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

by Hari Nayak, Jack Turkel (Photographer)

"Cookbook consumers are always hungry for simple, accessible recipes that deliver authentic flavor, and this volume makes it easy for today's health-conscious home cooks to prepare light and fresh versions of classic dishes like chicken tikka masala." — Publishers Weekly

This easy-to-follow Indian cookbook allows home chefs to recreate their favorite dishes with delicious results. The name "Hari Nayak" is rapidly becoming synonymous with all-natural Indian cooking, due in large part to his collaboration with Cafe Spice, the quick-serve restaurant chain and line of "Meals to Go" for which he is Culinary Director. The Cafe Spice Cookbook provides devotees with the recipes and tips they need to prepare healthy and authentic Indian dishes, using ingredients available at any supermarket or health food store, for that Cafe Spice taste without having to run to the prepared foods isle or nearest location.

So how did Nayak turn delicious and wholesome Indian food into an American success story? As a young boy, he watched his grandmother grind fresh spices in the traditional stone mortar, heard the splutter of curry leaves being thrown into hot oil, and knew that making good food was his destiny. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, he met restaurateur Sushil Malhotra, founder of Cafe Spice. Today, his Cafe Spice recipes are in the hot bars and refrigerators of a range of outlets nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Amazon Fresh and Costco, a number of college campuses such as UMASS, MIT, Tulane, and KU and corporate dining courts like Chrysler and JP Morgan Chase.

Cookbook consumers are always hungry for simple, accessible recipes that deliver authentic flavor, and The Cafe Spice Cookbook makes it easy for today's health-conscious home cooks to prepare light and fresh versions of classic dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala or Shrimp and Mango Curry as well as a bounty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free recipes.

Indian recipes include:Shrimp Stuffed PappadumChickpea Curry with Sweet PotatoOkra MasalaPaneer with Creamed SpinachLobster KhadaiTandoori Spiced Roasted ChickenPork VindalooTomato and Curry Leaf QuinoaNaan BreadMilk Dumplings in Saffron Syrup

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

144 pages, Kindle Edition

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!