具体描述
From aab gosht to zeera, this is a wordlist of Hindi (and some regional) terms for food and dishes throughout the sub-continent. A handy pocket size, it is essential company when going to the market, food store or restaurant. Travellers and enthusiasts of Indian food will come to rely on it. Joyce P. Westrip was born in India and has spent a lifetime travelling the country, cooking the food and studying the food history. Her important book on Moghal cookery is also being published, by our colleagues Serif Books, during the course of the year.
A Tapestry of Flavors: Unveiling the Culinary Soul of the Subcontinent A comprehensive exploration of global gastronomy, this volume delves deep into the diverse and intricate world of international cooking, offering readers an immersive journey across continents without touching upon the specific culinary landscape of India. This expansive work, meticulously curated and richly illustrated, is designed for the dedicated home cook, the seasoned professional chef, and the passionate food historian alike. It is an ambitious undertaking, seeking to capture the essence of global food traditions, charting the evolution of techniques, ingredients, and cultural narratives that have shaped what we eat today, from the frost-bitten plains of the North Atlantic to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean and the vibrant streetscapes of East Asia. Part I: The Foundations of Flavor – Ancient Roots and Global Exchange The initial section sets the stage by examining the bedrock of human cooking: the mastery of fire, the development of preservation techniques, and the profound impact of early agricultural revolutions. We trace the migration of staple crops—the diffusion of wheat across Europe, the adoption of maize in the Americas, and the spread of rice cultivation through Asia—analyzing how these foundational elements dictated the development of regional cuisines. A significant portion is dedicated to the Roman culinary empire, dissecting the recipes preserved in Apicius, and charting how Roman trade routes disseminated essential ingredients like garum (fermented fish sauce) and olive oil across their vast dominion. We then pivot sharply to the medieval kitchens of Western Europe, exploring the sophisticated use of spices (imported via complex Venetian and Arab networks) in aristocratic French and English cooking, long before these same spices became commonplace elsewhere. This part concludes with an in-depth look at the Age of Exploration, not merely as a period of conquest, but as an unparalleled era of culinary exchange. We detail the dramatic introduction of New World ingredients—potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, and vanilla—into European, African, and Asian diets, examining the slow, sometimes hesitant, integration of these novel flavors into established culinary systems, noting the specific ways these ingredients were adopted, or intentionally rejected, in different global zones. Part II: The European Mosaic – From Rustic Simplicity to Haute Cuisine The heart of this volume lies in a detailed geographical and historical survey of European gastronomy, treating each region as a distinct universe of flavor profiles. The Mediterranean Heartlands: We dedicate extensive chapters to the culinary philosophy of the Mediterranean basin, focusing intently on the trinity of olive oil, wheat, and wine. The exploration of Italian cuisine moves beyond generic trattoria fare to meticulously detail the regional variations, from the butter-and-cream-centric cooking of Piedmont and Lombardy, defined by their proximity to Alpine traditions, to the robust, tomato-driven sauces of Campania and Sicily, emphasizing the unique role of aged cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano) as flavor amplifiers. Similarly, Spanish gastronomy is examined through the lens of its Moorish heritage, exploring the sophisticated use of saffron, almonds, and citrus in Andalusian preparations, contrasted sharply with the smoky paprika-infused pork dishes of the northern regions. Greek cuisine is analyzed for its reliance on fresh herbs, yogurt, and the prominence of lamb and seafood. The Northern and Eastern Edges: Moving northward, the narrative shifts to the heavier, more preservative-focused cuisines necessitated by colder climates. Scandinavian cooking is presented as a masterclass in fermentation, curing, and pickling—a celebration of herring, rye bread, and root vegetables. We explore the contrasting approaches to dairy in these regions, from the creamy richness of Scandinavian butter to the sharper tang of Eastern European soured milk products. The chapters on German and Slavic cooking highlight the centrality of potatoes, cabbage (in its myriad forms, from sauerkraut to stuffed leaves), and dark rye. Detailed case studies are presented on the technical nuances of creating perfect pierogi, knödel, and borscht, focusing on the broth base and the balance of acidity. French