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Vibrant India: Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn [A Cookbook]
From the acclaimed chef and owner of Brooklyn Delhi, a debut cookbook focused on the celebrated vegetarian fare of South India.
Lifelong vegetarian and chef Chitra Agrawal takes you on an epicurean journey to her mother’s hometown of Bangalore and back to Brooklyn, where she adapts her family’s South Indian recipes for home cooks. This particular style of Indian home cooking, often called the “yoga diet,” is light and fresh, yet satisfying and rich in bold and complex flavors. Grains, legumes, fresh produce, coconut, and yogurt—along with herbs, citrus, chiles, and spices—form the cornerstone of this delectable cuisine, rooted in vegetarian customs and honed over centuries for optimum taste and nutrition.
From the classic savory crepe dosa, filled with lemony turmeric potatoes and cilantro coconut chutney, to new creations like coconut polenta topped with spring vegetables 'upma" and homemade yogurt, the recipes in Vibrant India are simple to prepare and a true celebration of color and flavor on a plate. Chitra weaves together the historical context behind the region’s cuisine and how she brought some of these age-old traditions to life thousands of miles away in Brooklyn during the city’s exciting food renaissance.
Relying on her experience as a culinary instructor, Chitra introduces the essential Indian cooking techniques, tips, and ingredients you’ll need to prepare a full range of recipes from quick vegetable stir frys (corn, basil, and leeks flavored with butter, cumin, and black pepper), salads (citrus red cabbage and fennel slaw with black mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chile), yogurt raitas (shredded beets and coconut in yogurt), and chutneys and pickles (preserved Meyer lemon in chile brine) to hearty stews (aromatic black eyed peas, lentils, and greens), coconut curries (summer squash in an herby coconut yogurt sauce), and fragrant rice dishes (lime dill rice with pistachios). Rounding out the book is an array of addictive snacks (popcorn topped with curry leaf butter), creative desserts (banana, coconut, and cardamom ice cream), and refreshing drinks (chile watermelon juice with mint). Chitra provides numerous substitutions to accommodate produce seasonality, ingredient availability, and personal tastes. The majority of recipes are gluten-free and vegan or can be easily modified to adhere to those dietary restrictions.
Whether you are a vegetarian or just looking for ways to incorporate more vegetarian recipes into your repertoire, Vibrant India is a practical guide for bringing delicious Indian home cooking to your table on a regular basis.
Lifelong vegetarian and chef Chitra Agrawal takes you on an epicurean journey to her mother’s hometown of Bangalore and back to Brooklyn, where she adapts her family’s South Indian recipes for home cooks. This particular style of Indian home cooking, often called the “yoga diet,” is light and fresh, yet satisfying and rich in bold and complex flavors. Grains, legumes, fresh produce, coconut, and yogurt—along with herbs, citrus, chiles, and spices—form the cornerstone of this delectable cuisine, rooted in vegetarian customs and honed over centuries for optimum taste and nutrition.
From the classic savory crepe dosa, filled with lemony turmeric potatoes and cilantro coconut chutney, to new creations like coconut polenta topped with spring vegetables 'upma" and homemade yogurt, the recipes in Vibrant India are simple to prepare and a true celebration of color and flavor on a plate. Chitra weaves together the historical context behind the region’s cuisine and how she brought some of these age-old traditions to life thousands of miles away in Brooklyn during the city’s exciting food renaissance.
Relying on her experience as a culinary instructor, Chitra introduces the essential Indian cooking techniques, tips, and ingredients you’ll need to prepare a full range of recipes from quick vegetable stir frys (corn, basil, and leeks flavored with butter, cumin, and black pepper), salads (citrus red cabbage and fennel slaw with black mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chile), yogurt raitas (shredded beets and coconut in yogurt), and chutneys and pickles (preserved Meyer lemon in chile brine) to hearty stews (aromatic black eyed peas, lentils, and greens), coconut curries (summer squash in an herby coconut yogurt sauce), and fragrant rice dishes (lime dill rice with pistachios). Rounding out the book is an array of addictive snacks (popcorn topped with curry leaf butter), creative desserts (banana, coconut, and cardamom ice cream), and refreshing drinks (chile watermelon juice with mint). Chitra provides numerous substitutions to accommodate produce seasonality, ingredient availability, and personal tastes. The majority of recipes are gluten-free and vegan or can be easily modified to adhere to those dietary restrictions.
Whether you are a vegetarian or just looking for ways to incorporate more vegetarian recipes into your repertoire, Vibrant India is a practical guide for bringing delicious Indian home cooking to your table on a regular basis.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 2017
156 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 7, 2016
This is an ok cook book. Maybe I am just overly critical at the moment because I liked the last cook book I reviewed so much, but for some reason this one did not work for me.
