A cookbook is a passport to other countries and other times and other lives. It is the one book that will always have a happy ending. I discovered the transporting magic of cookbooks very early on. My mother had remarried and moved us to San Diego during the summer before my senior year in high school with the promise that I could return to Northern California to finish my senior year. But I had to stay with her, in San Diego, for the summer. An older friend presented me with a going away gift of The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas. I spent the summer reading it from cover to cover. At 17, I could have cared less about vegetarianism. This cookbook introduced me to a world that was the polar opposite of the one I had grown up in. It was more than a collection of meatless recipes. It opened a window to possibilities. Its descriptions of well planned meals and bread making reminded me of the comforting times I had spent in my best friend Elizabeth’s kitchen where order ruled supreme and a three course meal was on the table every night promptly at 5:30. It gave me something to aspire to. In short, it was a book that helped me get through a summer of home sickness and teenage angst by transporting my imagination.
The next cookbook to affect my life in a profound way was The Silver Palate Cookbook. This cookbook is the diary of what I cooked in the 80's. Here were the tasty dishes that I imagined sophisticated New Yorkers purchased on their way home to their Brownstones or Park Avenue Penthouses. As you can see my image of Manhattan was informed early by multiple viewings of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ and ‘The World of Henry Orient’. A Culinary Muse Time Capsule circa 1986 would include a copy of Woody Allen’s ‘Hannah and Her Sisters’ and the recipe for Chicken Marbella. I did visit the Silver Palate store on the West Side one sweltering summer day. As with many things in life the store was much smaller than I had imagined. In fact the word ‘tiny’ comes to mind.
There have been other cookbooks that I have enjoyed since the 1980's. My copy of The Barefoot Contessa’s first cookbook is full of food splattered recipes. Still the best roast chicken recipe in print. But until last month, nothing has stirred me or pointed me in a different culinary direction in the way that the new cookbook 5 Spices, 50 Dishes: Simple Indian Recipes Using Five Common Spices by Ruta Kahate has.
I enjoyed a cooking class at Ruta's Indian Kitchen in Oakland at a press event hosted by Chronicle Books. (Thus the pictures of the Muse knocking back a glass of bubbles with friends Marcia from tablehopper and Lisa from tuttifoodie).
I love going to Indian restaurants but I have never seriously considered cooking Indian food at home. The number of unusual ingredients involved seemed daunting. I am sure that I am not alone. Ruta has addressed this dilemma by developing recipes which require just a few key spices along with easy to find ingredients and cooking methods.
I have spent the past month cooking my way through the book with great joy. I have asked Ruta ingredient questions via email. She is charming and funny and a good teacher. Her fine cookbook is opening up the door to India's cuisine in such a welcoming, easy way. Best of all, I finally got to shop and not just browse through BOMBAY BAZAR on Valencia Street. With my cookbook tucked under my arm I strolled around and found the five spices: coriander seeds, cumin, mustard seeds, ground cayenne and turmeric. Everything I needed for less than $10.00. I now have at least a six month’s supply. What great prices, too. Cardamom that would cost $7 for a small jar at Whole Foods was $2.00 for three times as much at Bombay Bazar.
My husband can’t seem to get enough of the Black-eyed Peas in a Spicy Goan Curry and neither can I. The Sauteed Beets with Mustard and Lemon joined us at our Fourth of July picnic. I have made what seems like gallons of the Cardamom Chai. This book is a keeper.
Hi,
Nice blog on vegetarian cooking and review of Ruta's book Simple Indian recipes. I enjoyed it. It is good to know that you actually prepared and enjoyed some of the recipes.
You may want to review the Indian sauce at
http://www.amruthamfoods.com
Kris
Posted by: Kris Manian | July 18, 2007 at 02:10 PM