Mastery: The French section is treated as a historical study of codified technique. We trace the evolution from the robust medieval fare to the refined structure established by Carême and Escoffier. This analysis separates the foundational "mother sauces" not just by recipe, but by their historical context—how the béchamel evolved to suit Parisian palates, and how the development of the modern restaurant structure codified these techniques for global dissemination. Specific attention is paid to regional specialties, such as the butter-and-apple character of Normandy versus the rich, wine-braised stews of Burgundy. Part III: Asia Beyond the Indus – Empires of Rice and Spice This section navigates the expansive and often misunderstood culinary territories of East, Southeast, and Central Asia, maintaining a strict delineation from South Asian influences. East Asia’s Precision: The focus here is on textural contrast, umami development, and visual presentation. Japanese cuisine is explored through the philosophy of shun (peak seasonality) and the meticulous preparation of fish, examining the differing roles of soy sauce (shoyu) and miso across Kantō and Kansai regions. Techniques like dashi preparation, the art of tempura batter, and the deep-sea harvest of seaweed receive dedicated chapters. Chinese gastronomy is dissected not as a monolith, but as the dynamic interplay of the Eight Great Cuisines, with significant emphasis placed on Sichuan’s precise heat balance (using both dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns for numbing (ma) and hot (la) effects) and Cantonese mastery of steaming and stir-frying, focusing heavily on the wok’s heat management. Southeast Asian Vibrancy: The cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are characterized by the exhilarating collision of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements. We analyze the critical role of aromatic pastes in Thai cooking, distinguishing between the complexity of a homemade red curry base versus simpler green curry preparations, focusing on the use of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime. Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for its reliance on fresh herbs, the savory depth of nước chấm dipping sauces, and the architecture of a perfect phở broth, achieved through hours of patient simmering of beef bones and charred aromatics. Central Asian Nomadic Influences: A journey through the steppes reveals cuisines shaped by pastoral traditions. This involves detailed instruction on the making of traditional flatbreads baked in tandoor ovens, the art of preserving meat through drying and smoking, and the centrality of dairy products like yogurt and kefir. The volume provides extensive instruction on preparing plov (pilaf), detailing the precise layering and cooking sequence of rice, carrots, onions, and cuts of mutton that defines this signature dish across Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Part IV: The Americas – From Ancient Grains to Modern Fusion The final major section explores the culinary narratives that unfolded in the Western Hemisphere, emphasizing indigenous traditions before and after contact. Mesoamerican Foundations: We delve into the ancient culinary heritage of Mexico and Central America, examining the sacred importance of maize (corn) and the complex chemical process of nixtamalization required to transform it into usable masa. Detailed attention is given to the sophisticated use of various dried and fresh chilies, the foundational role of beans and squash (the "Three Sisters"), and the preparation of mole sauces, often involving dozens of ingredients including nuts, seeds, spices, and chocolate. The Andean Table: Focus shifts to the high-altitude cuisines of Peru and Bolivia, characterized by the use of diverse potato varieties, quinoa, and camelid meats. We explore techniques for cooking with heat retained in the earth (pachamanca) and the preparation of vibrant citrus-cured fish dishes, analyzing the balance of acidity and fresh herbs that define this coastal-highland food culture. North American Regionalism: The concluding chapters dissect the evolution of North American foodways, separating the deep traditions of Cajun and Creole cooking in Louisiana (examining the ‘holy trinity’ of celery, onion, and bell pepper) from the heavy reliance on cured meats and hardy baking traditions of the American Northeast. The volume concludes with an analysis of contemporary Californian cuisine—a synthesis of global techniques applied to hyper-local, seasonal ingredients, showcasing minimalist aesthetics and maximal flavor impact. This book stands as a definitive global culinary atlas, mapping out the histories, ingredients, techniques, and philosophical underpinnings of the world's great food cultures, offering a profound appreciation for the interconnected yet distinct journeys taken by human beings in feeding themselves and celebrating life through food, everywhere else.
