Customer Reviews

Flavorful India: Treasured Recipes from a Gujarati Family (Hippocrene Cookbook Library)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have already tried several recipes from this book, including the chicken curry. The instructions were easy to follow and the recipes all look great. I also really enjoyed the information on Gujarat provided at the beginning. The detailed descriptions of the spices were very helpful!!

This is one of my go-to cookbooks for relatively simple, comforting south asian recipes. I'm a south asian woman and while I still aspire to my mother's expertise in the kitchen, I love to cook and share food with others. I'm not Gujarati so it was exciting to get this book and learn how to make some of the things my Gujarati friends' moms did growing up.

I think it's wonderful that the author brings in anecdotes from her family, and how they make certain foods and for which occasions. No book can capture the complete breadth of a culture's food because each family has its own ways of doing things, and I really appreciated that the author emphasizes this in the book. I think it's more useful and interesting to read a cookbook that reflects one family's interpretation of the culture's food than a book that attempts to capture everything (because, at least in the context of south asian food, that would be impossible).

I felt that this book was set up to feel like walking into the author's kitchen and learning how to make the dishes from her and the women in her family. It makes for a fun (and authentic) reading and cooking experience.

(ps: try the okra and potatoes! i've memorized the recipe!)

Flavorful India: Treasured Recipes From A Gujarati Family is a collection of authentic family recipes from Gujarat, a state in western India famous for its flavorful vegetarian dishes. An introduction to Gujarati culture and basic information about common spices, ingredients, and utensils in Gujarati cooking begins this cookbook of taste treats such as Sesame-Nutmeg Squares, Stuffed Banana Peppers, Chicken Biryani, Mango Frozen Yogurt, and so much more. Each recipe is prefaced with a tip about how to prepare it, where to find ingredients, or the ideal situations to serve it. An index for quick and easy reference rounds out this welcome contribution to internationally themed cookbook shelves.

Despite being a long-time fan of Indian food (ie, primarily take out and delivery) I'd always been intimidated to try cooking it myself. On the few attempts I made, the recipes were complicated and I had a difficult time finding the necessary ingredients. This cookbook was a welcome addition to my culinary library. Finally, a user-friendly book with great explanations, not to mention the personal touches added by the author about growing up in her Gujarati family. Some favorites of mine include the "Crunchy Snack Mix" and the fool-proof "Chicken Curry." I recommend this cookbook to anyone who's tired of generic Indian restaurant food and ready for some homemade treats!

I'm not familiar with Indian cooking, but thought I'd try this book/cuisine since I have a friend from this region of India and love her mom's cooking. From this book, I made my favorite dish, chicken biryani... and it was a true success! YEAH!

I've had a few other successes from the book, too. Nothing difficult, which was great, since I was intimidated to try a whole new cuisine. The spices and ingredients descriptions and photos really helped with grocery shopping.

From the time I was little, I can remember my grandmother making masala chai in the afternoons and pouring it out into little cups and saucers for my family to drink. I tried the recipes I found in this book for both chai and cardamom-flavored milk with my daughter and received her seal of approval. I thought that would be close to the limit of authentic Indian cooking that I can manage, but I was wrong!

One note here (and I can't stress the importance of this if you live in a small amount of living space, like I do): When you plan on doing vaghar, which is the spice infusion with oil, please, please make sure to open the windows, so that your home doesn't smell like spices for days on end. (unless, of course, you want it to!)

This book brings back fond memories for me, in that it describes many of the dishes that my family prepared when they first came to the US from Gujarat. The descriptions and methods shown in this book are easy-to-follow, and the guidance ultimately brings me to an end result similar to my mother's cooking (though it is highly unlikely that I will ever be able to do my mother's recipes the justice they deserve). The point is: I'm learning... and this particular cookbook has aided me greatly in doing so. It was an excellent read, and I can assure you that I will be trying more recipes from it soon!

By the way: If you're looking for a particularly yummy treat, try the bhinda shaak recipe with gujarati yogurt curry! One of my favorites when I was little and it's only gotten better as I age.

I have never been one to attempt cooking a new cuisine but I decided to give it a try after a friend recommended this book. I found it extremely easy to follow and it made me want to try new dishes! The explanation of spices was excellent and I really enjoyed the stories and backgrounds to the dishes. This cookbook has gotten regular use since I bought it!

This was a fantastic cookbook! My wife and I love Indian food and wanted to learn how to cook many of the same recipes that are in this book. Having been to India several times, I can honestly say that the recipes are authentic and represent the true spirit of Indian cooking. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has an adventurous culinary spirit.

I am not the type of gal who usually likes to cook but this book made me fall in love with my kitchen. The recipes are easy to follow, flavorful and fun. I knew a little about Gujarati traditions after visiting India last year, and book helped me dive further into this wonderful culture through all the great recipes and information about the special spices. This book is like taking a little trip to India, while enjoying the coziness of your home.

This is an amazing book, written by someone who obviously has a love for her culture. I recommended this book for anyone who enjoys Gujarthi cooking, and whats to take a shot at it. It makes a great gift too!