Nani's Vegetarian Cooking (1st Edition)

Author Vidya Agrawal Chokshi accomplishes her goal in Nani's Vegetarian Cooking, providing recipes for simple, flavorful and satisfying Indian vegetarian dishes inspired by her nani (maternal grandmother). The book is packed with recipes covering a variety of appetizers, beverages, desserts, rice dishes, lentils, and breads, allowing both novices and experts to fully develop a menu that can be used for formal and casual occasions. The appetizer section presents a mouth-watering array of fritters and filled-pastries. The distinctive breads and chutneys of Indian cuisine are featured, as well as a beverage section with ideas for refreshing teas and the fruit and yogurt smoothie called Lassi. While the book is not illustrated, Nani's Vegetarian Cooking is well organized and extremely clear with each cooking step highlighted in considerable detail and is a literal encyclopedia of Indian vegetarian recipes crafted by Vidya Agrawal Chokshi.

Vidya Agrawal Chokshi was born and brought up as a vegetarian in the northern hills of India and has maintained a deep passion for vegetarian cooking since her college years. Her love for vegetarian meals was not borne out of any fad; rather it is a way of life for her just as it is for millions of other Americans. After completing her Bachelors in Education in India, she came to the US to pursue her graduate studies and completed her Masters in Education from Marygrove College in Michigan. During her college years in the early 1970s, she started adapting some of her nani's mouthwatering recipes as many of the spices needed to cook these meals were not as readily available as in today's global environment. All the vegetables depicted on the cover except for the cauliflower were grown in her garden. Vidya and her husband of 32 years live in New England as do her son and daughter-in-law.