Eat Smart in India: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods & Embark on a Tasting Adventure

Many Americans and Britons have eaten Indian foods in the United States and Britain, where Indian restaurants are increasingly a large part of the culinary scene. Despite the popularity of Indian restaurants in the West, travelers to India often retreat to the "comfort" of their hotel restaurants rather than venturing out to eat at the small, family-run restaurants and street stalls where some of the best Indian food is to be had. Lack of knowledge about Indian foods deters many people from experiencing the remarkably interesting cuisines of this country. Joan Peterson's "Eat Smart in India" (in her series of "Eat Smart" books) solves this problem. Her book is chock full of information about India's varied and colorful cuisines. "Eat Smart in India" provides an overview of India's history, an in-depth look at the country's regional foods, and a selection of Indian recipes from appetizers to desserts, with color photographs of many of the dishes. But "Eat Smart in India" is much more than an introduction to the culinary cultures of this fascinating country. It's also a practical guidebook that you'll want to take along on your next trip there. One chapter gives helpful phrases (with their pronunciation) for use in restaurants and food markets. An extensive Menu Guide lists menu items alphabetically, with a description of each dish, followed by a Foods & Flavors Guide with a comprehensive list (and explanation) of Indian ingredients, spices, kitchen utensils, and cooking terminology. And the bibliography is useful to readers who want to delve even further into this subject. As the author states in the Preface, "What better way to get to know a culture than through its cuisine?" "Eat Smart in India" is a culinary guidebook that should be packed in the luggage of every traveler to India. I've also found it to be a very useful guide to dishes offered at Indian restaurants in the United States. Highly recommended! ----- Sharon Hudgins, author of "The Other Side of Russia: A Slice of Life in Siberia and the Russian Far East"

This latest in Joan Peterson's brainy food travel series is, like her previous guides, small enough to slip into a carry-on and dense with wisdom about how to eat and drink like a local. Peterson and her Indian-born co-author, Indu Menon, neatly handle the history and development of a very complicated cuisine, provide useful food and phrase glossaries, and walk readers through the culinary regions of India dish by dish.--Terese Allen, The Isthmus, Madison WI

There is no more satisfying way to become immersed in a new culture than to mingle with the local people in the places where they enjoy good food and conversation-in their favorite neighborhood cafes, restaurants, picnic spots or outdoor markets. ~Joan Peterson Joan Peterson has written Eat Smart guides for Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland and Morocco. She loves to travel and this led her to the creation of the Eat Smart series. Co-author Indu Menon is also a world traveler and was born in India. Together, Joan and Indu delve into a rich culinary history and have created a useful guide for real-life travelers or home chefs who want to explore Indian cuisine. This guide also includes: Recipes for the weekend gourmet Food and Flavors Guide - bilingual translations for virtually everything on an Indian menu Featured dishes that are considered to be a "national favorite" "Eat Smart" guides are unique, portable and very readable. Eat Smart in India is the seventh and newest title in the series. The contents include: The Cuisine of India - A historical survey of the development of India's cuisine Regional Indian Food - A quick tour through the Indian kitchen and around the country Tastes of India - A selection of easy-to-prepare recipes Shopping in India's Food Markets - Discover foods in exciting outdoor food markets Resources - A listing of stores, culinary tours and organizations Helpful Phrases - Phrases for use in restaurants and other useful phrases Menu Guide - Menu entries in transliterated Hindi Food and Flavors Guide - Comprehensive glossary of ingredients, kitchen utensils and cooking methods If you are dreaming of sumptuous boat cruises on the tranquil waterways of Kerala or are dreaming of visiting spice plantations retreats in the hills of Tamil Nadu, this book will inspire you. I loved reading about the artful blending of spices and the intoxicating descriptions of food preparation. If you have yet to discover nigella seeds, they are delicious on naan bread. Once you read the recipe for "Kachhe Gosht ki Biryani" you might be running to the store for cilantro, saffron and cardamom pods. Basmati rice has the scent of buttered popcorn and I can't think of any rice I love more. If you are interested in taking a culinary tour, there is information for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the culture and cuisine. The pictures of the "water apple" had me intrigued. I must warn you; this book will make you quite hungry. I might take this book with me the next time I go out to eat at a local Indian restaurant. I keep ordering Tandoori chicken and Biryani, but now I realize there are so many dishes I want to try. Some of the recipes include: Ghee, Paneer, Masala Chai, Sheer Khurma and Murgh Tikka Buter Masala (marinated grilled chicken pieces are grilled and then cooked in a buttery tomato and cream sauce). ~The Rebecca Review

The impressive collaboration of Joan Peterson and Indu Menon (and enhanced with b/w illustrations by Susan Chwae), Eat Smart In India: How To Decipher The Menu, Know The Market Foods & Embark On A Tasting Adventure is a very special culinary travel guide for anyone wanting to go abroad and experiencing the greatest tastes that East India cuisines and restaurants have to offer. From knowing the menu; to selecting market foods; to gathering sample recipes; to the culture behind the regional and ethnic cuisine, and so much more, Eat Smart In India is a superbly organized and presented supplementary resource for vacationers, business travelers, and dedicated gourmets seeking truly memorable dining experiences while visiting India -- and who wish to recreate ethnic and regional dishes when they are back home again! Eat Smart In India is but the latest addition to a unique series of culinary travel books from Ginkgo Press.