The Cafe Spice Cookbook: 84 Quick and Easy Indian Recipes for Everyday Meals

by Hari Nayak, Jack Turkel (Photographer)

This easy-to-follow Indian cookbook allows home chefs to recreate their favorite dishes with delicious results.

The Cafe Spice Cookbook presents delicious Indian recipes featuring all-natural ingredients that enable one to create delicious meals in minutes. It is inspired by the Cafe Spice line of "grab n' go" Indian meals found in Whole Foods and Costco, and now on college campuses across the U.S.A.

This Indian cooking book provides you with all the instructions you'll need to prepare healthy Indian food anywhere and anytime, using ingredients available at any supermarket or health food store. Tempting offerings like Chicken Tikka Masala and Shrimp & Mango Curry will thrill your friends and delight your family.

Favorite Indian recipes

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Indian Literature, Food

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Min · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always looking for new recipes for my favored cuisines, and came across this one at my library. This offers a different perspective from the recipes I've made before. There is a reliance on creating the sauces oneself without relying on a jarred sauce. That is the best way to control one's favored flavors, and tight control on the heat level.
This is a modern variation that offers the modern American palate a means to try a fusion of Indian flavors, and techniques.
A few of the spices may be difficult to acquire, but happily options are increasing online.

This was a fun book to explore that definitely covers more ground than the local Indian restaurants.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a professional chef, the author has a different definition of quick and easy. Has some decent recipes, some which are fusion style. Very few of these are quick though and there're no notes on if they make good leftovers, etc.

[Sandra Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy Indian food, though I don't make it very often partly due to the length of time so many of the recipes take. I love this collection of delectable Indian dishes that are also easy to make in a relatively short period of time. A lovely, fragrant Lentil and Spinach Soup can be ready in as little as 45 minutes, South Indian Cabbage Slaw in 15, Milk Dumplings in Saffron Syrup (a favorite of mine!) in just 40 minutes. Now, in the age of instant everything, those may not sound like fast meals, but for an authentic, home-made Indian dish it's really good.

There is such a lovely assortment of dishes to cook here. Gorgeous color photos are scattered throughout for a significant number of the recipes. Be brave! Make your own spice mix (recipes are included) and choose a lovely Indian dish to make today.

I received a copy of this book from Tuttle Publishing for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author really tries to find ways that cooks can make Indian recipes in the American kitchen. The author comes up with creative ways to make various items. For example, Naan is usually made in a special oven. The author discovered a way to make Naan using a cast iron pan.

[Rachel Mc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has wonderful descriptions of Indian ingredients, techniques, and the history of each recipe. However, I only have three stars because of the layout of the book - many pages have black font over a dark textured background which made it difficult to read.

[Chuck Knudsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ratio is probably closer to 1 picture every 2 recipes, but they look great, and I'm looking forward to trying some of them.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly yummy, beautifully written and easy to follow: as promised quick and easy!