahibs ate, how they lived and entertained are explored with affection, humor and nostalgia by the author, a sentimental personal record and cookbook. From simple family meals to Raj at tea-time, weddings and club dinners, the textures, the colors and tastes of India as the British found it and changed it, are evoked with wit, warmth and intelligence.

What I say:

The author of this book takes us to the British Raj era. This is a memoir than a cookbook. Though there are many recipes in between the narration. A fascinating cook book set in between the historical and social contexts.

Yamuna's Table- By Yamuna Devi
Synopsis:

Healthful vegetarian cuisine inspired by the flavors of India -says the book.

The author of Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking has created more than 200 vegetarian recipes inspired by the flavors of India and by our contemporary need for  light, healthful, vibrantly flavored foods. With the seasonings like aromatic cumin and coriander, citrus juices, ginger, chilies, fennel and mint, combined with fresh fruits, vegetables, greens and legumes, Yamuna Devi transforms our palates with imaginative and lively new dishes.

 What I say:

Award-winning author 's this book is totally adopted to blend Indian cooking with Western cooking. Most of the dishes are appears to be Indian, but can be said as fusion cooking rather than authentic Indian cuisine. Good book for anyone who likes fusion cooking.  This book has many baking recipes(rice pulavs, side dishes), I tried some and they turned out well. Many dishes are given with the blend of available vegetables like asparagus, avacadoes those are not traditionally used in Indian cooking. Book is well categorized and has little explanation for each recipe.

What Einstein didn't know- By Robert L. Wolke

Want to get some scientific answers for questions like why copper bottom is good for cooking? How food is cooked in microwave?  Why oil is slippery?...

This chemistry professor and Washington post food section columnist helps to understand the science behind the day today aspects. This is a great book to get scientific answers to some common food questions.

Classic Indian Vegetarian and Grain Cooking - By Julie Sahni:  

Synopsis:

This book begins with a simple explanations of the ingredients and techniques characteristic of this cuisine. From this book alone you will become master both of india's wonderful curries and of the many new varieties you will now know how to create yourself. In addition to a through going mastery of cooking with curry, this book provides a complete experience of India's incredibly varied vegetarian and grain dishes.Julie provides an abundance of chutneys, pickles, breads, rice dishes, dals, vegetable side dishes, yogurts, salads and volcanically hot condiments.

What I say:

Huge collection of Indian recipes from north, south, east and west with detailed description about the place, people and food. I tried some recipes and they came out nicely. A very well written good book.

Classic Indian Cooking - By Julie Sahni:

This is especialy designed for American kitchen and is similar to the above book with little changes here and there.

Madhur Jeffrey's Spice Kitchen - By Madhur Jeffrey
Synopsis:

Sweet, sensuous, fragrant, pungent, exotic and vivid all of these are words that describe the wonderful flavours of Indian food. With mouth-watering dishes,from lamb stewed in coconut milk, cloves and cardamom to chutney with the fresh coriander, mint, and lemon juice to caramelized cardamom apples with pistachio cream, Jeffrey expertly guides the reader through the exotic and heady flavours of Indian food.

What I say:

This is really a very small book. Simple explanation on Indian spices and there is at least one dish for every spice.

Madhur Jaffrey's Quick and Easy Indian Cooking - By Madhur Jeffrey:
Synopsis:

This book includes over seventy recipes  for delicious dishes that can be prepared in under thirty minutes - the perfect solution for busy cooks. Jaffrey shares her secrets for sumptuous curries, hearty legumes, mouthwatering chutneys and relishes, refreshing drinks and heavenly desserts - all spiced with the fabulous flavours of India.

What I feel:

I tried some recipes from this book, tasted good. But vegetarian dishes are limited. Also there is a menu list, some techniques and notes about Indian pantry.

The Indian Spice Kitchen - By Monisha Bharadwaj
Synopsis:

Indian cuisine is a swirl of textures and flavours, mysteriously fiercy yet beautifully subtle. Here in simple step- by- step instructions is everything the western cook needs to make delicious foods golden with precious saffron, aromatic with tamarind, or lush with the heady fragrance of turmeric, mustard and chillies. The recipes include India's most prized dishes and arranged by featured ingredient in a full range soups, breads, vegetarian and meat dishes, beverages and desserts.

What I say:

This book has to offer lots of beautiful photos along with information about spices, how it grows, how to buy, it's medicinal and culinary use with one dish for every spice. Good informative book on Indian spices. Also one or two recipes for each spice with photos.

100 Rice Varieties (vegetarian) - By Mallika Badarinath .
Synopsis:

This book consists all varieties such as pulav, fried rice, mixed rice varieties, sweet rice varieties, spicy biriyani types etc. Some of Andhra special varieties of 'Mix and Eat' (with white rice) powders and different types of "Raitha's" recipes are also included.

What I say:

This is yet another simple recipes book. Most of her recipes are easy to follow and comes out correctly up to the expectation. In her book you will find only recipes, no other regional explanations. Much suitable for the people who just want recipes. Her books are available in English, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

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