I absolutely love Indian cuisine; my partner and me are very well-known by the staff of the best Indian restaurants in my hometown as well as in his hometown. I love everything about it, but especially the vibrant spices and herbs used, the way it just smells so lovely and makes me happy. I also appreciate the way vegetarian cuisine seems widely respected and every restaurant offers a wide variety of choice. And lots of those parts are included in this cook book. But as it turns out, these vibrant herbs and spices are near impossible for me to find in stores. And yes, like I said before, it cannot be the author's fault that I live in a small-ish German town. But it would have been helpful to get some pointers how I could maybe substitute some of the more 'out there' ingredients.
But there were parts of this book that I really enjoyed; most importantly it feels like a very personal book, one that is close to the heart of the author. The recipes I tried were very nice (even though I had to improvise a bit). I like the look of the book as a whole and can just imagine how lovely it will look in print. I also appreciate the things I learned about getting the most out of spices. So I definitely can recommend this book; especially if you live in bigger places with more variety in food shops.
___
I received an arc curtesy of NetGalley and Ten Speed Press in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
I absolutely love Indian cuisine; my partner and me are very well-known by the staff of the best Indian restaurants in my hometown as well as in his hometown. I love everything about it, but especially the vibrant spices and herbs used, the way it just smells so lovely and makes me happy. I also appreciate the way vegetarian cuisine seems widely respected and every restaurant offers a wide variety of choice. And lots of those parts are included in this cook book. But as it turns out, these vibrant herbs and spices are near impossible for me to find in stores. And yes, like I said before, it cannot be the author's fault that I live in a small-ish German town. But it would have been helpful to get some pointers how I could maybe substitute some of the more 'out there' ingredients.
But there were parts of this book that I really enjoyed; most importantly it feels like a very personal book, one that is close to the heart of the author. The recipes I tried were very nice (even though I had to improvise a bit). I like the look of the book as a whole and can just imagine how lovely it will look in print. I also appreciate the things I learned about getting the most out of spices. So I definitely can recommend this book; especially if you live in bigger places with more variety in food shops.
___
I received an arc curtesy of NetGalley and Ten Speed Press in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
Read
July 25, 2017Received review copy from NetGalley and Ten Speed Press with a request that reviews shouldn't be posted until a week before the book is published. I'm respecting that (unlike others :)) so my review will follow in March 2017.
Not so smart! I forgot so here it is now -in July!
I found the concept of this book, bringing together the author's family, their history and their recipes "from Bangalore to Brooklyn", very appealing. The family story at the beginning is interesting and sets the scene for the wide range of often unusual vegetarian recipes that follows. The illustrations are excellent and I particularly enjoyed the exquisite artwork. None of these recipes are beyond a confident home cook and there were many I hadn't come across before such as Spicy Sweet Potato Buns and Pineapple and Peppers in Red Coconut Curry. My mouth waters just reading about them. I enjoyed the personal stories behind the recipes too. Overall, I found this a very satisfying and interesting recipe book, one that I'd love to share with friends.
Not so smart! I forgot so here it is now -in July!
I found the concept of this book, bringing together the author's family, their history and their recipes "from Bangalore to Brooklyn", very appealing. The family story at the beginning is interesting and sets the scene for the wide range of often unusual vegetarian recipes that follows. The illustrations are excellent and I particularly enjoyed the exquisite artwork. None of these recipes are beyond a confident home cook and there were many I hadn't come across before such as Spicy Sweet Potato Buns and Pineapple and Peppers in Red Coconut Curry. My mouth waters just reading about them. I enjoyed the personal stories behind the recipes too. Overall, I found this a very satisfying and interesting recipe book, one that I'd love to share with friends.
November 6, 2022
Chitra Agrawal writes a memory-rich, South Indian American cookbook and guide--a vegetarian diet with recipes modified by the author who was born and raised in the US. There are 9 sections followed by multiple, additional, 1-page essays to explain extra topics (e.g. sample menus, how to purchase ingredients, and a starter grocery list). Each section begins with a 1-page, brief cultural vignette based on the author's experiences, to help unfamiliar readers understand social context behind each cuisine type. Each recipe is 1-2 pages with an accompanying high resolution image of the finished result. While some readers may seek further guidance on some recipes, most readers should find this a helpful resource to begin a self-study of preparing South Indian cuisine at home.
Readers interested in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign might be amused to see mention (with a photo) that the author's parents lived in the East Central Illinois (for graduate school) before moving to New Jersey.
Readers interested in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign might be amused to see mention (with a photo) that the author's parents lived in the East Central Illinois (for graduate school) before moving to New Jersey.
February 3, 2017
I love Indian food, but like many I find this rich and complex cuisine daunting. Vibrant India makes Indian vegetarian more approachable for the novice and provides a rich assortment of recipes that even experienced chefs will treasure.
