"Diners hesitant to attempt Indian dishes will be reassured by the steady, reassuring voice of culinary expert Mittal. In this collection of over 100 classic and contemporary dishes, readers are guided, literally, through step by step instructions...Approachable enough for a beginner...Mittal has an eye for presentation as well...home cooks will find this a handy, confidence-building guide to vegetarian fare."

This colorful, accessible cookbook by a noted Indian cooking teacher and food writer demystifies Indian cuisine for American home cooks with clear, simple instructions accompanied by step-by-step photos...For those interested in adding a colorful side dish to their repertoire or creating an entire Indian vegetarian meal, this is the perfect guide.

Beautiful step-by-step photographs of over 100 recipes, both classic and contemporary, with all the information you need about spices, cooking utensils and cooking processes. There are menus and a glossary and the author, based in Bangalore and a vegetarian herself, will set you on the path to a culinary adventure. For starters, try the Mixed Vegetable Pilaf; Basmati rice with potatoes, cauliflower, green peas, cumin, turmeric, and that wonder of Indian cookingghee, or clarified butter."

That this is not your typical cookbook is evident as your eyes glance over the step-by-step colorful photographs of the more than 100 vegetarian recipes from Uttar Pradesh. India's most populous state is the native place of the Bangalore-based culinary expert Vidhu Mittal. Also thoughtful is the 9-by-11-inch size of the book, which comes in handy when preparing a recipe. And then there are the separate sections with valuable information on spices, vegetables, legumes and kitchen equipment. A glossary of food and cooking terms is a clever idea. The chapters for the recipes are Drinks, Soups & Salads; Snacks & Appetizers; Main Courses; Rice & Breads; Accompaniments; and Desserts. The recipes tout the title of the book: 'Pure & Simple'.

A good starter book for Indian cuisine that isn't whitewashed restaurant food. Great illustrations for food and processes, and a huge variety of recipes...Verdict: Check it out.