At Vij's, one of North America’s most innovative Indian restaurants, owner Vikram Vij and his wife Meeru use the freshest local ingredients and original ideas to create exciting new takes on the cuisines of India. Though far from traditional, the dishes remain true to one glorious hallmark of Indian cooking: fabulous spicing. Among the luscious offerings included here are yogurt and tamarind marinated grilled chicken, seared venison medallions with fig and roasted pomegranate khoa, and marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek curry. Vegetarian selections abound, with dishes like portobello mushrooms in porcini cream curry, coconut curried vegetables, and jackfruit with cayenne and black cardamom. Recipes for naan, chapattis, raiti, and other sides, staples, vegetables, and desserts allow readers to prepare an Indian feast from beginning to end. As beautiful and sumptuous as the recipes it contains, Vij's is a delicious manifesto for a new style of Indian cooking.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A. R. Tupper
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Vij's restaurant (Vancouver B.C.) has been one of my favorite placed to eat for some time now. For the money, you'd be hard pressed to find better food anywhere. Having said that, I was admittedly a bit nervous about trying to recreate any of these dishes in my own kitchen. I'd rate my self as a moderately skilled chef at best, and didn't know the first thing about preparing Indian food.
Anyways, I couldn't resist the temptation to try. My first effort was a cilantro-mint chicken curry. I must say it was incredible. The whole house smelled amazing while I was cooking. I invited my parents over to try the results and they couldn't stop commenting on how delicious the dish was.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Indian food and wants to try preparing it for themselves, or would like to add a few incredible recipes to their repertoire.
Anyways, I couldn't resist the temptation to try. My first effort was a cilantro-mint chicken curry. I must say it was incredible. The whole house smelled amazing while I was cooking. I invited my parents over to try the results and they couldn't stop commenting on how delicious the dish was.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes Indian food and wants to try preparing it for themselves, or would like to add a few incredible recipes to their repertoire.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Karthik R
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't usually write reviews [for cookbooks] but I just had to write one for Vij's book. I read a lot of cookbooks but I have never once been inspired or impressed with any book on Indian cuisine (except perhaps Chilis to Chutneys). This is the first one that really caught my attention and here's why: Vij's philosophy, much like early California cuisine, emphasizes the use of fresh local [north American] ingredients (many of which aren't normally used in Indian cooking). When cooked with fresh Indian spices, the results are just spectacular. I never thought Arugula, Kale and Butternut Squash would taste so good in an Indian curry. Even if you're vegetarian, many of the sauces [in the meat/poultry/fish sections] work just as well with Tofu or Paneer. The Seared venison medallions in a pomegranate curry, Striped bass in a sour cream curry, sauteed brussel sprouts and coconut chick pea flour curry are such wonderful treats for your senses.
The book is well-written with lots of pictures and clear concise instructions. I recommend keeping a good stock of fresh spices (especially Cumin, Coriander and black mustard seeds) before cooking with this book. I first read about this restaurant in the NYT last year and have been looking for a book since then. I am not the slightest bit disappointed.
The book is well-written with lots of pictures and clear concise instructions. I recommend keeping a good stock of fresh spices (especially Cumin, Coriander and black mustard seeds) before cooking with this book. I first read about this restaurant in the NYT last year and have been looking for a book since then. I am not the slightest bit disappointed.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By C. Sanders
Format:Paperback
I *love* Vij's restaurant, so I had pre-ordered this cookbook for myself and a friend. I find the recipes in this book very easy to follow, and they do not use a bunch of hard-to-find ingredients. I'm very pleased.
One warning - the recpie for "Goat or Lamb Curry" on pg. 80 calles for WAY TOO MUCH salt (2 TABLEspoons)!! Cut that in half or less when you make it. This must have been a misprint - maybe they meant 2 TEAspoons? Even that would be a lot. There is no way that much salt in correct, but I followed the recipe. If you could ignore the salt, the taste of the (lamb) curry was delicious.
I have also made one of the rice and cauliflower dishes - that was good, but then I like the taste of cumin.
The one I am really looking forward to making is the short-ribs dish. Vij told me that in the restaurant they cook the ribs at 200 degrees for something like 6 HOURS. The book calls for a more moderate time, like 3 hours. I'm sure it will be delicious.
One warning - the recpie for "Goat or Lamb Curry" on pg. 80 calles for WAY TOO MUCH salt (2 TABLEspoons)!! Cut that in half or less when you make it. This must have been a misprint - maybe they meant 2 TEAspoons? Even that would be a lot. There is no way that much salt in correct, but I followed the recipe. If you could ignore the salt, the taste of the (lamb) curry was delicious.
I have also made one of the rice and cauliflower dishes - that was good, but then I like the taste of cumin.
The one I am really looking forward to making is the short-ribs dish. Vij told me that in the restaurant they cook the ribs at 200 degrees for something like 6 HOURS. The book calls for a more moderate time, like 3 hours. I'm sure it will be delicious.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Best meal in Vancouver
Loved eating at Vij's a couple of years back while on summer vacation. Had to have the cookbook to recreate some of the wonderful dishes we enjoyed that evening.
Published 1 month ago by Gregory Spector
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mmm Mmm good
Some Indian cookbooks require you to almost double the spices to attain true Indian flavor. Not here. A friend loaned me this cookbook and now I have to buy one for myself. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Lance H. Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love everything I've cooked in this book!
My husband gave me this book after I asked him for a cookbook of Indian food. At first I was a little disappointed because it didn't seem like food you find in a traditional Indian... Read more
Published on April 28, 2011 by Marjorie_O
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Cook Book for first timers
This is my first review on amazon in ages (if ever). I felt the need to say that if anyone is hesitating to buy this book because they think it may be advanced, i can assure you it... Read more
Published on March 18, 2010 by Thomas M. Hall
3.0 out of 5 stars
Predominantly restaurant food, but nicely done.
I have to say that I appreciate this book and that it's well done, however I find the dishes to be more eclectic and individualistic interpretations of this kind of cooking than... Read more
Published on January 26, 2010 by jim_nc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent!
This is a brilliant book. I have been cooking Indian food for over 30 years, and this book has totally changed the way I think about Indian cooking. Read more
Published on November 18, 2009 by Lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice recipies
Tried a couple of the recipies from this book, all very enjoyable. Really like the curry chicken and mango lassi. Also, I like the photos, make me want to cook each dish. Read more
Published on February 5, 2009 by I. Aleksandrov
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enough to make me want to go to Vancouver and try the place
This book was a gift from my in-laws (who live in Vancouver) to my wife with an invitation to come visit and go to the restaurant together. Read more
Published on October 27, 2008 by Persnickety one
1.0 out of 5 stars
A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT
I have never been to the restaurant so I was thrill to see this cookbook. I cooked many dishes from the cookbook for my 50th birthday party. Read more
Published on September 18, 2008 by A Foodie from Seattle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vij Family's Chicken Curry is AWESOME!
I made the Chicken Curry on page 92 and it was a unique experience. Just once in a while, you make something with such magnificent depth and flavor you wonder how it wound up in... Read more
Published on July 7, 2008 by Thomas A. Johnson
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