Normally, I skip the beginning and jump straight to the recipes. Do not do that with Vibrant India! Chitra Agrawal provides one of the best introductions detailing not only spices and their origin but also uses, techniques and necessary equipment. I found the section on dal particularly useful as the varied assortment of beans have long been a mystery to me.
The recipes are not all traditional. Often they are bold modern takes on traditional homestyle vegetarian recipes - far different from the heavy oily cuisine we find in restaurants. I liked the Red Cabbage and Citrus Coleslaw (a variation on kosambri) that could be made with a wide variety of shredded vegetables. My husband loves the Vangi Baath (Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Cauliflower). I liked the wide array of stirfries - they make for a refreshing change from other Asian dishes. There are great desserts as well - I love the chia pudding.
The recipes do require you to have access to a wide variety of vegetables and spices, but once you have your kitchen kitted out things are a lot easier. You should expect to spend time prepping, but many of the recipes are finished quickly if you’ve done your homework. Vibrant India is definitely one of the nicest vegetarian Indian cookbooks I’ve had the pleasure to come across.
5/5
I received a copy of Vibrant India from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Normally, I skip the beginning and jump straight to the recipes. Do not do that with Vibrant India! Chitra Agrawal provides one of the best introductions detailing not only spices and their origin but also uses, techniques and necessary equipment. I found the section on dal particularly useful as the varied assortment of beans have long been a mystery to me.
The recipes are not all traditional. Often they are bold modern takes on traditional homestyle vegetarian recipes - far different from the heavy oily cuisine we find in restaurants. I liked the Red Cabbage and Citrus Coleslaw (a variation on kosambri) that could be made with a wide variety of shredded vegetables. My husband loves the Vangi Baath (Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Cauliflower). I liked the wide array of stirfries - they make for a refreshing change from other Asian dishes. There are great desserts as well - I love the chia pudding.
The recipes do require you to have access to a wide variety of vegetables and spices, but once you have your kitchen kitted out things are a lot easier. You should expect to spend time prepping, but many of the recipes are finished quickly if you’ve done your homework. Vibrant India is definitely one of the nicest vegetarian Indian cookbooks I’ve had the pleasure to come across.
5/5
I received a copy of Vibrant India from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
March 21, 2017
Vibrant India is vibrantly written. The author enables the reader to feel at home in the cuisines of South India. Her love of the country and its food translates into a rapport with the ingredients and the cooking process. The author has devoted herself to enabling the reader to feel at home in the midst of the often unusual ingredients of the cuisine. At more than one point, I had to stop reading..I was salivating, immersed in the possibility of tasting the dish I had just read about.
On the down side, lentils and I are not in the best terms. The author points out early on that lentils are a mainstay of South Indian cooking. Even so, I found the variety of recipes vast enough to keep me in the kitchen for quite some time.
Highlights for me were the Radish and Kale Yogurt Raitas, the surprising Turmeric Almond Milk and vegetable dishes such as Stir Fried Corn with Basil and Leeks. Not to mention Hotel Scrambled Eggs. I could go on and on.
This cookbook is a keeper.
On the down side, lentils and I are not in the best terms. The author points out early on that lentils are a mainstay of South Indian cooking. Even so, I found the variety of recipes vast enough to keep me in the kitchen for quite some time.
Highlights for me were the Radish and Kale Yogurt Raitas, the surprising Turmeric Almond Milk and vegetable dishes such as Stir Fried Corn with Basil and Leeks. Not to mention Hotel Scrambled Eggs. I could go on and on.
This cookbook is a keeper.
July 14, 2020
Some of the recipes I've cooked from this book are the best I've ever made in 20+ years of serious cooking. Did I have to visit the Indian grocery in my town to get some unfamiliar ingredients? Sure. (If you don't have an Indian grocery nearby, could you order them online? Of course.) Were some of the recipes complicated and time-consuming? Definitely. But they were fun to make, I learned a lot, and now I know that I need to plan and prepare in advance for some of the recipes in the book. Do yourself a favor and check this one out.
August 4, 2019
Great vegetarian recipes. But what I really loved was the author's personal story from Bangalore to Brooklyn! So relatable and similar to my experience growing up. Great design too - very pretty.
June 17, 2018
This book is beautiful, and the food looks really good, and brings me back to the days of eating dinner with my friend Zach's family from Kerala and crying because it was so spicy, but also they were tears of joy! I basically want to eat everything in this book, but I find it really intimidating.
It's one of those books where a large portion of the recipes include ingredients that are recipes in other parts of the book, and sometimes you would have to make like four other things before you could even make the thing you were trying to make in the first place! A lot of it just seems super complicated and time consuming. Also, I'm realizing that no matter how many times an item is included in other recipes, I'd rather you just repeat it on each recipe's actual page rather than directing me to several other sections. Flipping around in a print copy of a cookbook just seems ridiculous and I'm so over it!
