Easy Indian

Book excerpt: Easy Indian is a collection of 120 delightfully simple and tasty dishes by Das Sreedharan, owner of the award-winning Rasa group of restaurants. Das demystifies Indian cooking for Western readers with a selection of deliciously easy dishes gleaned from his years of travel around his homeland, plus popular recipes from his restaurants. Many of the dishes reflect his origins in Kerala, Southern India, where healthy combinations of fresh vegetables, fruits, yoghurt and nuts feature in most meals. An informative introduction to the book describes unusual ingredients and how to source and prepare them, enabling readers to use new foods with confidence. Recipe chapters cover Starters and Snacks, Soups and Salads, Eggs, Cheese and Pulses, Vegetables, Fish and Shellfish, Meat and Poultry, Rice and Breads, Desserts and Drinks. The recipes include street foods and snacks such as Uthappams and Vadai, Das' trademark pickles and breads and a wonderful collection of curries and stir-fries, and a number of dishes created to use Western ingredients. There is even a recipe for the nation's most favourite takeaway order - Chicken Tikka Masala!