Masala Memsahib : Recipes and Stories from My Culinary Adventures in India

Celebrated food writer and cook, Karen Anand is a well-known name in the Indian culinary world. What remain lesser known, however, are her unconventional introduction and schooling into Indian cooking, her extensive travels and European upbringing. These, in fact, helped her deconstruct the distinct and boisterous concoctions of Indian cooking which are mostly misunderstood and unfairly labelled ‘daunting’. Anand has come a long way – from the world of Parisian cooking to the rich flavours of India. Having perfected her hand at Indian delicacies over years, she is no stranger to the conundrums of every modern Indian, especially those living far from home who want all the goodness of Indian home food sans the fuss. And that’s exactly what Karen Anand is here to offer – a treasure trove of culinary knowledge devoid of any intimidating techniques. This self-confessed Masala Memsahib has taken the task of de-mystifying Indian cooking and making it accessible for all upon herself. For this, she has sifted through years of experience, information and memories to unlock the secret behind the rich flavours of Indian cuisine – the baffling masala. This simplistic yet cohesive guide to modern Indian cooking unlocks all complexities and takes you on an effervescent journey through Anand’s travels and tales that revolve around food. With over 100 scrumptious recipes that span from Goa to West Bengal, stunning photographs and uncountable anecdotes, Anand’s dazzling food-memoir surfs up unique insights into the various influences that shape the food of a place and people. In Masala Memsahib, Karen Anand lays bare the delicious diversity of Indian cuisine beyond the tropes of butter chicken and overdone curries and brings the reader closer home to experience its authentic taste and quirks.