Indiaclub.com Description

From Author's Foreword

Indian cuisine has been shaped over the centuries by man forces. And, the many components of this rich cuisine, which range from Indian breads to gravies, from rice to pickles, each boasts of a host of traditional recipes.

Gravies add body to Indian recipes. Just as rotis and rice form the staple diet in Indian cuisine, the gravy plays an indispensable role as an accompaniment for these. I was initially very eager to know how people make so many varieties of gravy with a single vegetable. Then, I realized that it is easy to make any kind of dish if the basic technique of making the gravy is known. Thus, I started learning about the numerous forms of basic gravies including onion-tomato, only tomato, green masala, curd, cashewnut, coconut, poppy seeds, etc., and innovated by blending various ideas! Cooking a vegetable curry might seem like a mammoth task, but it can be done in a jiffy if you have the masla paste ready on hand. One can make a masala paste in bulk and keep it in the fridge for use in small quantities whenever required. I often prepare the paste a few days before, if know I will be expecting guests or if I am too busy with other things that do not allow me enough time in the kitchen on weekdays.