Book Description
In her most comprehensive volume yet, Madhur Jaffrey
draws on more than four decades of culinary adventures,
travels, and experimentation for a diverse collection that
both intrigues and delights the palate. Dishes from five
continents touch on virtually all the world's best loved
flavors, for a unsurpassed selection of vegetarian fare.
More than 650 recipes exemplify Madhur's unsurpassed ability
to create simple, flavorful homecooking that is well within
the reach of every cook. Extensive sections on Beans,
Vegetables, Grains, and Dairy explore the myriad ways these
staples are enjoyed worldwide. Each section opens with a
detailed introduction; Madhur describes methods for
preparation and storage, as well as different cooking
techniques and their cultural origins. Throughout she
balances appealing, uncomplicated dishes such as sumptuous
omelets and rich polentas with less familiar ingredients such
as green mangoes, pigeon peas, and spelt. Madhur demystifies
the latter with clear-cut explanations so that incorporating
new combinations and interesting flavors into everyday
cooking becomes second nature. She also offers substantial
sections on Soups, Salads, and Drinks, as well as Sauces and
Other Flavorings, to help round out a meatless meal and add
exciting new flavors to even the most easily prepared dishes.
Finally, a complete glossary of ingredients and techniques
clarifies some of the little-known elements of the world's
cuisines so that even the uninitiated can bring the flavors
of Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and more to their
tables.
Throughout this extensive collection, Madhur includes
personal anecdotes and historical contexts that bring her
recipes to life, whether she's remembering field of leeks she
saw in the mountains of northern Greece or describing how
corn-based dishes arrived in Indonesia through colonial
trade. Committed vegetarians will rejoice at the wide variety
of meatless fare she offers, and nonvegetarians will enjoy
experimenting with Madhur's global flavorings. This highly
readable resource promises to be a valuable addition to any
cook's library, helping everyone make healthful ethnic foods
a part of everyday cooking.
