A Taste of India

Book excerpt: Since its publication in 1985, Madhur Jaffrey's A Taste of India has become the definitive Indian cookbook and is now reissued in a reduced-format paperback edition. Madhur Jaffrey uses her vast knowledge and descriptive skills, together with a wealth of superb photographs to set the foods of her homeland in their regional context. A Taste of India is a magnificent book, spiced with anecdotes and personal reminiscences, which conveys all the colour and diversity of India's rich culinary heritage. From the mountains of northern Kashmir she has selected a sweet pumpkin and walnut chutney that is served at wedding banquets; from the dry plains of western Saurashtra a deliccious savoury cake made from a batter of rice and split peas. Dishes like these, together with many other sweets, snacks, breads, roasts, skcwered kebabs and pilafs, form an exhaustive collection of recipes that will satisfy the most experienced cook and enthusiastic beginner alike.