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Traditional Indian Restaurant Recipes => Traditional Indian Recipes => Topic started by: Bob_McBob on January 13, 2007, 12:31 PM

Title: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Bob_McBob on January 13, 2007, 12:31 PM
I'm interested in ordering one or two more Indian recipe books, and I'd love some suggestions.  I find any given book will have quite a few recipes that are pretty good, but perhaps one or two that I *really* like, so it is nice to grab a new book now and then :

Here are the books I have:

"50 Great Curries of India" by Camellia Panjabi.  This one has a lot of recipes I really enjoy (rogan josh and chicken pistachio korma in particular), but I find she concentrates rather a lot on lamb, which I don't often have the opportunity to cook.

"Classic Indian Cooking" by Julie Sahni.  This one has a huge selection of recipes, but I wish there were more meat recipes that didn't include things like cloves and cardamom, which I find often overpower the rest of the dish.  A lot of the vegetable recipes are quite good (the hot Hyderabad tomato chutney is absolutely to die for), and it is definitely a good overall resource for a wide variety of Indian cooking.

"Indian Cooking" by Madhur Jaffrey.  This one is a bit hit or miss, but there are lots of hits.  There are, however, a few recipes that always end up being crap, no matter how I make them.  I also find the selection of stuff a bit random, but again, most of the vegetable recipes are very good ("dry" okra and the black-eyed pea one).  It's too bad so few of the recipes are photographed like "50 Great Curries".  It's annoying when there's a huge photo of some random spice where a photo of the recipe itself could go!

There isn't really anywhere here that carries much in the way of Indian recipe books, so I would have to order online, which means I can't check them out beforehand.  I've been looking at "Classic Indian Vegetarian and Grain Cooking" by Julie Sahni and "Lord Krishna's Cuisine", but these are both vegetarian books.  I would like some suggestions for other authentic Indian books to try out.  I'm especially interested in chicken recipes, since I never have time to cook lamb or seafood :(
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Mark J on January 13, 2007, 03:03 PM
Hi Bob,

I've got a lot of curry cookbooks (dont we all  ;D) and would recommend the curry lovers cookbook by Mridula Baljekar. Good recipes, all with full colour photos showing final dish and stages.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 13, 2007, 03:14 PM
Why not try the original bible of curry recipes for the home AND restaurant chef; Mrs Balbir Singh's Indian Cookery Book.  No kitchen should be without it!  It was first published in 1961.  The famous group of Rajdoot Tandoori restaurants were the first to introduce Tandoor cooking in the UK, and their first retaurand (still there) was on Fulham Rd Chelsea in 1965 (I recall).  I became a personal friend of the Manager (Mr Brown) then and he and his chefs taught me a lot.  Mrs Singh's recipes where used for some of their dishes, and if you go to it or one of their sister retaurants in other cities you will taste the same exotic and delicious food.

I guess there will be an outcry that this is traditional not bir food in her book and I don't really care because I know otherwise, so there :P :P :P ;D

CP
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Bob_McBob on January 13, 2007, 11:22 PM
Now you have me interested, CP.  It looks like the book is well out of print, but perhaps I could pick up a used copy.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 14, 2007, 12:30 PM
I think Amazon(uk) can provide
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: spicysarsy on January 14, 2007, 02:34 PM
In agreement with Chilli Prawn, Amazon UK are excellent for back issue publications as I use them myself allot.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Bob_McBob on January 14, 2007, 04:00 PM
Amazon UK only has used copies, the same as Amazon and Amazon Canada.  It seems the last edition (HarperCollins) was published in 1981, with the last printing around 1985.  Apparently the 1975 edition added about 50 new recipes, so I guess I will be looking for one at least that new.  I usually buy used books from abebooks.

Could you possibly post a sample recipe from the book, CP?  I will probably order a copy today, it sounds pretty interesting.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 15, 2007, 10:47 AM
Bob I will try to help as soon as possible.  i just got back from holidays and have alot of things to catch up with.

