Anjum's New Indian

I've heard numerous times that Indian food is easy to cook. I've heard it on Anjum's show and other places and I agree. Indian food is easy to cook, IF you can find the ingredients. Common sense dictates that since this is an Indian cookbook, she would use Indian ingredients. Surprisingly, I have found (and own) many ethnic cookbooks that offer substitutions to local ingredients in order to reach a greater range of people and skill-sets. Considering easy access [to ingredients] / easy to prepare is how she is promoted on the Cooking Channel, it is surprising that this is not the case with her book, so be prepared to plan your meals and even some internet searching to find the ingredients.The recipes in this cookbook require ingredients not found in common chain grocers, and substitutions, (lime zest for Kefir leaves) never leave a dish true to form. While substitutions do not generate authentic dishes, sometimes its more about enjoying what you have, expanding your palette and learning a new way to cook to the best of your resources. If that is the case, and semi-authentic is what you are looking for, this book is not for you.The index could also be expanded, its too limited when you are trying to understand some of the ingredients she uses.Quite honestly, if I had seen "India: The Cookbook by Pushpesh Pant" before I purchased this book, I would not have purchased Anjum's book. That book is phenomenal. (Also requires possible internet ingredient purchases)

Not having seen the TV series, I was surprised by the focus on celebrity implied by all the full-face glamour photographs of the chef. I found the pin-up girl aspect of the book extremely annoying. However, to be fair, the photography of the food was also very well done, which was appreciated.I found most of the recipes very tasty and satisfying; neither 'authenticity' (which I cannot judge) nor 'newness' (which I do not care about) were important to me. The level of expertise required is about that required by other serious Indian food writers such as Madhur Jaffrey. And yes, you do have to hit the internet to find kaffir lime leaves and asafoetida, etc., if you do not live in a city with Indian grocery stores. Perhaps this book isn't the best for someone beginning to cook Indian.Three stars = 'okay' because the cook book is one worth having if you can overlook the full-face dreamy-eyed photos of the cook. It just made me think she wasn't a serious professional.

I am no novice to Indian food. I was raised in a Pakistani family in Houston TX so there was an abundance of curry in my life. I have never owned an Indian cookbook. I always just winged it (Note: I am a young but very experienced cook). This book brought new flavors into my life! It's not just curry curry curry (which is why I never bought Indian books before).The cilantro chutney in this book is amazing and easy!The fried eggplant dish is so good and versatile. It's easy too (put some coconut or cilantro chutney on these little chips, yummmm)Her family's garam masala recipe is super easy and yummy spice.Another note: I live in West Virginia and cannot get all of the different kinds of flours and daals, etc. I just do without and it is still amazing.

Recipes have all been good so far. I especially like that it is not vegan or vegetarian and has options for adding animal based protein.

Having seen Anjum's program but once on television, I sought her books. This book I enjoy because it takes simple things, chicken for example, and provides recipe after recipe with a short paragraph on where in India the found is likely to be eaten, and features a color picture for nearly every recipe.

I don't really think its fair to blame the author if one decides to live in a region without an ethnic grocery store. You can easily order any spice you need off the internet anyway. The recipes are all very good. Healthy and flavorful. Yum.

I am part of a cooking club, and we have been focusing on Indian cuisine for the past 6 months. This book, filled with delicious and innovative recipes, has provided us with some great meals. I recommend it!

So far, so good!Hopefully will be easy to cook the recipes!

Terrific recipes - everything is bursting with flavour! From some of the other reviews, there seems to be some criticism that the recipes aren't quite authentic since they're not exactly BIR bog standard, but seriously they're none the worse for that. If you want BIR, (and there's definitely a place for that) go for a takeaway but if you want good, tasty, home-cooked food without slaving in the kitchen for hours you probably won't regret investing some hard-earned cash in this cookbook.

Great book, full of easy to use recipies, made alot over the last 18 months from this and not one bad meal!!!The food could not be more authentic, albeit with a modern twist occasionally.Highly recommended for anyone wanting to cook indian food

i really love this book, the recipes are so straightforward and once you have a decent spice supply you are on your way to eating the best indian food ever.

Really good book loads of recipe's that very easy

Great book