Anyway, there are other things that seem like they'd be super easy to throw together, assuming you have all the ingredients, and there are several I am actually intending to try. It's certainly not a book I would buy because I just don't have the time or energy to make the majority of the recipes happen, but I may make note of one or two recipes that seem much more doable.
Still, this one is a pleasure to browse through and dream of having the motivation to cook like this on a regular basis!
It's one of those books where a large portion of the recipes include ingredients that are recipes in other parts of the book, and sometimes you would have to make like four other things before you could even make the thing you were trying to make in the first place! A lot of it just seems super complicated and time consuming. Also, I'm realizing that no matter how many times an item is included in other recipes, I'd rather you just repeat it on each recipe's actual page rather than directing me to several other sections. Flipping around in a print copy of a cookbook just seems ridiculous and I'm so over it!
Anyway, there are other things that seem like they'd be super easy to throw together, assuming you have all the ingredients, and there are several I am actually intending to try. It's certainly not a book I would buy because I just don't have the time or energy to make the majority of the recipes happen, but I may make note of one or two recipes that seem much more doable.
Still, this one is a pleasure to browse through and dream of having the motivation to cook like this on a regular basis!
April 24, 2017
Pros: Mouthwatering pictures and phrasing to inspire trying new things. Authentic recipes. Step by step instructions catering to a cook new to Indian cooking, including what indian-specific ingredients are and where to find them. Extensive list of recipes that also pair well together. I am entirely pleased! I don't see a single recipe I would not want to try and I love the fresh choices of ingredients. This book gives me ideas for things I eat anyways (like corn, lentils, and cabbage) but with full-bodied new flavors.
Cons: Unless you usually cook Indian food you will have to buy quite a few new ingredients for your pantry.
*Review copy courtesy of bloggingforbooks*
Cons: Unless you usually cook Indian food you will have to buy quite a few new ingredients for your pantry.
*Review copy courtesy of bloggingforbooks*
June 17, 2019
An interesting collection of recipes with many of them using the same 'tempered' (fried spice mix) as a finishing touch. I would have liked to have seen some dishes spiced up using some other method, but that might be the way her family cooked. She does have a couple of fusion recipes and mentions many more in passing (Indian tacos!) which would interest me more. She does have a blog, ABCDsofcooking.com that seems to offer a wider variety than the book. If you like mixing up your cooking, you should take a peek.
July 21, 2017
Gorgeous book, full of wonderful veg recipes, personal history, great pics. Breaks down a lot of Indian cooking - love this.
October 19, 2016
Part cookbook-part Indian food manual-part memoir, Vibrant India gives the beginner Indian chef quite a lot to work with. Opening with a brief memoir, I really appreciated learning about Agrawal's journey both physically and mentally from a Southern Indian to an American entrepreneur Indian chef. Understanding her background is key to understanding the passion and patience Agrawal has put into this cookbook.
After the memoir section, Agrawal wastes no time educating the reader. My favorite part of this book is the How to Use This Book section. In it, the reader is given details about Indian ingredients, kitchen tools, techniques, and substitutes for all. Before anyone starts cooking, I strongly recommend reading this section in its entirety. Agrawal focuses on the flexibility of recipes, and is constantly addressing possible substitutes in her recipes. The recipes follow-- and they are abundant. All the recipes have English titles as well as their appropriate translations and are well detailed with techniques, tips, and potential substitutes. This means the cookbook is quite flexible.
That said, it's a lot of information to absorb. Honestly, I found the most success by taking the techniques I learned from this cookbook and applying them to simpler recipes in other cookbooks. I have been able to improve on the flavors in those recipes, but I am still struggling with some techniques. As I get more comfortable with an Indian kitchen, I will be returning to Vibrant India to dig deeper into Agrawal's recipes. What I would have loved to see was the "basic/original recipe", followed by detailed instructions for how to adapt this recipe for an American kitchen, a busy life, etc. It's hard to parse out everything at once in these recipes.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Ten Speed Press in exchange for an honest review.
After the memoir section, Agrawal wastes no time educating the reader. My favorite part of this book is the How to Use This Book section. In it, the reader is given details about Indian ingredients, kitchen tools, techniques, and substitutes for all. Before anyone starts cooking, I strongly recommend reading this section in its entirety. Agrawal focuses on the flexibility of recipes, and is constantly addressing possible substitutes in her recipes. The recipes follow-- and they are abundant. All the recipes have English titles as well as their appropriate translations and are well detailed with techniques, tips, and potential substitutes. This means the cookbook is quite flexible.
