Critique du Publishers Weekly

Australian celebrity chef Kuruvita (Serendip) serves up an appetizing collection of vegetable dishes from his Sri Lankan upbringing and Asian travels in this deeply satisfying book. Recipes come from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and Kuruvita details each country's essential flavors, spices, and vegetables--all of which are accompanied by rich, appealing photographs. Kuruvita offers bountiful recipes for everything from street food (fried leek pastries) and stews (mixed vegetable curry with plantain and bitter melon) to breads (coconut roti) and chutneys (rhubarb with coriander and fennel). Legumes are a significant part of the diet on the subcontinent, and feature in piaju, crisp black lentil and onion fritters from Bangladesh; Afghan falafel; and pindi chole, a Pakistani chickpea curry. Paneer, a cheese staple in India, and Nepal's spinach and cheese momos emphasize the abundance of dairy in various regions. Kuruvita also includes chapters on rice, soups, sweets, and drinks, providing a well-rounded representation of each region's cuisine. For those looking to expand their mealtime routine, Kuruvita is an apt guide with recipes that will not disappoint. (Oct.)