CP
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Mark J on January 15, 2007, 09:03 PM
Just bought it from amazon  ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: CurryCanuck on January 15, 2007, 09:42 PM
Same here  ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 16, 2007, 12:16 PM
Quite frankly old chaps I am amazed.  I thought you may have pooh poohed the suggestion of this book, but I am sure you will love the outcomes - the flavours are magic and those of you old enough may recall the flavours when good quality BIRs first started.  Some of the recipes are quite daunting as they seem to contain so many ingredients, but perservere. 

You can modify some recipes as they were written in primitive times as it where so Mrs Singh didn't interfere with the originals too much to suit Western requirements. Example; she calls for Kachries in some recipes.  They (their enzymes) are used for tenderising tough meats  (the same enzymes were used by farmers in UK and Argentina prior to slaughter to tenderise the meat but this has been banned now).  The Kachri is a type of knobbly green Papaya and can be bought in Asian Grocers and occasionaly - supermarkets like Tesco.  I have tried using them and they do work and give a subtle taste to the meat.  Anyway, enough of the waffle.

Now before I get asked, The Tandoori group of restaurants did have pots of (curry) bases because I was shown them, but I have no idea what their composition was.  I suspect though they would be near Jaspers recipe as their bases were very mild but gently aromatic, they used a master base and two others I recall.  The types of sauces I use now came from these chefs, i.e. the onion barga base, tomato and onion base, plain onion base, fresh tomato pulp; also the GMs and basic spice mixes; all of which may have been sourced from Mrs B S!

You won't get results like your common or garden High St BIR, I think they are much better and you will like them for sure.  My book is covered in stains, especially where my favourites are!

Enjoy
CP
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: King Prawn on January 16, 2007, 03:37 PM
My book is covered in stains, especially where my favourites are!

Enjoy
CP

Hmm...There's an answer to that somewhere but I can't for the life of me think of it! ;) 8) 8)

KP(V)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 16, 2007, 04:36 PM
Hey Man that's funny.... oh that's funny.  ;D ;D :D :D Just re-read my post. :-[ :-[ :-[.  Mind you, whatever turns one on............ :o 8)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: King Prawn on January 17, 2007, 09:46 AM
Perhaps that bit was meant for a different group?  ;) 8)

KP(V)
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Mark J on January 18, 2007, 09:18 PM
Any recommendations from this book CP?
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 19, 2007, 12:02 PM
Hi Mark.  Assuming the page numbers are the smae, here are my favorites.
P45 KRJ - you can use Pataks Kasmiri Paste in this one.  P47 Doh Peeazah - use her GM. P49 Shahi Korma - the Bees Whotsists and a great family favourite. P54 TM use recipe Number 1.  P57 MM - this is what I mentioned way back was the inspiration for BIR CTM.

P60 -61 Both kebabs are very similar to BIR style, andvery tasty; a bit fussy ingredient wise but worth it.  The rest is up to you!  Also try her recipe for Gulab Jamun on P155.

That should keep you going ;D

CP
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Mark J on January 20, 2007, 09:15 PM
Tried the Shahi Korma tonight, it was superb!

4oz ghee, and 150ml of cream means this one isnt for the health conscious but it was very nice indeed, all the family loved it.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 21, 2007, 01:40 PM
Yep it is one of our favourites too.  Did you have any problems with the Rhu Kewra?

CP
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Mark J on January 21, 2007, 06:52 PM
I made a bit of a cockup with that, I have kewra water and rose water in 2 bottles, I accidently added rose water instead  :-\ luckily it turned out fine
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 21, 2007, 07:39 PM
Mark it is basically the same stuff, I think one is more condensed that the other!  ??? ::) ;D  I use both so it doesn't matter.
CP
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: tempest63 on January 23, 2007, 11:55 AM
Camellia Panjabis 50 favourite curries of India is a must. I don't feel that it over concentrates on Lamb dishes as it has a lot of chicken, fish and vegetable dishes within.

