Curries Without Worries

I am giving this a five star since it is one of the few cookbooks we refer to on a regular basis. I use the vegetable Pullao (rice) recipe regularly which gets me bonus points with my wife. We use the recipe for Whispering Windows Butter Chicken regularly. On occasion I have made the Tandori Chicken. There are several others that are good. I couldn't tell you how authentic it is but we really like the finished results. Like all recipes you can improvise if you like less or more of something or you don't have the exact ingredients. It will drive you to keep a lot of spices on hand. My only criticism is that the recipes are not usually something that you can prepare quickly. Follow the instructions for making Garam Masala. Your kitchen will smell wonderful for a couple of days.

I've had several dishes from this book and they have been easy to cook and delicious. Delicious not only to me, but also to 3 friends from India, who know how it could and should taste. Buy the newer 1996 edition, it's said to be better than the first edition around 1989. If a revised edition comes out, count me in to buy it. I also cook from similarly well known books by Madhur Jaffrey, Julie Sahni, and several others, and I rank it among the best.

I found the recipes to be the perfect blend of ease without sacrificing the authenciticy of the flavors. I also enjoy the variety in the book because it contains recipes from the diferent regions of India. Using the many ingredients easily available at the supermarket, adds to the ease of using this book. I use the book frequently and know that if followed correctly, the recipes turn out delicious.

Most of the recipies are easy enough to prepair, and also contain variety. Written seemingly from a practical stance, even people living on their own with limited resources (like myself) can produce decent dishes. A great gift for college students who like Indian cooking.

One thing is certain, Curries Without Worries is not a pretentious cookbook. The recipes are simple and straightforward, and the commentary dwells a lot on which family member loves which dish.Koul does a good job of demystifying the spices, ingredients and cooking styles that might otherwise trip up Western cooks. And -- of course -- the food is wonderful.