Julie Sahni, the doyenne of Indian cooking, has written, to my mind, the best offering in the 'Savoring' series of cookbooks. 'Savoring India' is not only a beautifully photographed journey into every corner of the sub-continent--it is also an in-depth, well written exploration of India's history, landscape, culture, customs, religions and, of course, its food.
Ms. Sahni's vast knowledge of every aspect of her subject makes the narrative an enjoyable read. The informative sidebars are chock full of interesting factoids about spices, cooking methods, utensils, Indian holidays and rituals.
And the recipes are to die for!
Intrigued by the name, the first recipe I tried was 'Richeiado', a Goan spiced rubbed shrimp dish. The recipe was easy to follow and the results were beyond belief. The shrimp were perfectly grilled, spicy and delicious. It's an unusual dish that you won't find on the menu of your local Indian restaurant. Then I tried the 'Aloo Gohbi'. In the hands of Julie Sahni this traditional cauliflower and potato staple becomes a paean to the magical simplicity of Indian home cooking. The vegetables meld perfectly into the subtle flavors of the turmeric, cumin and garam masala.
It seems that there is a fabulous recipe for just about every region of India. I'm looking forward to cooking and eating my way through all of them. If you love Indian food, (if you love food!)even if you are new to cooking it, 'Savoring India' is the book to own. It is a real feast for the body, mind and senses.