“It was the aroma. The exotic scent of spices: rich, alluring, and almost magical. A scent that would sometimes overpower the freshness in the air and sometimes subtly mingle with it to create a tantalizing bouquet. A scent that would always bring me back to my childhood.”
Author: Christina Arokiasamy
Such is the introduction to The Spice Merchant’s Daughter: Recipes and Simple Spice Blends for the American Kitchen. This book is first and foremost a cookbook but the recipes and their star ingredients, the spices, are introduced through a foundation of anecdotes and traditional knowledge from Arokiasamy’s spice-infused childhood. The book has a beautiful composure and instantly feels like an old friend that is happy to be in your kitchen and share your company.
There are recipes for the table, recipes for health, and the overall effect is a book that is a recipe for sharing and enjoying.
Why I like it: True to the title, the recipes are geared for the American kitchen or the non-Indian kitchen. They are easy to follow, fun to modify, and the results are awesome. We made the Saffron Pilaf and it was like eating your way through a saffron, Indian-spice flavored cloud. And believe me, I’m not proud to admit this but rice is not my strong point in the kitchen. If I can emerge with spiced fluff for rice you know it’s a quality recipe!
In addition to breaking the book down into the expected food categories, the most fun and interesting chapter (besides the intriguing introduction) is The Spice Pantry. Not only does it provide a thorough list of essential Indian spices along with their explanations but there are great call-outs such as The Healing Power of Herbs and Spices. This sidebar offers fun and useful information.
Here’s one healing spice example which is just in time for Thanksgiving: ” Add a pinch of anise seed to yogurt to aid digestion.”
Don’t confuse this book with the novel, The Spice Merchant’s Daughter. I haven’t read it but after a little reviewing it appears to teeter on the edge of one of those Harlequin romance novels. Doubt I’ll be adding to the Spice Sherpa Bookshelf.
Speaking of bookshelves, I’m curious if you agree with me on this one. Yeah, yeah…you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. True. But an artsy cover sure sparks up your library! This book gives a cool patina to the cookbook shelf.
November 18, 2010 at 5:10 pm
That looks like an interesting book, and I love the cover too! One of my favourite ‘food’ books is “Gluten Free Girl: How I Found the Food that Loves Me Back”. I’d love to read her newest book too, “Gluten Free Girl and the Chef: A Love Story”.
November 19, 2010 at 7:45 am
A gluten-free love story. I immediately think Chocolat or Like Water for Chocolate (you always know my mind!) 🙂 Sounds nice, it’s always wonderful to find a good book. Thanks for checking in!
November 22, 2010 at 3:11 am
I DO love the cover of that book! Oooh! So many books, I can’t choose just one, but Appetite by Nigel Slater, The Fireside Cookbook by James Beard and How to Eat by Nigella Lawson – these I would run out of my burning house with 😉
November 23, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Denise–I’ll have to make a list of books to check out. I prefer books that go beyond recipes and indulge in the history, culture and place of the food. In the case of spices it always ends up being rather entertaining and not at all lecture-y.
November 27, 2010 at 12:44 am
I like the cookbook, like the cover. I don’t have a favorite cookbook, but my favorite culinary book, if I may say, is The Flavor Bible, I learned a lot and still have lots to learn.
I passed an award for you on my blog, feel free to drop by and pick it up
November 28, 2010 at 10:24 am
Green Girl–You’re so kind! BTW, your holiday post gave my Christmas spirit a boost. I did look for the award but couldn’t find it?
As for the Flavor Bible—I’m ordering it…today! What an amazing book! Many thanks for sharing that golden nugget.
January 4, 2011 at 7:46 pm
I hadn’t heard of this book…I’m going to order it, so thanks for the review! In terms of food books I love, I would remiss if I didn’t mention my “namesake” book, The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Don’t bother with the movie version, but the book is lovely! P.S. Happy new year!!!