That having been said, this book is not as effective as the author's other book, Curried Favors.

The introduction is wonderful. The author goes back to the India, weaving together explanations of the origins of the cuisine and its various influences with portraits of her family and how they taught her to cook it. This section is delightful. You come away much wiser and yet feeling as if you've been immersed in her culture and embraced by her family.

But the recipes themselves could be a little better. It's not that the results aren't terrific. They are. But the recipes lack the perfect clarity and sequencing of Curried Favors, where the ingredients list is set up to facilitate prep and the instructions lead you confidently through to a successful conclusion. Sometimes it takes an extra reading or two to figure out how to line up your prep or how the dish will be put together. If you're patient and read again you'll be just fine, but if you started with the other book you'll be a little frustrated that this one isn't just as wonderful.

Net net -- if you're looking for your first Indian cookbook, buy Curried Favors over any other book -- including Madhur Jaffrey, by the way. If you love Curried Favors, you can buy this one as a supplement. But you'll still reach for Curried Favors first.

20 of 20 found the following review helpful:

best South Indian cookbook I've found  Sep 06, 2000

This is one of those cookbooks where every one of the recipes I've tried so far have turned out well and tasted delicious. This is one of my big considerations when judging the quality of a cookbook. I've probably tried a dozen recipes so far (such as Shrimp in Tamarind Sauce, Thoor Dal with Onions and Tomatoes, Tomato and Cucmber Pachadi, Fried Bananas . . . ) All have tasted great. Nice pictures, good introduction to planning menus, ingredients, and cooking. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in South Indian cuisine (which, by the way is different from the more popular north Indian cuisine found in most Indian restaurants - much lighter I think).

16 of 16 found the following review helpful:

Southern India Delights  Nov 02, 2000

After I saw this authoress on a daytime show, I had to have this exquisite cookbook. Over 110 recipes of ultimate flavors and colors--a kaleidoscope of adventures from Maya Kaimal's homeland. I think that is what makes this easy to follow page turner special, her up close and personal touches from her relatives own kitchens. She also compares her Hindu background of cooking with Christianity and Muslim dishes from the same region.

The photographs of India and the completed dishes are mouth watering. I have never been one to curry favor for curried flavors! Yet, these snacks and meals are of a lighter fare. I made Spinach Theron first--with coconut, cumin, and tumeric. And found even my non-veggie teens loved it.

I highly recommend this spicy book. Just shopping for the ingredients is an adventure...

14 of 15 found the following review helpful:

India in under an hour  Apr 09, 2001

This is absolutely the best cookbook I have bought in years. Not only are the recipes easy to follow, once you stock your pantry with a few key ingredients (unsweetened coconut, curry leaves, coriander, and chilis) most of the other items will be in there already. Every single thing I have made has turned out great -- chickpeas with onion, fish in fragrant coconut milk, tomato onion fry -- and with very little preparation or shopping time. Two of us preparted a three course meal straight out of the book in a little over an hour.

Beyond the content of the recipes, the book itself is well written and contains georgeous photos of South India. If you are looking for a tasty yet simple approach to the cusine of India, this is your book.

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

excellent book  Oct 29, 2001
By Reuben
I am a grad student in New York, who spent the first 15 years of my life in Kerala. This book takes me closer to what I grew up eating, than any other Kerala cookbook I know of. Even as a grad student, I find myself cooking at home every single night using recipes from this book. I'd recommend this book very highly to anyone wanting to experiment with Kerala cuisine. It's definitely the REAL thing.

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