11 Jun, 2019

Instant Indian

/ posted in: Book Review, Reading

Instant Indian: Classic Foods from Every Region of India Made Easy in the Instant Pot by Rinku Bhattacharya
on October 2, 2018
Pages: 240
Genres: Cooking
Published by Hippocrene Books
Format: Paperback
Source: Book Tour, From author/publisher

Discover favorite foods from all over India with the first regional Indian cookbook authorized by Instant Pot!

Rinku Bhattacharya -- cookbook author and founder of Spice Chronicles -- has put together a collection of 100 authentic recipes that showcase the diversity and range of the foods of India, where every state and region boasts its own unique dishes. Whether you crave takeout favorites or want to be introduced to lesser-known specialties, this cookbook brings the best of India to your table in an instant!

The Instant Pot(R) lends itself perfectly to Indian recipes, making flavorful, nutritious Indian fare (like simmering-all-day dals, legumes and all manner of curries) in minutes instead of hours.
Instant Indian
features numerous vegetarian and vegan options, and nearly all recipes are gluten-free.

With step-by-step instructions and color photos throughout, Instant Indian makes Indian cooking easy and fool-proof using all the functions of this popular appliance.

Sample recipes:

Chicken Korma Kofta Pulao (Saffron Rice Pilaf with Chicken Meatballs) Goan Pork Ribs Vindaloo No-Knead Naan Kerala Shrimp Curry Parsee Steamed Fish with Coconut-Mint Chutney Cucumber Raita with Homemade (Instant Pot) Yogurt Hakka Noodles Tamatar Masala Anda (Poached Eggs in Tomato Sauce)

I received this book and Spices and Seasons by the same author for book tours. I got Instant Indian first which sort of ruined me for a lot of the recipes in Spices and Seasons. In my mind all I was thinking was, “Ok, but can you make it in an Instapot?”

I love Indian food but I don’t get to eat it much anymore. My husband has developed an allergy to some ingredient in Indian food. From process of elimination I think it might be fenugeek but the only way to test that is to feed it to him and see what happens. He only broke out in hives from eating Indian food before but since he has another anaphylactic allergy I’m not inclined to push it. So, I either need to eat Indian food when he isn’t around or cook it myself for solo meals.

I’ve been having fun making different flavors of rice. I love making rice in the instapot anyway so getting combination of spices to mix in is an easy way to dress up otherwise simple meals.

Another recipe I want to try is the version of channa masala that is in here. I love chickpeas and tomatoes and this simple enough to make on a weeknight after work.

This book contains full color pictures of every dish. That’s something I want to see in all cookbooks.

If you aren’t familiar with the different spices or ingredients used in Indian cooking, there are explanations of the purpose of and helpful hints of sourcing things that you might not already have in your pantry.

This is a great book for anyone wanting to start making simple Indian dishes at home.

10 Mar, 2016

Thug Kitchen Party Grub

/ posted in: Food, Reading Thug Kitchen Party Grub

Thug Kitchen Party Grub Guide by Thug Kitchen, LLC
on October 13th 2015
Pages: 240
Genres: Cooking, Vegetarian & Vegan
Format: Hardcover
Source: Owned
Buy on Amazon (affiliate link)

From the duo behind New York Times bestseller, Thug Kitchen, comes the next installment of kick-ass recipes with a side of attitude. Thug Kitchen Party Grub Guide answers the question that Matt and Michelle have heard most from their fans: How the hell are you supposed to eat healthy when you hang around with a bunch of a**holes who don't care what they put in their pie holes? The answer: You make a bomb-ass plant-based dish from Thug Kitchen. Featuring over 100 recipes to attend or host parties of any kind, Party Grub Guide combines exciting, healthy, vegan food with easy-to-follow directions and damn entertaining commentary. From passed appetizers like Deviled Chickpea Bites to main events like Mexican Lasagna, Thug Kitchen Party Grub Guide is here to make sure you are equipped with dishes to bring the flavor without the side of fat, calories, and guilt. Also included are cocktail recipes, because sometimes these parties need a pick-me-up of the liquid variety.

I love my Thug Kitchen cookbook so I was really excited to see that they had a second cookbook out. I got it from the library first and then bought my own copy. My husband was concerned about this. He rightly pointed out that I am not in fact a “social mother-f*cker”. I told him that I liked to make the recipes for myself and maybe I’d share with him. He went off muttering about me being the exact opposite of what the book was for.

I keep pushing back posting this review because I keep making more recipes from this book that I love!

I’ve made the Butternut Squash Queso-ish Dip. No one is going to actually think this is cheese based but it is a nice creamy sauce that I like to put on pasta along with some salsa. Good way to sneak some extra squash into your diet too!

I’m excited about the Artichoke Dip and the Rosemary Caramel Corn. The dip was slightly disturbing to look at but tasted great, especially mixed with some salsa. The caramel for the caramel corn didn’t melt for me as nicely as it was supposed to but it still tasted pretty good.

The Meatball Subs made with kidney beans and lentils were a hit with the omnivorous husband. Definitely making those again.

The Creamy White Bean sandwich spread is good for a vegan who wants something on a sandwich but can’t have hummus because of food allergy concerns.

Everything I’ve made out of these cookbooks have been great so far. If you have any interest in food made with healthy ingredients even if you aren’t normally eating a vegan diet, you should check these out. The emphasis is on people who don’t cook often so the basics are explained.

07 Feb, 2015

Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry

/ posted in: Food, Reading

I don’t normally review cookbooks but I love this book. I love it enough to actually own it and not just borrow it from the library.

I love Caribbean food. In particular, I love plantains. I can’t cook plantains at all. So I was excited to see that there are several plantain recipes in here. I made the Muscovado-Roasted Plantains. The sauce is very good but I don’t think I know how to pick a ripe enough planatain so they didn’t get as soft as I would like. I need to work on my plantain skills.

I’ve made the Hominy and Spinach in Tomato-Garlic Broth several times. It is a spicy tomato soup. Very good.

I’m looking forward to the Pomegranate-Peach Barbeque Sauce. The husband and I read the recipe names and drool. There are so many things I want to try here that I almost get paralyzed with indecision about what to make first.

But the thing that puts this book over the top? Each recipe comes with a song recommendation and several of them come with a book recommendation.

Recipes with book recommendations – I had to sit down when I saw that.

There is fiction and nonfiction and poetry. I went through and looked up each book and added several to my TBR list.

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Instant Indian

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Afro-Vegan by Bryant Terry