Topic: Ive had enough of recipe books . . .

[Mark J]

I want a book that teaches me to cook!

I've got so many Indian recipe books and so few of them actually have any decent instruction on cooking techniques. A recipe will give instruction on how long to stir fry/boil/simmer for in each step but not actually explain what you are looking for that designates the step is complete or any of the theory behind what is going on.

For example: typically after adding a spice paste into hot oil you are told stir fry for x or wait x minutes, and what you are actually waiting for is the oil to float which signifies that the masala is cooked.

The best book I own for talking about actual techniques is prashad (cooking with Indian masters)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/8170230063/qid=1139146602/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_0_4/026-2902072-0874813

It goes into real detail about each of the steps of Indian cooking (bhunno, bhargar etc) why,how and what to do at each step and many other tips from the chefs.


Does anyone know if an Indian cookery course exists on DVD or VHS? I dont mean like the balti kitchen for example which demonstrates the cooking of recipes more something that will spend half an hour on how to fry an onion 

I guess the real answer to this is to go on an Asian cooking course for a couple of years full time  ;D

[Graeme]

I felt sorry for this post.

I dont think a single book could ever teach us how to cook,
its a build up of stuff we can understand or relate to.

I have many books too, on reading them I notice many
errors i have made in the past.

Quite a few errors in the books too.

I dont think a single book will ever teach anyone how to cook
if they dont get stuck in and learn.

I also would like to add,
I think your looking at cooking as a science (some of us are above simple cooking, im sure)
ie, What really goes on when we cook onions for 15 mins or even when goes on when
we combine diffrent chemicals (spices) in a pan.

we have all heard the oil changes with temp !

However, peeps that know the science I doubt
could produce a indian bir style :-) as how many indian
chefs have a degree in economic science (cooking)
as it was called in in my school.

graeme.