In Northwest Ohio, we are incredibly fortunate to have an array of restaurants featuring quality cuisines from around the world. Takeout is great, but sometimes it’s also nice to experiment with cooking dishes at home, especially if you’re working with a limited budget.

A few years ago, I received a wonderful cookbook entitled 660 Curries (available in print and eBook). Let me just say, my first attempts at making Indian cuisine didn’t go so well. One of my test subjects commented on the fiery nature of the dish (too much spice isn’t very nice).

What can I say? There may be bumps in the road when you’re trying new dishes. Don’t let those little hiccups discourage you. Sometimes it all comes down to trial and error, so experiment until you find what works.

My favorite recipes so far from the 660 Curries cookbook are Coconut Chicken with Potatoes, Ginger Chicken with Peanuts and Coconut, Shrimp with Basil Peanut Pesto, Gingered Chickpeas, and Chickpeas with a Spicy Tomato Sauce.

There’s just something about Indian cuisine that penetrates the senses. The dishes are fabulously fragrant with spice combinations that are simply out of this world. Once you take that first bite, you’re hooked.

On a quest for cooking inspiration?

Look no further than the cookbooks in this post, which highlight the variety you’ll find in the world of Indian cuisine.

Cookbooks Featuring Indian Cuisine

Chaat: The Best Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India

By Maneet Chauhan and Jody Eddy

Print

Many may recognize Chauhan from the hit Food Network television series Chopped. This amazing cookbook features personal stories, colorful illustrations, and delicious recipes inspired by Chauhan’s cross-country railway trip through India where she visited family, friends, local markets, and street vendors along the way. After you flip through the pages, you’ll be inspired to try several of the recipes like the Goan Fried Shrimp Turnovers, Chicken Momo Dumplings, Chicken Biryani Rice Casserole, Chai (spiced tea), Raj Kachori Chaat (stuffed bread), and so many more delectable dishes.

Indian for Everyone: The Home Cook’s Guide to Traditional Favorites

By Anupy Singla

Print   |   eBook (hoopla):

Singla shares her expertise in this collection of delectable dishes that are sure to please your taste buds. Give one of these recipes a whirl: Mango Lassi, Kachumber (Indian Salsa), Angoor Chaat (Tangy Grape Salad), Baked Tandoori Cauliflower, North Indian Tempeh Curry, Tandoori Chicken, or Indo-Chinese Chile Chicken.

Indian-ish: Recipes and Antics from a Modern American Family

By Priya Krishna

Print   |   eBook (OverDrive)   |   eBook (hoopla)

Named one of the best cookbooks of Spring 2019 by the New York Times, this book is filled with Indian American recipes that are creative, practical, flavorful and easy to make. Try your hand at making the Spicy Chickpea Dip, Red Chile Potatoes, or Tomato Rice with Crispy Cheddar.

Indian Cooking Unfolded: A Master Class in Indian Cooking, with 100 Easy Recipes Using 10 Ingredients or Less

By Raghavan Iyer

Print   |   eBook (hoopla):

A unique spin on traditional recipes, this cookbook uses ingredients you can find at most local supermarkets. Explore inventive recipes like Collard Greens Roulade, Potato Chile Bread, Toasted Chile-Peanut Spread, Tart Chickpea Salad, Indian Slaw, Chickpea Pan Crepes with Onion, Turmeric Hash Browns, Ultimate Chicken Curry, Sassy Chickpea Curry, and Ginger Cardamon Tea.

Rasika: Flavors of India

By Ashok Bajaj and Vikram Sunderam

Print   |   eBook (hoopla):

Rasika is a well-known Indian restaurant in Washington, D.C. Learn how to make incredible dishes from experienced and celebrated chef Vikram Sunderam. Give one of these flavorsome recipes a shot: Ginger-Garlic Paste, Kashmiri Chili Paste, Chapati (Indian flatbread), Green Beans Chili Garlic, Chicken Makhani (Butter Chicken), or Chocolate Samosas.

Healthful Indian Flavors with Alamelu

By Alamelu Vairavan

Print   |   eBook (hoopla)

Fans of the PBS cooking show (same name) will appreciate the stories and recipes in this amazing cookbook. Test out one of these flavorful recipes: Cream of Wheat Uppuma, Chickpea and Apple Rice, Butternut Squash Masala, Turkey Meatballs, Spice-Rubbed Roasted Chicken, or Chicken with Potatoes in Ginger Garlic Sauce.

My Indian Kitchen: Preparing Delicious Indian Meals Without Fear or Fuss

By Hari Nayak

Print   |   eBook (hoopla)

This in-depth book features authentic homestyle Indian dishes. Nayak provides tips on grinding spices, preparing spice mixes, storing spices, cooking techniques, and essential kitchen tools. Learn how to prepare dishes that will wake up your taste buds like Crispy Masala Fish Fingers, Smoky Eggplant Dip, Indian-Style Lentil Soup, Northern Chickpea Curry, Bengali Potatoes with Spices, Whole Wheat Griddle Breads, Chicken Tikka Masala, Watermelon Mint Ice, and Pistachio Biscotti.

Vegan Indian Cooking: 140 Simple and Healthy Vegan Recipes

By Anupy Singla

Print   |   eBook (hoopla)

This colorful cookbook features a variety of recipes that are healthy, flavorful, and easy to prepare. Create delicious dishes like the South Indian Crepes (Dosas), North Indian Tomato Soup, Spiced Stovetop Popcorn, Spicy Bean Salad (Chana Chaat), Chickpea Poppers, Spicy Sweet Potato Patties (Aloo Tikki), North Indian Hummus, Chana Masala Legumes, and many more.

The Indian Cooking Course: Techniques, Masterclasses, Ingredients, 300 Recipes

By Monisha Bharadwaj

Print

Learn how to make North Indian lentil dishes, South Indian curries, the perfect rice, raitas, chutneys, deserts, drinks and so much more with this comprehensive guide to Indian cuisine.

Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul

By Aarti Sequeira

Print

A collection of memories, recipes and tips from Aarti, the popular Food Network personality and blogger. In this colorful book, Aarti blends Indian, Middle Eastern and American cuisines with inventive recipes like Masala Kale Chips, Crispy Masala Potato Wedges, Quinoa Tabbouleh, Mango Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Bombay Sloppy Joes, and Homemade “Magic Shell” with Garam Masala and Sea Salt.

More Indian Cookbooks to Enjoy

Everyday Indian: 100 Fast, Fresh, and Healthy Recipes

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