If you ask someone what defines Indian food and they have an answer for it, they are wrong! Indian cuisine cannot be defined or contained in one large bracket. Each state, each city, every galli, and nukkad has something new cooking that defines Indian food. Every spice, herb, and tadka combination is different from the last one, and adds a unique flavor! From the treatment of meat, dairy, and rice in biryani to the innumerable versions of idlis and dosas, India is a very food-diverse country. We have compiled here a list of the best Indian cookbooks.
This article is curated on the occasion of our 74th Independence Day to celebrate our love for cooking and food as a nation.
Table of Contents
A look at the Top Picks for best Indian cookbooks:
This is a compilation of some of the best authentic Indian cookbook.
1. Best Indian Curries Cookbook: 50 Greatest Curries of India by Camellia Punjabi
2. Best Andhra Dishes Cookbook: The Andhra Cookbook by Komala Sista Rao
3. Best Indian Dals Cookbooks: Dal Cookbook by Krishna Dutta
4. All about Gujarati Cuisine: The Complete Gujarati Cookbook by Tarla Dalal
5. Best Snacks Recipes Cookbook: Pakodas by Sangeeta Khanna
Watch: Must-Have Indian Cookbooks
The 11 Best Indian Cookbooks
A list of top 11 must have Indian Cookbooks.
1. 50 Great Curries Of India – Camellia Punjabi
Review
This book will delight, educate, and inspire anyone who longs to make authentic curries at home.’ – Nigel Slater, The Observer
About the book
From the classic Goa Lamb Vindaloo to the exotic Gujarat Mango and Yogurt Curry, this cookbook has it all. Camellia Punjabi’s 50 Great Curries Of India is one of the best curry-books in the world.
2. Made in India – Meera Sodha
Review
‘Wonderful, vibrant…deeply personal food, alive and authentic – the best sort – and, frankly, I want to cook everything in this book’ – Nigella Lawson
About the book
This book has everything from chappatis to chili paneer and beetroot and feta samosas. Some wonderful curries are also showcased in this book like spinach and salmon curry and perfect cinnamon lamb curry. Side dishes like raitas and mouth-watering desserts like pistachio and saffron kulfi are also featured. These features make it one of the best Indian food cookbook.
3. Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen – Richa Hingle
Review
“With superbly spiced recipes, eye-catching photographs, and mouthwatering descriptions, this book will find a permanent place in your kitchen. Richa’s recipe for Quinoa Cauliflower biryani alone is worth the price of the book.” – Monica Bhide, author of Modern Spice, and A Life of Spice
About the book
Richa Hingle’s cookbook is a collection of plant-based recipes that have been inspired by regional cuisine and Indian culture, easily making this one of the best Indian Vegetarian cookbook Recipes like Mango Curry Tofu, Baked Lentil Kachori Pastries, Avocado Naan, and Fudgy Cardamom Squares have been featured in this book.
4. Prashad At Home – Kaushy Patel
Review
“An excellent introduction to the delights of Indian vegetarian cooking… A valuable addition to your kitchen bookshelf, whether you are a veggie or not.” – Handmade Living Magazine
About the book
Kaushy Patel’s Prashad At Home aims to simplify traditional Indian recipes with readily available ingredients. This is a really good vegetarian cookbook for beginners.
The restaurant, Prashad in Drighlington, England was highly praised by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay – “Prashad – the smallest restaurant with the biggest heart.”
5. Entice With Spice – Shubhra Ramineni
Review
“Shubhra is a great cooking instructor. She is teaching food she knows intimately, and yet she is always learning something new and bringing that to the kitchen. Her passion for Indian food and her ability to pass that on to her students is her greatest gift. She removes the mystery from Indian cooking and makes it easy, quick, and tasty.” – Jason Cammack, Culinary Coordinator, Sur La Table
About the book
With her book, Entice With Spice, author Shubhra Ramineni focuses on how to prepare scrumptious meals at home without spending hours in the kitchen. Features recipes like Chicken Kebabs, Pepper Shrimp on a Stick, Easy Lamb Curry, and Fish with Tamarind Curry.
6. Madhur Jaffrey’s Ultimate Curry Bible
Review
“The perfect gift for those who warm to the thrills of a well-made curry, it is the definitive guide.” – Tom Parker Bowles, Mail on Sunday
About the book
Madhur Jaffrey’s Ultimate Curry Bible features over 150 delicious curry recipes. Starting with Indian curries, the book moves forward with distinct Asian and European flavors. Recipe ideas for curry accompaniments like rice, bread, chutneys, relishes, and sweets are also given in the book. Definitely one of the best selling cookbooks on Indian cooking.
7. The Curry Secret – Kris Dhillon
About the book
The Curry Secret by Kris Dhillon was first published over 20 years ago and has become a classic go-to cookbook for Indian cuisine. Recipes like Chicken Tikka Masala, Onion Bhajee, Aloo Gobi, and Lamb Biryani have been featured.
8. The Dal Cookbook – Krishna Dutta
About the book
Starring the humble ingredient – Dal! From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, this cookbook by Krishna Dutta features over 50 dal recipes.
9. Indian-ish – Priya Krishna
Review
“Priya’s writing features the hilarious, heartwarming stories about her family, and while I’ve never met her parents, I feel like I know them (mom loves a good wine pairing, dad loves yogurt, both love Dunkin’ Donuts). Not a lot of cookbooks pack as much personality and fun–plus these are guaranteed cookable, fantastic recipes.” – Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit
About the book
Writer Priya Krishna’s lively book is full of Indian-American hybrid recipes. Quirky, modern recipes like Roti Pizza, Tomato Rice with Crispy Cheddar, Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Green Pea Chutney, and Malaysian Ramen feature in this cookbook.
