8 Award-Winning Indian Food Books To Finish Before You Step Into 2020
Almost 4 months & 10 days to go before you step into the new year. And, while these months are a little lazy (monsoons) and a whole lot of festive (with Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussera, Diwali, Christmas and New Years), we have some free time on our hands. Staying indoors with a cosy little blankie with a cup of coffee or tea and a good book to read in the spot you love so much does sound like an amazing idea. And, these are not only books but food books that will not only definitely change your perspective about the way you eat but also how you see it has also won Gourmand Awards in different categories. If you agree that there's nothing better than a good food book that talks about so much more than just recipes, this one is for you.
1. Tiffin by Sonal Ved
Vogue's Food Editor, Sonal Ved has chronicled her food journey into untapped regions of India bringing out lesser-known recipes from the Malwa region, Spiti valley and Rann of Kutch to name a few. The entire book comes together with contributions from chefs, home chefs, caterers and housewives. With this 500 pages book, she emphasises on various community specific dishes from the Kayasth, Syrian Christians and Konkani Muslims households which makes it an interesting read. It won an award in the best Indian Cook Book Category. If you're new to cooking, the glossary at the end of the book proves to be quite obliging. Buy the book here.
2. The Flavours of Nationalism: Recipes for love, hate & friendship by Nandita Haksar
A lawyer and teacher by profession, Nandita Haksar, pens down a food memoir highlighting the association of food with politics and preconceptions. The most interesting part of the book is the surprising food trivia references she throws in which are not only fun to read but informative too. As accurately described by
3. Farm to Fingers by Kiranmayi Bhushi
Taking the farm to fork movement ahead, Kiranmayi Bhushi won the Gourmand award under the sustainable category for her acute focus on the elements of food practices in contemporary India. If you're keen to understand the political, social, technological, innovations and climatic conditions happening in the current-state of India, this book is definitely worth a read. Buy the book here.
4. The Goa Portuguesa Cookbook by Deepa Suhas Awchat
This book by Deepa Awchat is the culmination of all veg and nov-veg recipes from the restaurant in the same name, Goa Portuguesa that completes its 31 years of existence this year. You're in for a trip around Goa's rich history and culinary traditions with this book that has all recipes-vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood. With this book, she also breaks stereotypical notions about Goan food being all about the fish and pork while having absolutely no room for vegetarian recipes and also that of Goan food being high on spice and vinegar. Buy the book here.
5. The Diary of the Domestic Diva by Shilpa Shetty
A book that shared quick and hassle-free methods of cooking healthy, nutritious and delicious meals won the Gourmand Award in the celebrity chef category. With the aim to cook good food at home with cooking tips and tricks to making things from scratch rather than ready made foods, this book is for anybody and everybody who wishes to try their hand at cooking. Buy the book here.
6. The Everyday Healthy Vegetarian by Nandita Iyer
If you're looking for interesting yet delectable ways to cook your vegetables, this recipe book comes in handy. She unapologetically busts the myth of healthy food being tasteless and expensive. With her concept of healthy eating, she curates recipes that have good carbs and healthy fats, answering doubts a lot of us generally have about eating nutritious food. Buy the book here.
7. The Flavour of Spice by Marryam Reshii
If your love affair with spices fades away into oblivion, this book is meant for you. The basic crux of this book tells you no matter where the spices came from, we've inculcated it in all things sweet and savoury. Indians have embraced the complexities of spices only to bring out the balance in dishes that now is appreciated all over the world. She highlights the beautiful journey of spices that are mainly eaten in India and all you can do is soak up all that information because it is more than just fascinating.
8. Chutneys, adding spice to your life by Aparna Mudiganti Parinam
Chutney is a condiment we Indians love to gorge on because without it, food tends to get boring. Coming in all forms of flavours-sweet, spicy, salty, bitter, tangy and textures of mushy, liquid or chunky, it manages to bring food together. Through Aparna's book, be sure to be engulfed by chutney recipes from an Andhra household that have been passed through generations in her family. Buy the book here.
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