That said, it's a lot of information to absorb. Honestly, I found the most success by taking the techniques I learned from this cookbook and applying them to simpler recipes in other cookbooks. I have been able to improve on the flavors in those recipes, but I am still struggling with some techniques. As I get more comfortable with an Indian kitchen, I will be returning to Vibrant India to dig deeper into Agrawal's recipes. What I would have loved to see was the "basic/original recipe", followed by detailed instructions for how to adapt this recipe for an American kitchen, a busy life, etc. It's hard to parse out everything at once in these recipes.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Ten Speed Press in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2016
I was very interested in this cookbook because a) I love Indian food, and b) the author lives in Brooklyn, as do I. Unfortunately I did not find it to be very useful. Part of this is simply personal; I'm a lazy cook, and usually am not willing to do recipes that require hours of preparation. I know dosa is basic to South Indian cuisine! But realistically, I am just never going to soak dal for hours, and then grind it and wait for the dough to rise, and then finally make the dosa. A lot of the recipes here require that sort of effort. My other problem with the book was the fusion recipes – they weren't appealing to me. "Cucumber, Sprouted Mung Bean, and Pomegranate Salad" or "Butter Lettuce “Dosa” Wrap with Curried Potato and Chutney" or "Ben’s Curry Leaf Popcorn" are interesting ideas, sure, but just not for me.
On the other hand, I did like several of the vegetable curry recipes, as well as the multitude of sambar and rasam varieties. It's also always nice to see a book that focuses on a region of Indian food that is not the Punjab, which vastly dominates Indian restaurants in the US.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
On the other hand, I did like several of the vegetable curry recipes, as well as the multitude of sambar and rasam varieties. It's also always nice to see a book that focuses on a region of Indian food that is not the Punjab, which vastly dominates Indian restaurants in the US.
I read this as an ARC via NetGalley.
May 27, 2018
Superb Introduction to South Indian Cooking
This is by far the most comprehensive introduction to vegetarian South Indian cooking that I have encountered. It not only provides clear and easy to follow recipes for many of the most common dishes, it also gives a good overview of cooking techniques, equipment, and commonly used ingredients. The introduction to her family is not only pleasant but is essential background to the vegetarian focus. The delightful drawings and the copious use of good photos enhances the effect of the book. The only quibble I would have is the occasionally tedious repetition of the tempering technique that comes when one reads the entire book in one or two sittings. However, this is not an issue when following one recipe. Kudos to Ms Agrawal for a well thought out and well designed introduction to one of my favorite cuisines.
This is by far the most comprehensive introduction to vegetarian South Indian cooking that I have encountered. It not only provides clear and easy to follow recipes for many of the most common dishes, it also gives a good overview of cooking techniques, equipment, and commonly used ingredients. The introduction to her family is not only pleasant but is essential background to the vegetarian focus. The delightful drawings and the copious use of good photos enhances the effect of the book. The only quibble I would have is the occasionally tedious repetition of the tempering technique that comes when one reads the entire book in one or two sittings. However, this is not an issue when following one recipe. Kudos to Ms Agrawal for a well thought out and well designed introduction to one of my favorite cuisines.
November 7, 2016
This one wasn't really for me. I was so excited by the cover, and I am always interested in learning about new aspects of Indian cuisine, but the contents were just okay. None of the recipes grabbed me, none made my to-make list, and that was surprising.
That said, I know there will be an audience to appreciate the variety of recipes and the author's warm and straightforward manner.
I received a preview copy of this cookbook from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
That said, I know there will be an audience to appreciate the variety of recipes and the author's warm and straightforward manner.
I received a preview copy of this cookbook from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
November 23, 2017
Beautifully laid out and great photos with approachable, interesting collection of vegetarian South Indian recipes from Chitra's family and her own inventions. I love the mix of tradition with modern elements and have already made a few recipes from this book (mmm, coconut rice). And also thankful she gives vegan options/substitutes for most recipes as possible!
July 3, 2017
Title: Vibrant India - Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn
Author: Chitra Agrawal
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Published: 3-21-2017
Pages: 224
Genre: Cooking, Food and Wine
Sub-Genre: Cookbooks; International; South Indian
ISBN: 9781697747345
ASIN: B01GYQ116U
Reviewed For NetGalley and Ten Speed Press
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars
From the acclaimed chef and owner of Brooklyn Delhi, a debut cookbook focused on the celebrated vegetarian fare of South India.
Lifelong vegetarian and chef Chitra Agrawal takes you on an epicurean journey to her mother's hometown of Bangalore and back to Brooklyn, where she adapts her family's South Indian recipes for home cooks.