It is currently in its third (I believe) incarnation and comes with a DVD in side the front cover.

Although the book is my absolute favourited be warned that the recipes include a number of typos and need to be read carefully. I do not know if the current edition has edited out the typos and errors but I do have the first edition and the second and certain errors are copied in both books.

You should also be aware that a number of recipes from the first edition did not appear in the second but were replaced by others as listed below

Out-Kebab Curry.
In-Lamb Korma Pilaf.
Out-Lamb Curry with stir-fried spices.
In-Lamb with herbs and black pepper.
Out-Minced lamb with coriander.
In-Lamb with plums.
In-Goa Lamb Vindaloo.
Out-Chicken Korma with coriander leaves.
In-Green Chicken Korma.
Out-Red Chicken Curry.
In-Parsee red Chicken Curry.
Out-Goa Pork Vindaloo
In-Malabar Prawn Curry.
In- Prawn with Spring Onions and Fenugreek.
Out-Fish in Mustard Gravy.
Out-Soya Kofta Curry
Out-Okra in Yoghurt.
Out-Kashmiri-style Potato Curry.
In-Pineapple Curry.
In-Creamy Potato Curry

If you do a google search on the web or on google newsgroups you can find a number of the recipes that appear in the book(s) for you to sample.

TC
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Mark J on January 23, 2007, 09:23 PM
Ive got the version just before the dvd version and I have to say, great pictures and a great read but too many typos and ingredients that just dont get used!
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: tempest63 on January 24, 2007, 05:11 PM
The link below leads to a few recipes that are in Camellia Panjabis book and amply illustrate the typos and errors that are replicated in the book.

If you look at the recipe for the Chicken stew you are advised to Blend together the onions and green chillies. After blending them they are never again called upon. I presume you blend them and then leave them on the side until you do the washing up and throw them away.


http://www.uppercrustindia.com/10crust/ten/rec2.htm
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Chilli Prawn on January 24, 2007, 06:03 PM
HuHummm are we not drifting off topic  ??? ::) ;D
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Bob_McBob on February 03, 2007, 11:14 AM
Can you guys tell me which editions/years you ended up with?  I haven't got around to ordering my copy yet.  There are various editions and years available.  I gather the Mills & Boon printing is the original, and the Weathervane/etc. copies are reprints.  Are the reprints any good?  Also, apparently extra recipes were added after 1975, so I guess that sort of limits the choices available...
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: Bob_McBob on February 03, 2007, 11:28 AM
You should also be aware that a number of recipes from the first edition did not appear in the second but were replaced by others as listed below

My copy is fairly new, and it still has the "old" recipes in it.  I see there's a tenth anniversary edition (http://www.amazon.ca/Great-Curries-India-Tenth-Anniversary/dp/1904920357/sr=8-1/qid=1170501254/ref=sr_1_1/702-2323852-3186404?ie=UTF8&s=books) on sale now which seems to have the new recipes.  It's cheap enough that I may as well pick up a copy for some new recipes.

I doubt they've fixed any of the editing errors from the other editions.  I like to call it the "mystery ingredient".  In the pistachio korma it's the cream, which you apparently measure out and never use.  In the Sylheti red chicken curry you're told to put the tomatoes in, put the chicken in and brown it, then put the tomatoes in again.  It's pretty bad that errors like that have survived through so many editions.  Oh well, the recipes are pretty damn good if you pay attention and don't add the ~50 gallons of stock each one calls for.

I'm also going to grab a copy of "The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking".  Unfortunately, amazon.ca doesnt' sell it, so I will have to order from amazon.com, but it seems interesting enough to warrant it.  My dad is quite interested in Indian vegetarian cooking now.
Title: Re: Recipe Book Suggestions?
Post by: tempest63 on February 08, 2007, 08:23 AM
I managed a look at the latest edition. a number of the errors have been rectified but not all.

TC