Masala & Meatballs: Incredible Indian Dishes with an American Twist

Asha’s debut cookbook is packed with all the wholesomeness, approachability, and charm that fans of her blog Food Fashion Party have come to love. I’ve anticipated this book for few years and not surprisingly, it 100 percent delivers. The recipes and photos perfectly echo Asha’s taste and aesthetic, while providing new and exciting dishes for the beginner and advanced cook alike. I can’t wait to get in the kitchen and try everything.Asha has created sophisticated, beautiful recipes that are simple enough for a family weeknight dinner but special enough for entertaining guests. I can honestly say I’m looking forward to cooking regularly from this book. A lovely medley of beautiful photographs and easy-to-cook recipes entices you to get in the kitchen and cook with gusto! So far I’ve tried the spinach fritters, peppery chicken liver stir-fry, potato and chickpea burger and spiced chickpea pancake from this cookbook and all of them were lip-smacking delicious!!! I can’t wait to find time to try out all the other yummy recipes from this cookbook.Also, don’t forget to checkout her blog Food Fashion Party and her Instagram account for tons of inspiration and several tasty recipes. The “ricotta cocoa waffles” from her blog are my 6 year old’s all-time favorite and I always make a double batch and have them in freezer for weekday breakfasts. Asha is such a sweet soul and patiently responds to all my questions and comments despite being the busy person she is. I’m beyond happy and excited for her on the launch of her first cook book and my heartfelt wishes to Asha for her success in the years to come.

I read and buy lot of books - paper back, hard cover and Kindle too. But not really write a review about them.However, this stunning book by Asha - is extraordinary! I had to review it.I am a big fan of Asha's blog. The moment she announced that 'Masala & Meatballs' is here for preorder, I bought it. I knew I would have to wait approx. 2 months for it. And when it arrived in mail, I knew it was definitely worth the wait!The book is filled with amazing recipes bringing out the best of both Indian and American cuisine. It is a blend, an amalgamation. As she says in the book, you would not want to call it as "fusion". Her interpretation or her take on traditional Indian recipes is fortunately, very simple. The recipes - ingredients, instructions everything is beautifully simple. You can easily jump in any section and try out any recipe.Navigating through the book is easy - there are sections detailing breads, breakfast items, starters, veg mains, meat mains, desserts, sides and drinks. A complete book. You can easily make a fancy or a simple complete meal with the help of this one.The pictures by Alanna (The Bojon Gourmet)- are beyond words. The stories - are so relatable.Overall, it is an amazing cookbook, a good read and a breathtaking picture book!I already know what I would be making tonight :)Do buy it, it's worth it!!

This book is absolutely stunning…..a real keeper! I had pre-ordered my copy as soon as I heard about it and this book is everything I expected and more. Have been following the author’s blog for many years now and being an Indian and a foodie, had always marveled at how cleverly she brought together Indian ingredients and other cuisines. The recipes in the book are just as creative – chutney sandwiches with goat cheese spread, po’ boy with fried shrimp, apple-cardamom funnel cake, coconut-jaggery bread pudding! The recipes are uncomplicated and easy to follow and the photography is jaw-dropping gorgeous! And a really special part of the book are the little gems of stories that are a joy to read and also give context to the recipes. Being a vegetarian, I was particularly thrilled to see so many vegetarian recipes and have already bookmarked a bunch to try out. It’s a book you will love to go through and cook from…….highly recommend getting it!

This is such a GORGEOUS book! The author, Asha Shivakumar is the creator of the highly popular food blog "Food Fashion Party" which I've been following for years. The book is filled with warm and loving food memories as it relates to all aspects of her life; her childhood and present day family life. The recipes are a wonderful mix of her South Indian heritage and American classics. For example, I love how she adds chaat masala and red chili powder to a mushroom and chive omelet- delicious! Her flavors are bold without being overpowering and the book includes creative recipes that are both sweet and savory. I am new to South Indian home cooking but all the recipes look easy enough to try. The photography is absolutely stunning and make leafing through this book a pure joy. You really feel like you get to know the author- her love of food and flavors shine through in every page. A must buy!

Asha's baby, Masala & Meatballs is a visual treat, an eye candy if I may call it. The pictures taken by Alanna (The Bojon Gourmet) are beautiful. They're a work of art in the real sense.Asha has her favorite Indian dishes in there, and has presented them so uniquely that it is almost unimaginable. I am a fan of her work @foodfashionparty and I must tell you that she is one of the warmest and kindest souls I have known ! Masala & Meatballs is more than just a cookbook; I think it is her food journey from as early as her early childhood days in India. Each recipe has a story to tell which you will absolutely enjoy while you figure out which dish to try first. I know I have my favorites sorted and ready to try soon. All you food enthusiasts, go order your copy NOW !

I found this book to be much more than just a cookbook. It’s a book filled with amazing stories, the recipes and beautiful photography. Feels so warm and makes us want to cook and enjoy the moments. So many different kinds of food that is not usually seen in other cookbooks. I made a shrimp and the taco, both so good. The green curry with fish is on my todo for this week. This book was a wealth of family, love and food. I have learned so much from this book. It is truly a wealth of information beyond what I ever imagined. I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to know about Indian food varieties. The instructions given for the recipes are very detailed and are easy to follow. They give plenty of explanation for the beginner novice wanting to learn to cook delicious Indian cuisine.

This cookbook is approachable and the recipes are actually something you will make...and then make again. If you love Indian cuisine, buy this. I have made the basic the apple chutney, so easy and so impressive. I just made her chickpea fries and we couldn't wait until dinner, it was that good. The author has made is sound easy and it rightfully is. I made the first recipe the pancake, so flavorful with the jaggery, I tried the TAMARIND chicken, nothing like i've ever tasted before. Love the flavors, I will make both of these again. The great thing about the recipes are, they aren't so wild that you can't imagine making them, they sure look fancy.The ingredients are easy to find. The techniques are simple enough for the home cook.

Lovely book. Mouth watering recipes with lovely pictures.Clear and simple instructions for making mouth watering dishes. Unique fusion of Indian and American cuisine.A must buy for any food lover.