This particular style of Indian home cooking, often called the -yoga diet, - is light and fresh, yet satisfying and rich in bold and complex flavors. Grains, legumes, fresh produce, coconut, and yogurt--along with herbs, citrus, chiles, and spices--form the cornerstone of this delectable cuisine, rooted in vegetarian customs and honed over centuries for optimum taste and nutrition.
From the classic savory crepe dosa, filled with lemony turmeric potatoes and cilantro coconut chutney, to new creations like coconut polenta topped with spring vegetables 'upma- and homemade yogurt, the recipes in Vibrant India are simple to prepare and a true celebration of color and flavor on a plate. Chitra weaves together the historical context behind the region's cuisine and how she brought some of these age-old traditions to life thousands of miles away in Brooklyn during the city's exciting food renaissance.
Relying on her experience as a culinary instructor, Chitra introduces the essential Indian cooking techniques, tips, and ingredients you'll need to prepare a full range of recipes from quick vegetable stir frys (corn, basil, and leeks flavored with butter, cumin, and black pepper), salads (citrus red cabbage and fennel slaw with black mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chile), yogurt raitas (shredded beets and coconut in yogurt), and chutneys and pickles (preserved Meyer lemon in chile brine) to hearty stews (aromatic black eyed peas, lentils, and greens), coconut curries (summer squash in an herby coconut yogurt sauce), and fragrant rice dishes (lime dill rice with pistachios). Rounding out the book is an array of addictive snacks (popcorn topped with curry leaf butter), creative desserts (banana, coconut, and cardamom ice cream), and refreshing drinks (chile watermelon juice with mint). Chitra provides numerous substitutions to accommodate produce seasonality, ingredient availability, and personal tastes. The majority of recipes are gluten-free and vegan or can be easily modified to adhere to those dietary restrictions.
Whether you are a vegetarian or just looking for ways to incorporate more vegetarian recipes into your repertoire, Vibrant India is a practical guide for bringing delicious Indian home cooking to your table on a regular basis.
If you enjoy vibrant; colorful dishes that are as appealing to the eye as it is to the taste buds Then check out Chitra Agrawal's "Vibrant India - Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn". The vegan recips show that the lack of meat and dairy does not mean lack of flavor. Check it out today.
My rating of "Vibrant India - Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn" is 5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GYQ116U/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vibr...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Chitra Agrawal
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Published: 3-21-2017
Pages: 224
Genre: Cooking, Food and Wine
Sub-Genre: Cookbooks; International; South Indian
ISBN: 9781697747345
ASIN: B01GYQ116U
Reviewed For NetGalley and Ten Speed Press
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars
From the acclaimed chef and owner of Brooklyn Delhi, a debut cookbook focused on the celebrated vegetarian fare of South India.
Lifelong vegetarian and chef Chitra Agrawal takes you on an epicurean journey to her mother's hometown of Bangalore and back to Brooklyn, where she adapts her family's South Indian recipes for home cooks.
This particular style of Indian home cooking, often called the -yoga diet, - is light and fresh, yet satisfying and rich in bold and complex flavors. Grains, legumes, fresh produce, coconut, and yogurt--along with herbs, citrus, chiles, and spices--form the cornerstone of this delectable cuisine, rooted in vegetarian customs and honed over centuries for optimum taste and nutrition.
From the classic savory crepe dosa, filled with lemony turmeric potatoes and cilantro coconut chutney, to new creations like coconut polenta topped with spring vegetables 'upma- and homemade yogurt, the recipes in Vibrant India are simple to prepare and a true celebration of color and flavor on a plate. Chitra weaves together the historical context behind the region's cuisine and how she brought some of these age-old traditions to life thousands of miles away in Brooklyn during the city's exciting food renaissance.
Relying on her experience as a culinary instructor, Chitra introduces the essential Indian cooking techniques, tips, and ingredients you'll need to prepare a full range of recipes from quick vegetable stir frys (corn, basil, and leeks flavored with butter, cumin, and black pepper), salads (citrus red cabbage and fennel slaw with black mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chile), yogurt raitas (shredded beets and coconut in yogurt), and chutneys and pickles (preserved Meyer lemon in chile brine) to hearty stews (aromatic black eyed peas, lentils, and greens), coconut curries (summer squash in an herby coconut yogurt sauce), and fragrant rice dishes (lime dill rice with pistachios). Rounding out the book is an array of addictive snacks (popcorn topped with curry leaf butter), creative desserts (banana, coconut, and cardamom ice cream), and refreshing drinks (chile watermelon juice with mint). Chitra provides numerous substitutions to accommodate produce seasonality, ingredient availability, and personal tastes. The majority of recipes are gluten-free and vegan or can be easily modified to adhere to those dietary restrictions.
Whether you are a vegetarian or just looking for ways to incorporate more vegetarian recipes into your repertoire, Vibrant India is a practical guide for bringing delicious Indian home cooking to your table on a regular basis.
