FOOD FOR DELICIOUS BOOKS | SEEMA
THOUGHT
A host of cooking books go beyond mere recipes to imbue the writing with new meaning SHARMISTHA CHAUDHURI
A
ugust is a month that celebrates food. Yes, one has to go back to school but there’s no harm dreaming about ice cream sandwiches while learning math, is there? Just a simple search will tell you that August seemingly makes it a point to dedicate almost each day to some sort of food or drink. Not to mention that the entire month also celebrates paninis, peaches, and sandwiches. Lovers of watermelon, eat the fruit to your heart’s content on the third day of the month; bakers, get out the chocolate chips to make cookies the day after. How about setting up a backyard camp fire to make s’mores on a day that celebrates the toasted marshmallow and cracker combination? For health buffs, rejoice with trail mix at the end of the month. Also, let’s not forget bratwursts or lemon meringue pies, filet mignons or banana splits, whiskey sours or beer — no matter your taste buds, there is a day to celebrate your favorites. In the spirit of things, let us celebrate food. Not just books with recipes, but ones that delve deeper into what we eat and why we eat, through the lens of history, sociology, and science. And, nostalgia.
66 | SEEMA.COM | AUGUST 2021
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CURRY: A TALE OF COOKS AND CONQUERORS, BY LIZZIE COLLINGHAM
Collingham follows the journey of ‘curry’ as the title suggests. The book focuses on conquests, the impact of trade, and colonization on the subcontinent; how new ingredients that were introduced soon assimilated into the repertoire of Indian food along with techniques; the social fabric of the region; the very British interpretation and adaptation of curry; dispersion and immigration during British rule; and the existing aftermath around the world thereafter. This book is not just about curry, but rather a look at the multicultural changes that have taken place in India, and also provides some historical recipes. Reading each chapter is a delectable wellresearched discourse on history, culture and adaptation.
