Easy Indian Vegetarian: Delicious Recipes for Every Day

Makan (Chetna’s Indian Feasts), a 2014 Great British Bake Off contestant, shares her personal story of exploring Indian culinary traditions in this new cookbook, which uses the same spices and techniques readers found in her earlier books, while making the dishes accessible enough for everyday meals. Despite its title, the book lacks some of the basic features of many “easy” cookbooks, such as a glossary of pantry staples, cooking techniques, and essential tools. Still, recipes for snacks like banana masala balls and takeaway favorites including palak paneer will inspire readers to do a little research. The flavors that wowed Paul Hollywood sweeten up Makan’s desserts—including a jaggery treat—and the menu plans she provides at the end of the book invite cooks to follow her lead or experiment with their own pairings of dishes from different regions of India, with just the right balance of salty, spicy, sweet, and umami flavors.