If you enjoy vibrant; colorful dishes that are as appealing to the eye as it is to the taste buds Then check out Chitra Agrawal's "Vibrant India - Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn". The vegan recips show that the lack of meat and dairy does not mean lack of flavor. Check it out today.
My rating of "Vibrant India - Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn" is 5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GYQ116U/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vibr...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
August 18, 2019
I am mostly a hobby chef and I am very far from a high level of proficiency, but regardless how successful I am sometimes, I will never dare to pretend I can cook Indian. I figured out that I need so much experience and maybe the exercise of growing up with certain spices and ingredients therefore, any attempt on my side to be authentic is deem to fail. I am so fearful of cultural appropriations that I better request the kindness of my Indian friends for an authentic meal.
Vibrant India, by the food teacher Chitra Agrawal threw a lot of temptations that I keep resisting. It shares vegetarian recipes from the Southern part of the country, presented in pleasant illustrations and with a long introduction into the techniques, tools to use, flavors and combinations that can be made. It offers ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with long explanations that help you to reduce the chances of failure. (However, regardless how hard is to find a good dosa restaurant, I will rather prefer to wait until there is one than to try my own). But if you are courageous enough, you can find so many good recipes to try - lime dill rice with pistachios and lemon peanut rice or yogurt rice with pomegranate and mint sound so doable - and enjoy. The elaborated recipes gives you time to understand the ingredients and follow the right steps for success.
There are so many interesting and nourishing recipes that you can easily surviving on a one-year Indian diet. At least.
Recommended to Indian food lovers and courageous cooks. I am trying to gather the courage to try something one day, but until then Vibrant India made it into a very entertaining and good foodie reading.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Vibrant India, by the food teacher Chitra Agrawal threw a lot of temptations that I keep resisting. It shares vegetarian recipes from the Southern part of the country, presented in pleasant illustrations and with a long introduction into the techniques, tools to use, flavors and combinations that can be made. It offers ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with long explanations that help you to reduce the chances of failure. (However, regardless how hard is to find a good dosa restaurant, I will rather prefer to wait until there is one than to try my own). But if you are courageous enough, you can find so many good recipes to try - lime dill rice with pistachios and lemon peanut rice or yogurt rice with pomegranate and mint sound so doable - and enjoy. The elaborated recipes gives you time to understand the ingredients and follow the right steps for success.
There are so many interesting and nourishing recipes that you can easily surviving on a one-year Indian diet. At least.
Recommended to Indian food lovers and courageous cooks. I am trying to gather the courage to try something one day, but until then Vibrant India made it into a very entertaining and good foodie reading.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
June 9, 2017
The cover of this recipe book will draw you in immediately. Beautiful, VIBRANT colors pop out and make you reach out and pick up this book. You won't be disappointed. Ms Agrawal introduces her book with a fascinating family history. She is a lifelong vegetarian who grew up picking fruits and vegetables in India. This heritage of selecting the best produce and preparing delicious vegetarian meals help lead to her own experimenting and creating recipes. The book has a section specifially on Indian cooking tips and techniques. She has a section with suggestions on how to fill your pantry to prepare the delicious Indian dishes found in this recipe book. Ms. Agrawal also has a chapter on which kitchen tools are essential for preparation of her recipes. The recipes are shown in lovely full color photographs. Recipes are found in sections: breakfast/light meals, salad/yogurts, stir-fries/curries, ric/bread, soups/stews/lentils, festive bites/snacks, sweets/drinks, and chutneys/pickles. A special section is devoted to how to make homemade power spices. This is a very complete recipe book which includes meal planning and sample menus and where to buy ingredients and equipment.
June 5, 2017
Another beautiful Indian cuisine cookbook now added to my family's collection of cookbooks! It is so hard for me to resist cookbooks which focus on Indian cooking. I find the flavors so unique and pleasing. As the name of this cookbook suggests, the recipes within are indeed vibrant. This particular Indian cookbook focuses on vegetarian recipes. Your experience in that realm might have been bland, but no longer! With the spices and techniques of the Indian culture, the simplest vegetarian dishes are taken up to an amazing level sure to please most people. As with most of the books from this publisher, the cookbook is full of beautiful photographs which make this book coffee-table worthy!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 8, 2017
Note: A copy of this book was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly I will need to say that I have never had the opportunity to have traditional Indian cuisine in an real Indian restaurant, but I do love a trying and experimenting with various cuisines from other cultures. No to a good and interesting cookbook I have never said.
The book I have to say that the memoir together with the recipes all though vegetarian gives you a gorgeous trip through south India through the eyes of the author. The recipes look so tasty with vibrant flavors that I just wish that I was able to obtain all the ingredients necessary to make a couple of these dishes.
Just loved it!
Firstly I will need to say that I have never had the opportunity to have traditional Indian cuisine in an real Indian restaurant, but I do love a trying and experimenting with various cuisines from other cultures. No to a good and interesting cookbook I have never said.
The book I have to say that the memoir together with the recipes all though vegetarian gives you a gorgeous trip through south India through the eyes of the author. The recipes look so tasty with vibrant flavors that I just wish that I was able to obtain all the ingredients necessary to make a couple of these dishes.
Just loved it!
July 3, 2021
I love Indian cuisine and have enjoyed learning a bit about new ingredients and methods with this book. It feels a bit technical, but as such, I can see how it'd make a great manual. I've learned about types of grains and legumes, how to bloom spices in oil before using them, and an appreciation for the multi-day process of fermentation and preparation. I've tried the Spicy Bitter Gourd Chips recipe (fun, and interesting, but not amazing in taste), and a few others. I like the accompaniments section. She also does a great job explaining suitable substitutions and defining unfamiliar ingredients.
May 21, 2018
Gorgeous book! Well written and a nice family history behind. Some very useful information especially some differences between North and South Indian cooking. I love Indian food and I’m very lucky to live in a city that provides so many cultural diversities and so many options and places to shop. I’m not a vegetarian but I don’t mind skipping some meat or poultry or fish. I have not tried any of the recipes yet but I will, then I may edit this review, but for what I read, it seems very easy and very delicious. I’m looking forward to trying all the recipes.
November 18, 2019
I enjoyed this cookbook for the look into the wonderful culinary world of India, in this case from southern India. In my dive into Indian food I have learned that food is so different in the various areas of India and mostly vegetarian in the south. I am not vegetarian so of course I missed learning some new meat recipes but am excited to try some now vegetarian ones and hope that maybe these recipes can help me bring more plant focused meals into our home. Plus the book and pictures are beautiful.
March 21, 2017
**ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley**
Vibrant India melds tradition with the modern, capturing and adapting South Indian dishes for the home cook, whether you grew up eating Indian food, or it’s all new. The book offers a full range of South Indian vegetarian dishes including salads and yogurts, soups and stews, vegetable stir-fries, rice and breads, and the chutneys and pickles that go with. Plus, my favorite -- the masala dosa! The recipes are easy to follow and the book offers guidance on ingredients, favorite brands and offers online resources if you don't have an Indian grocery in your area. Well-worth having on your shelf.
Full review & pics at DailyWaffle.
Vibrant India melds tradition with the modern, capturing and adapting South Indian dishes for the home cook, whether you grew up eating Indian food, or it’s all new. The book offers a full range of South Indian vegetarian dishes including salads and yogurts, soups and stews, vegetable stir-fries, rice and breads, and the chutneys and pickles that go with. Plus, my favorite -- the masala dosa! The recipes are easy to follow and the book offers guidance on ingredients, favorite brands and offers online resources if you don't have an Indian grocery in your area. Well-worth having on your shelf.
Full review & pics at DailyWaffle.
June 9, 2017
There's not one recipe in this lovely, beautifully designed cookbook that I don't want to make. The author's introduction to her family and food traditions as well as the discoveries of local ingredients and influences of her neighbors in the USA adds meaning to recipes to follow. Of particular helpfulness are the ingredient notes which are useful in sorting out the less well-known foods, especially the photo of an assortment of lentils and beans.
August 24, 2017
I would have given 5 stars but the only thing holding me back was the quality of the pictures (I could just be mistaking this for the style they were going for but a lot of the pictures were blurry). Other then that I love that the whole first section of the cookbook incorporates the family history as well as tips and techniques when cooking authentic Indian food. Everything sounded so delicious and I can't wait to try some recipes!
July 26, 2019
I wanted to learn how to make more authentic curries, and this book really delivers, especially for those who are leveling up their cooking skills. There's definitely a high learning curve as all or most of the ingredients are fresh and the way to perfectly cook all of the steps require an above-average understanding of the culinary world. Make sure to write an ingredients list and pick up all of the freshest ingredients the recipes say for the best results.
July 23, 2017
Beautifully done cookbook of South Indian cuisine. It is much more than a cookbook! It is part memoir, part cooking school, part view of Bangalore and of its people. Having visited Bangalore, I felt immediately drawn to the book. I am an experimental cook, I always love to learn new and vibrant and flavourful dishes.
August 3, 2022
A wonderful blueprint to follow for new chefs of Indian Food, particularly the southern recipes. I skimmed it, tried several recipes, then read it from cover to cover. My results are delicious and I am gaining confidence in my ability.
I can’t recommend this book enough. And, I take it with me shopping at the Indian grocery store.
I can’t recommend this book enough. And, I take it with me shopping at the Indian grocery store.
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