Top 6 Indian Cookbook Authors

“I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.” - Julia Child

It’s probably very surprising that the famous chef Julia Child started cooking only at the age of 32!! Just goes on to show that you don’t need to start training at the age of ten! Lots of young people these days start learning to cook only when they’re out of the confines of their homes and are left to fend for themselves. And in such instances, one always prefers to go to the experts for guidance!

Indians generally prefer simpler flavors, made with fresh and authentic ingredients. Yet, cooking in India has seen a new surge of popularity, in no small measure due to the MasterChef series. Fusion dishes are emerging as the world gets smaller and young chefs are making their mark. We’ve decided to put the spotlight on some of these chefs and since today is World Book Day, we’re going to focus on the top 6 Indian cook book authors. Read on to see if you can spot your favorite!

1. Tarla Dalal 

 

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It is unlikely that there is a home in urban India that doesn’t have a Tarla Dalal cookbook! After selling over 3 million books, Tarla Dalal has become an icon of sorts, especially for vegetarian Indian cooking. Though she died in 2013, her legacy continues through her website, books and magazine, and is still the first spot for Indian recipes.

2. Sanjeev Kapoor

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Sanjeev Kapoor is the man who brought the treasure of good cuisine into our living rooms, through a show that is considered the longest running of its kind in Asia! He has a huge number of accomplishments to his name, including restaurants across the world, a TV channel and a huge number of books in various languages.

3. Nita Mehta

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After Tarla Dalal and Sanjeev Kapoor, the next name that comes to mind when one thinks of Indian cooking is Nita Mehta, who’s published a whopping 400 books on food! She has won awards and is a regular on TV shows, going on to open a culinary academy and publishing house, all by herself!

4. Vikas Khanna 

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Vikas Khanna is probably the person who made cooking look attractive, both in India and abroad! With a pleasing personality, he is a favorite on international TV and is also known for his humanitarian efforts. A Michelin starred chef, Vikas Khanna has a number of books to his credit, including ones for kids!

5. Madhur Jaffrey 

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There aren’t too many people who can have two careers, both equally successful. Yet, Madhur Jaffrey is one such incredible person! A successful actress, she is also a noted culinary expert with several award winning books on Indian cooking under her belt. She started out as a person who nearly failed cooking at school to be known as an ‘actress who could cook’ to receiving an Order of the British Empire for her culinary contributions!

6. Thangam Philip 

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International chefs usually create wonders with the raw materials on hand, but not all of them think about their hungry brothers and sisters around the world. Thangam Philip is one such person, who was faced with the challenge of creating alternate menus for the Annapurna cafeteria chain in Delhi during the famines of 1950. She has written a number of books on food, and one of them is even a prescribed textbook for hotel management institutes in India.

The lives of these famous chefs are nothing short of inspirational, having overcome many challenges to reach the heights of their careers. So this World Book Day, pick up one of their books and browse through some traditional Indian deliciousness!!

7 Healthy Breakfast Options for the Busy Individual

7^th April is observed as World Health Day, and the focus this year is on safe food. Safety of food can be of two kinds – one is keeping food safe from contamination and germs, through proper cooking and preservation, while the other is regarding minimizing synthetic modification of food from its natural source.

As the world gets smaller and people busier, time has become a valuable commodity, and the first casualty of a time crunch is usually a person’s health, which is actually his true wealth! This lack of time has resulted in a slew of ‘ready to eat’ or ‘instant’ foods, which are laden with preservatives.

For most people, the busiest time of the day is the morning before they set out for work or school, and hence breakfast is the meal that suffers the most. Ironically, it is also the most important meal of the day! This explains the large range of instant breakfasts available today, which aren’t necessarily in tune with what our bodies need. So, this World Health Day, let’s try and improve our breakfast habits with quick, yet nutritious breakfast options, made with authentic, safe and unadulterated ingredients.

1.    Banana Walnut Oatmeal

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• 1 banana sliced
• ¼ cup oats
• Milk
• Sweetener of choice
• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
• 1 tbsp chopped dates

Cook oats according to package instructions. Add milk and sweetener as required. Stir in the banana, dates and walnuts. The oats and walnuts will keep you full, and the banana will give you energy for the day.

2.    Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

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• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup milk
• Sweetener of choice
• ½ tsp cinnamon

This one’s for a really busy day! Blend all the ingredients together and pour into a tall glass. Freeze the banana for a ‘slushier’ effect. Peanut butter has healthy fats and cinnamon gives the smoothie an extra zing; top with pieces of chopped chocolate for a treat!

   

3. Masala Scrambled Eggs

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• 2 eggs
•  ¼ onion, chopped
•  ½ cup chopped vegetables – capsicum, mushrooms, spinach
• Pinch of black pepper
• Salt to taste

Sauté the vegetables in a frying pan and beat the eggs in a bowl. Pour the egg mix on the vegetables and keep stir frying till completely scrambled and cooked. Add seasoning. Serve with toast or in a chapathi like a roll. This is a good filling breakfast that’ll keep you running till lunchtime!

4.    Cheese and Vegetable Grilled Sandwich

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• 2 slices of whole wheat bread
• ¼ cup grated low fat cheese
• Sliced cucumber and tomato
• 4-6 Black peppercorns, crushed
• Pinch of oregano

Scatter half the cheese over one slice of bread and arrange the vegetable slices on top. Sprinkle the oregano and pepper, top with remaining cheese followed by bread and grill. Serve right away with tomato ketchup. A delicious breakfast that’s also a hit with the kids!

5.    Fruit Yogurt

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• 1 cup low fat yogurt
• ½ cup chopped soft fruit – mango, peach, banana
• 2 tbsp sliced almonds, toasted
• Honey

Take a tall glass and layer half the yogurt on the bottom. Top with half the fruit and 1 tbsp almonds. Repeat all the three layers again, drizzle some honey and serve with a long handled spoon. A perfect breakfast for summers, this is almost a dessert! The soft fruit goes great with the crunch of the almonds.

6.    Nut and Vegetable Upma

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• ½ cup dry roasted semolina
• ¼ onion, chopped
• ¼ tsp mustard seeds
• ½ cup chopped vegetables – carrots, beans, peas
•  2 tbsp halved cashew nuts
• 1 tsp ghee

Temper mustard seeds in ghee, and sauté the onions and cashew nuts followed by the vegetables. Pour 1 cup water with salt and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and cook for a few minutes till all the water has been absorbed. Serve with tomato sauce or chutney. The cashew nuts add a nice crunch and contribute to the satiety of the meal.

7.    Whole wheat Banana Pancakes

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• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3 tsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 130 ml milk
•  ½ cup mashed banana

Mix all the dry ingredients, make a hole in the center and break the egg in it. Add the banana and slowly pour the milk and whisk to form a smooth batter. Pour a ladleful of batter on a griddle and cook on a low flame till bubbles appear. Flip and cook on the other side. Serve pancakes stacked with honey or maple syrup drizzled over. This is a quick breakfast for weekdays and a favorite with the kids!

With so many quick and easy options like these, there aren’t any more excuses for not having a nutritious breakfast in the mornings! Just be sure to use the very best ingredients for food – your health and your taste buds will thank you!

Which of these options did you like the most? Have you tried any of them before?