‘Some of the most interesting cookery books are those which tell you as much about the people as the cuisine which has evolved alongside them.’
The chef as a historian? While the notion may seem incongruous at first, it soon becomes clear that the search for a particular recipe and authentic flavours can lead to, or result from, fascinating journeys down the ages. The cuisine of a people unravels special insights, and raises several questions on how certain foods and spices make their way into a diet.
Enduring Flavours by Michael Swamy combines aspects of the culture, traditions and culinary practices followed by the Christian community – the East Indians of Mumbai. The narrative and recipes are enriched with sketches of artists Eustace Fernandes and photography by Michael and Pravin Pol.
The food is an eclectic fusion of Portuguese, British and coastal Maharashtrian, completely different from its Goan counterpart. The book is in fact a personal search for the essence of innumerable biographies, of roots, and of local history, and it’s author is a Cordon Bleu chef and one of India
Published by Westland
Price Rs 395
Available at all leading bookstores from mid April 2011 and on Amazon.com
