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The Curry Guy Bible: Recreate Over 200 Indian Restaurant and Takeaway Classics at Home
The Curry Guy Bible
brings together 200 of Dan Toombs' best-ever recipes, perfected over more than two decades of eating his way around Britain's Indian restaurants, takeaways and street-food stalls, learning the secrets behind authentic British Indian Restaurant (BIR) cooking.
Dan's fans return to his recipes again and again because they really work. Unlike so many curry recipes that never quite capture the flavour of a proper takeaway, these dishes deliver the rich sauces, bold spices and unmistakable taste of your favourite curry house at home.
Inside you'll find 150 of Dan's most popular recipes, from Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Rogan Josh and Vindaloo to Saag Paneer, Vegetable Samosas, Tandoori King Prawns and Shawarma Kebabs, plus 50 brand-new recipes created exclusively for this book. Build the ultimate curry feast with restaurant favourites including starters, sides, curries, grills, breads, chutneys and rice dishes, alongside delicious vegetarian options.
With clear step-by-step instructions, essential techniques, ingredient guides and time-saving tips throughout, Dan shows you exactly how to recreate authentic curry-house cooking in your own kitchen. Whether you're cooking for Friday night, feeding friends or replacing your regular takeaway, The Curry Guy Bible is the only curry cookbook you'll ever need.
Dan's fans return to his recipes again and again because they really work. Unlike so many curry recipes that never quite capture the flavour of a proper takeaway, these dishes deliver the rich sauces, bold spices and unmistakable taste of your favourite curry house at home.
Inside you'll find 150 of Dan's most popular recipes, from Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Rogan Josh and Vindaloo to Saag Paneer, Vegetable Samosas, Tandoori King Prawns and Shawarma Kebabs, plus 50 brand-new recipes created exclusively for this book. Build the ultimate curry feast with restaurant favourites including starters, sides, curries, grills, breads, chutneys and rice dishes, alongside delicious vegetarian options.
With clear step-by-step instructions, essential techniques, ingredient guides and time-saving tips throughout, Dan shows you exactly how to recreate authentic curry-house cooking in your own kitchen. Whether you're cooking for Friday night, feeding friends or replacing your regular takeaway, The Curry Guy Bible is the only curry cookbook you'll ever need.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 29, 2021
I’ve been making many different curries for years. This is the best cookbook I ever had (out of many many). It’s also the best Indian food book I’ve ever seen. There are many outstanding recipes and I have a new and much better way to cook my favourite foods now. There are many recipes that show how to cook Indian restaurant favourites. He has a way to cook a load of fantastic simple base sauce that Is stunning in curries and the sauce can be frozen and makes the next dishes fast and easy. He has many ideas and tips on various spices too. My favourites are Quick biryani, tandoori whole chicken on a beer can barbeque, Tandoori murgh malai Tikka kebabs, chicken pathia and many others. This book has also changed how I cook rice.
I have wheat and corn allergy and these recipes are perfect for that too. They also tend to be surprisingly healthy.
I have wheat and corn allergy and these recipes are perfect for that too. They also tend to be surprisingly healthy.
January 16, 2023
If you buy ONE curry cookbook, make it this one. Following the recipes and techniques in here ive been able to recreate favourites from restaurants i have visited recently as well as from some long gone.
May 12, 2024
Among my collection of Indian cookbooks, none have left as indelible an impression as Dan Toomb's culinary masterpiece. While it's undeniable that this book demands a considerable investment of time and effort, the rewards it bestows are truly extraordinary.
Initially apprehensive due to some negative reviews lamenting the labour-intensive nature of the recipes, I took the plunge nonetheless. And oh, am I glad I did. Before delving into the recipes, it's important to understand Dan Toomb's ethos as an author. He is driven by a profound passion for authenticity, reflected in meticulously crafted recipes that require patience and dedication.
Toomb's narrative style, while heartfelt, may come across as slightly embellished to some. Yet, this very fervour translates into comprehensive instructions, leaving no stone unturned in guiding the reader towards culinary perfection. And for me, this is key to my success, in cooking his dishes.
However, it's worth noting that the book's organisation could benefit from refinement. Recipes are scattered throughout, lacking a cohesive structure. A dedicated section for mixed spices, curry bases, and stocks would enhance accessibility and streamline the cooking process.
Indeed, acquiring the necessary Indian ingredients is imperative. But once stocked, the journey becomes infinitely rewarding. Each recipe is a symphony of flavours, testament to Toomb's unwavering commitment to authenticity.
For prospective cooks, thorough preparation is key. Take the time to compile a comprehensive shopping list and prepare essential components such as dried spice mixes and curry bases in advance. While this groundwork may seem daunting, it paves the way for seamless cooking experiences.
In essence, ‘The Curry Guy Bible' is a treasure trove for aficionados seeking unparalleled taste experiences. Approach with patience, dedication, and a well-stocked pantry, and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure like no other.
Initially apprehensive due to some negative reviews lamenting the labour-intensive nature of the recipes, I took the plunge nonetheless. And oh, am I glad I did. Before delving into the recipes, it's important to understand Dan Toomb's ethos as an author. He is driven by a profound passion for authenticity, reflected in meticulously crafted recipes that require patience and dedication.
Toomb's narrative style, while heartfelt, may come across as slightly embellished to some. Yet, this very fervour translates into comprehensive instructions, leaving no stone unturned in guiding the reader towards culinary perfection. And for me, this is key to my success, in cooking his dishes.
However, it's worth noting that the book's organisation could benefit from refinement. Recipes are scattered throughout, lacking a cohesive structure. A dedicated section for mixed spices, curry bases, and stocks would enhance accessibility and streamline the cooking process.