10. I Love India – Anjum Anand
About the book
Anjum Anand’s I Love India is a personal collection of recipes that celebrates Indian food. Recipes and stories from coast to city, morning to midnight, and past to present.
11. Season – Nik Sharma
Review
“Quite simply beautiful food-wide-ranging, inspiring, and infused with an enlivening and generous sensibility.” – Nigella Lawson, author of At My Table
About the book
The cookbook includes 100 easy-to-cook and delicious recipes with stunning photography (James Beard Nominee 2019 for Best Cookbook Photography). A wonderful cookbook for exploring the bold flavors of Indian cooking. Some recipes featured in the cookbook are Deviled Eggs with Creamy Tahini and Za’atar, Chat Masala-Grilled Pork Chops, Spicy Chocolate Chip-Hazelnut Cookies, Apple Masala Chai Cake, and more.
12. Cooking from the Heart – Pankajam
About the book
Rasam, pickles, podis, aviyal, rice, sweets and so much more. Pankajam ‘s Cooking from the Heart records the fine art of cooking from a Master who has lived an entire life feeding generations.
13. The Andhra Cookbook – Komala Sista Rao
About the book
The Andhra Cookbook is a compilation of the authors’ family culinary legacy. A mix of well-chosen, delectable vegetarian home recipes that will make you fall in love with Andhra style of cooking.
14. The Complete Gujarati Cook Book – Tarla Dalal
About the book
This book by Tarla Dalal is an attempt to document the classic Gujarati recipes for the inexperienced beginners as well as the connoisseur. Your love for Gujarati food is about to magnify tenfold!
15. Ruchira – Kamalabai Ogale
About the book
A household name in most Maharashtrian homes, Kamalabai Ogale’s Ruchira presents selected vegetarian Maharashtrian recipes including thalipeet and vangi bhat. This is undoubtedly one of the top cookbooks for beginners who want to experiment with Maharashtrian cuisine.
16. Spice Sorcery – Husna Rahaman
About the book
Delectable recipes, stories, and the aroma of Kutchi Memon cooking right into your kitchen. Recipes like keema and masoor dal biryani are featured in this cookbook.
17. The Lucknow Cookbook – Chand Sur And Sunita Kohli
About the book
Sunita Kohli and Chand Sur bring together 150 well-loved dishes in this cookbook celebrating the Lucknowi tehzeeb and nazaakat. Featuring delectable recipes like kebabs, biryanis, parathas, puddings and so much more.
18. The Indian Vegetarian Cookbook – Pushpesh Pant
Review
“No one can get more flavor out of vegetables like those from Indian cuisine – and this book doesn’t fail to impress. These are clever recipes from all over India to give your vegetable repertoire a new lease on life!” – Vanilla (Australia)
“It’s safe to say Pushpesh Pant really knows what he’s talking about… This collection really shows just how valued vegetables are in Indian cuisine… The huge flavors created in this collection of recipes will suit vegetarians, meat-eaters, and meat-reducers to boot!” – The Vegetarian
About the book
Pushpesh Pant’s cookbook is an impressive collection of 150 healthy and approachable vegetarian recipes. These recipes are easy, nourishing, and so tasty and satisfying.
19. Indian Cookery Course – Monisha Bharadwaj
Review
‘Monisha Bharadwaj, an Indian cooking authority,’ – The New York Times
About the book
From the earthy lentils of the North to the coconut-based curries of the South, Monisha Bhardwaj’s cookbook dives into techniques and step-by-step master classes to help you recreate classic and popular recipes.
20. Pakodas: The Snack for all Seasons – Sangeeta Khanna
About the book
As the book title mentions, pakodas truly are the snack for all seasons. The book is divided into three broad sections – vegetarian pakodas, non-vegetarian pakodas, and some lip-smacking chutneys without which the experience of eating pakodas is diminished.
21. Tiffin – Sonal Ved
About the book
Sonal Ved’s Tiffin features over 500 authentic regional recipes from all 29 states of India. As we mentioned earlier, India is a diverse country and you cannot define Indian cuisine in a few words. This cookbook celebrates the food diversity of our glorious nation.
22. The East Indian Kitchen – Michael Swamy
About the book
A cookbook exploring the enduring flavors of the lesser-explored Maharashtrian-Portuguese cuisine. Flavor, culture, stories, and history are all rolled up in one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few interesting FAQs on Indian Cookbooks.
1. What is the best Indian cookbook for beginners?
The book “Prashad at Home” by Kaushy Patel is a fantastic vegetarian cookbook for beginners. It simplifies the traditional Indian recipes with readily available ingredients at home.
2. What is the most authentic Indian cookbook?
Curry Easy by Madhur Jaffrey, Madhur Jaffrey’s Ultimate Curry Bible, The Curry Secret by Kris Dhillon, Rick Stein’s India, and The Spice Tree are some of the best Indian Cookbooks.
3. What is the best Indian cookbook to buy?
Indian cuisine cannot be defined or contained in one large bracket. We have mentioned the top 11 best-selling Indian cookbooks one can try based on the cuisine or recipes one wants.
For Instance, if you looking for –
1. Best Indian Curries Cookbook: 50 Greatest Curries of India by Camellia Punjabi
2. Best Andhra Dishes Cookbook: The Andhra Cookbook by Komala Sista Rao
3. Best Indian Dals Cookbooks: Dal Cookbook by Krishna Dutta
4. All about Gujarati Cuisine: The Complete Gujarati Cookbook by Tarla Dalal
5. Best Snacks Recipes Cookbook: Pakodas by Sangeeta Khanna
Final Words
Cookbooks have that rustic charm that a quick search on your smartphone cannot provide. These are filled with detailed recipes with easy to follow procedure & immense tips and tricks to make the process more smooth. So with the above list of 22 options, which ones are you excited to add to your collection?
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