Menus and Memories from Punjab: Meals to Nourish Body and Soul (Hippocrene Cookbooks) [Hardcover]

Veronica Sidhu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2009 | Series: Hippocrene Cookbooks

Arranged in a unique menu format, this cookbook takes the reader on a nostalgic culinary journey through Punjab. It features signature village recipes like Buttermilk Stew with Vegetable Pakoras and the famous Saag and Mukke Di Roti (Stewed Mixed Greens with Corn Flatbread), as well as recipes from a Maharajah's table such as a stunning Roast Leg of Lamb and Royal Bread Pudding. A colourful historical vignette or family anecdote introduces each menu, bringing the culture and cuisine of Pubjab alive for readers.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 470 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books (August 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781812208
• ISBN-13: 978-0781812207
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > Asian > Indian

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Wonderful Book, December 20, 2009

By 

J. Baird "organic_champ" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Menus and Memories from Punjab: Meals to Nourish Body and Soul (Hippocrene Cookbooks) (Hardcover)

I bought my copy several months ago, and I have been thoroughly enjoying this book. As others have mentioned, it is more than just another cookbook, it captures the spirit of Indian cooking with plenty of recipes set against the backdrop of Veronica's life experiences. One thing that I look for in any good cookbook is detailed recipes that can be reproduced in a home kitchen. The recipes here are clearly described, and can be prepared by someone with little prior experience in learning Indian cooking. I prepared "Cheese Squares in Creamy Gravy, Khoa Paneer" on page 91 for a party at work, and my coworkers simply raved about this recipe.

This book makes a great gift, and I recently ordered a copy of this book for my friend who is battling obesity. Although many of the recipes are very flavorful and rich, there are plenty of recipes here for someone who wants to make tasty, healthy food.

I looked for a book like this for a long time- I'm delighted I found it, and it carries my highest recommendation.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos for Rani's Punjabi Cookbook, September 21, 2009

By 

Neva Sachar - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Menus and Memories from Punjab: Meals to Nourish Body and Soul (Hippocrene Cookbooks) (Hardcover)

Just received my copy of "Menus" and couldn't put it down. Read right through Rani's entire memoir as told in conjunction with tempting new-to-me recipes. But this is more than a cookbook. It is the gripping lifestory of a beautiful, innocent American/Irish/Hungarian girl who goes off with her baby son to live with the family of her Sikh husband in rural Punjab, India in the mid-1960s. Learning to cope with the clash of cultures and deeply immersed in the forefront of the Easternization of the Western world movement (still so revalent today), Rani shares her wisdom garnered through a lifetime of travails. In dealing with devastating loss, she shows how to stay in the present, the here and now, that comes from nourishing meals for the heart and tummy. As she says, "A healthy body is integrl to a balanced spiritual life," and vice versa.
Now, I'm off with my shopping list of new ingredients needed to satisfy my much anticiipated new taste delights, like Kewrda flavor, fenugreek leaves, rose syrup and the wonderful cardamom spices and lots of other goodies.
signed -- [...]

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DEFINITION OF SUBLIME: CHOCOLATE BURFEE, October 12, 2009

By 

Judith Newman Podlesny (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Menus and Memories from Punjab: Meals to Nourish Body and Soul (Hippocrene Cookbooks) (Hardcover)

Definition of SUBLIME! : VERONICA'S CHOCOLATE BURFEE

Right before a cooking class in Rani's kitchen, I reached across the table and picked up a square of what looked like chocolate fudge....As I put it into my mouth, the chocolate touched my tongue and melted into almonds and cherries and this wonderful mass of sweetness. Ah, heaven!

It was my introduction to the Indian sweet Burfee! But how did Veronica come up with this amazing candy? I reached out to take another piece and discovered that half the plate was gone......did I do that? And she made it in only 12 minutes? Impossible! Now how do I take the rest of the plate with me? Veronica seeing the look on my face promised she would make some more for me to take another time.

Well, true to her word, one day after a lunch filled with more amazing recipes she had prepared for my welcome, she produced a box of chocolate burfee and told me it would last up to 6 months in my freezer! Hah! Little did she know! It was so delicious that first one piece then another slipped out of the box into my hands and mouth! In less than a week I had promptly eaten everyone in every way possible!

I have made fudge in my lifetime but never did it taste "sublime" before. Yes, that recipe is in Rani's cookbook. (My copy is here at last! ) Her mango rice pudding!? I usually hate rice pudding, but after 3 bowlfuls, I promptly and unabashedly asked to take all the leftovers home! Do you get the idea these recipes are amazing!?

Yes, this is a cookbook unlike any other....and here I am a simple American girl in love with Rani's Indian cooking. Now all my friends will love these recipes as well. They are simply extraordinary!
I urge you to buy this cookbook and I guarantee you will be licking your fingers as you read!