Indeed, acquiring the necessary Indian ingredients is imperative. But once stocked, the journey becomes infinitely rewarding. Each recipe is a symphony of flavours, testament to Toomb's unwavering commitment to authenticity.
For prospective cooks, thorough preparation is key. Take the time to compile a comprehensive shopping list and prepare essential components such as dried spice mixes and curry bases in advance. While this groundwork may seem daunting, it paves the way for seamless cooking experiences.
In essence, ‘The Curry Guy Bible' is a treasure trove for aficionados seeking unparalleled taste experiences. Approach with patience, dedication, and a well-stocked pantry, and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure like no other.
May 24, 2024
I wanted to wait until I had cooked all recipes from this cookery book (I have developed the habit of cooking recipes cover-to-cover from cookery books), but my partner got sick and tired of eating curries, so I'm reviewing this one while I'm less than halfway trying out these recipes.
Anyway, this is by far the best curry cookery book that I have come across. As can be expected, some ingredients are hard to find, so some creativity is required. Salt also seems to be lacking in many of these recipes (Dutch people LOVE salt), so some fixes to adjust to local taste may be required.
Interestingly, the book has "traditional" curries (from real Indian people, albeit resident in the UK) and "standard" curries (from the averaye curry restaurant in the UK). NOTE: chicken curry masalah has been voted as the UK's national dish a couple of years ago.
Anyway, if you are a moderately skilled chef like me, these recipes are easy to follow and easy to manipulate to adjust to your taste. The level of actual authenticity may be debatable, but let your taste buds decide.
Anyway, this is by far the best curry cookery book that I have come across. As can be expected, some ingredients are hard to find, so some creativity is required. Salt also seems to be lacking in many of these recipes (Dutch people LOVE salt), so some fixes to adjust to local taste may be required.
Interestingly, the book has "traditional" curries (from real Indian people, albeit resident in the UK) and "standard" curries (from the averaye curry restaurant in the UK). NOTE: chicken curry masalah has been voted as the UK's national dish a couple of years ago.
Anyway, if you are a moderately skilled chef like me, these recipes are easy to follow and easy to manipulate to adjust to your taste. The level of actual authenticity may be debatable, but let your taste buds decide.
August 9, 2026
Saw this at Kmart and it caught my eye. Very detailed and nice effort from the author. Only things I would change about this are I wish it was divided into Veg vs Non-Veg and further into Chicken/Beef/Lamb/Fish/Pork, because not everyone eats everything and that organization would have been very good. And also from the quantities I could tell this was aimed at a non-desi audience 🤣 As a South Asian person if I cooked this less quantity at a family gathering no one would come to my house again. Loved the pictures though!
I do wish the author was able to credit more chefs whom he learned from whose names he did not mention. Because if you're going to present dishes from an ethnic culture as a Caucasian man, I think its important to provide more credits and write a more thoughtful author's note to the people who are sharing a piece of their culture with you. Hopefully in the next book he will! Overall very interesting!
I do wish the author was able to credit more chefs whom he learned from whose names he did not mention. Because if you're going to present dishes from an ethnic culture as a Caucasian man, I think its important to provide more credits and write a more thoughtful author's note to the people who are sharing a piece of their culture with you. Hopefully in the next book he will! Overall very interesting!
May 21, 2023
Disappointing
4/10
The recipes are not well written or in the order of when they need to be added. Components parts were not added at the relevant time due to the author casually mentioning them after specifically mentioning others. Affected the flavour and they were nearly missed completely out of the recipe! Waste of my time and ingredients… not happy
Amanda Austin
January 18, 2025
This book is absolutely great! I’ve made a fair few recipes on a short amount of time and they all have been absolutely gorgeous! Of you take it easy on the peppers even kids adore the cooking!
February 3, 2026
This is a great book that has had a massive impact on my diet. The curries made from these recipes are as good as any I have ever had in an Indian restaurant or takeaway.
September 26, 2022
This dude seems to have forgotten it's normal people cooking in a kitchen, not chefs in a restaurant, he's supposed to be writing for. It's all 'use this paste (found on page X), and use this pre-made sauce (found on page X), add three spices and a pre-cooked meat and it'll be great!'. Still, I managed to find 13 recipes I wanted to try... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
September 24, 2024
Love this chap's enthusiasm and this book was clearly a labour of love. Have to say that it wasn't quite what I was looking for, however. As an occasional meat eater, I hoped for rather more Dal recipes, considering how many dals there are (moong, toor, masoor, urid, chana, etc). Most of the Dal recipes were variations on similar recipes that I already have. Not sure how many of these are truly authentic, either. Some of my favourites i.e. chakolya, golyachi amti and sambar are not too well known over here and I hoped for
similar types of unusual recipes, of which there didn't appear to be too many. I may have been better served by Dan's veggie book. All quibbles aside, it's still a decent cookbook, just not as useful to me as I hoped it would be.
**Upgraded to four stars on second reading - though it might not be quite what I was looking for - there's still some interesting recipes here
similar types of unusual recipes, of which there didn't appear to be too many. I may have been better served by Dan's veggie book. All quibbles aside, it's still a decent cookbook, just not as useful to me as I hoped it would be.
**Upgraded to four stars on second reading - though it might not be quite what I was looking for - there's still some interesting recipes here
February 16, 2021
Excellent range of recipes with ingredients that you can easily source. Really looking forward to working my way through this superb book.
June 10, 2021
Very nice.
January 17, 2024
When I say I "read" this cookbook, I mean I looked thru every page, glanced at the recipe and made notes of ingredients I needed to obtain.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews