Pure and Simple: Homemade Indian Vegetarian Cuisine by Vidhu Mittal, Sanjay Ramchandran (Photographer)

Product Details

Library Journal

This colorful, accessible cookbook by a noted Indian cooking teacher and food writer demystifies Indian cuisine for American home cooks with clear, simple instructions accompanied by step-by-step photos. Following an illustrated introduction that covers spices, vegetables, legumes, techniques, and equipment, the recipes focus on delicately spiced dishes rather than stereotypical hot flavors. Especially appealing are drinks like Tender Coconut Cooler (or Daab Shikanji), made with coconut water, lemon soda, black salt, honey, coconut flesh, cilantro, and papaya. Although aimed at cooks new to Indian cooking, the text assumes that readers know how to crack a coconut and separate the water from the flesh. And some ingredients (such as black salt) may not be readily available. For those interested in adding a colorful side dish to their repertoire or creating an entire Indian vegetarian meal, this is the perfect guide.