I have to admit to bouncing up and down quite a few times when Google alerted me to the news that AOL had picked Modern Spice as one of the Best Cookbooks of 2009. What an honor.. I am so thrilled!
So here is a Modern Spice recap from 2009 -
In June, Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi picked Modern Spice as one of her - BEST.BOOKS.EVER for Newsweek and recently Health magazine included it in their top 100 best list.
"Monica Bhide...invites you along for a tasty ride in her forthcoming
book, Modern Spice....Bhide offers a modern interpretation of Indian
flavors and cooking techniques. The result is something cooks need-- new ways
of thinking about common ingredients.-- J.M. Hirsch, Associated Press
The author
offers a refreshing look at the diverse and changing cuisine of India, with a
new perspective that will be embraced by Indian food lovers everywhere. From Publishers Weekly
“This warm
and inviting book combines the author's personal experiences with streamlined
recipes for Indian cooking… The range of recipes in this book is great. In
fact, it's hard to choose what to make… The recipes are easy to follow and do
not disappoint. I'm looking forward to trying out many more of her recipes.”—Oregonian
“Monica Bhide
deserves every hectare of the acres of copy she will undoubtedly amass for her
out-today cookbook, ‘Modern Spice,’ which really does make Indian flavors
accessible enough for everyday cooking.”—Regina
Schrambling, Epicurious.com
Remarkably
thoughtful. Fine Cooking magazine
"… is a
must-have for spice lovers everywhere” Chile Pepper magazine
Modern Spice
is one of my favorite cookbooks of 2009…. Food & Wine blog, Emily Kaiser
A
revolutionary approach to Indian cooking. Mark Knoblauch From Booklist
I just finished a review of
Monica Bhide's "Modern Spice." 2 words: Buy it. Smart recipes,
eloquent writing, clear directions. Chicago
Tribune – Bill Daley
“True, this is a cookbook, and a very fine
one, but if you just read the recipes you will miss so much. Monica’s life has
taken her from India to Bahrain and then to America. Modern Spice is a book
made richer by family anecdotes, stories of laughter and tears. It’s a
warm-hearted page-turner with lovely recipes. Modern Spice should become a
classic of contemporary Indian cuisine. It’s not a compromise, it’s fresh and
inviting." – The Mostly Food Journal.
“I’m now addicted
to chickpea crepes, and it’s all Monica
Bhide’s fault. What began as an innocent, unassuming kitchen
adventure seems to have morphed into a gastronomic disorder -- a full-on
addiction that may require an intervention” Meatless Monday’s Kim O’Donnel
“What I like so much
about Modern
Spice is the way Monica has turned a contemporary eye toward the
Indian pantry and developed a collection of recipes that are mindful of
tradition, but not afraid to build on it or break with it. What I'm saying is,
if you're looking for a book full of traditional Indian standards, there are
other books to buy - great ones. If you're looking for ways to integrate many
of the alluring flavors and ingredients of India into your daily cooking, this
book is packed with ideas for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.” Heidi
Swanson, 101 cookbooks.
"This is not
brown food to lift the roof of your mouth. It's colorful, light, multi-facetted
in flavor and extremely easy to execute." eatWashington, Julia Watson
"....Yet it’s so much more than
a cookbook—it’s more of a journey through author Monica Bhide’s heart and
soul—one that leaves the mouth watering and heart aching for a taste of what
she has so eloquently detailed. With the rich essays tucked in-between the recipes,
this book is so much more than page-after-page of delectable food (although it
is that also, for sure). It is a heart-felt excursion through Monica’s family
food memories that have taken her from growing up and living in the Middle East
(after being born in New Delhi) to being an adult book author and food writer
residing in Washington, D.C. " Christine
Gable, CDkitchen
"For food writer , the quickest
route to Delhi is through your belly. Her new cookbook, Modern Spice,
reconciles the zesty essence of Indian cuisine with the DC challenge we all
have: no time to cook." DC Modern Luxury
.. And don’t look for another take on tandoori chicken and mango lassi;
Bhide’s recipes also represent a new style of Indian food. Houston Chronicle
"Last night I dreamt of
Chaat Masala. Really. And yet, its not quite as odd as it seems. You see, I've
spent the better part of this weekend devouring Monica Bhide's wonderful new cookbook - Modern Spice. I'm reading it cover to
cover and enjoying every blessed word. Modern Spice has been making its
way around more than a few blogs this past week and the attention is
well-deserved. Its charming, informative and altogether delicious."
Beacheats Blog
A Spicy read
– Arrive magazine
On the Ginger
honey marinade - "Yesterday I made the
simplest, most miraculous marinade, one that fits perfectly into my Parents Need to Eat, Too cooking. It came together
in under five minutes—the only step that took any time at all was grating the
ginger (I made a double batch, which meant two full tablespoons; I used my Microplane grater
). Sweet, spicy, piquant, and absolutely
irresistible, I could see using this on any number of things" Wordstoeatby Blog
"The next time you crave the flavors that only can be satisfied
with Indian cuisine, instead of heading to a restaurant, head to your own
kitchen and take Monica with you. There is no reason to think any cuisine is
outside of your reach or beyond the capacity of your city kitchen." The City Cook
"Bhide is pioneering a new kind of
Indian cuisine, taking traditional ingredients and techniques and translating
them into the modern kitchen" SeriousEats
"....…and just published is her
third cookbook, Modern Spice which is fun, innovative and imbued with her
unique voice. In it she shares not only her creative recipes but also her very
personal food essays. For those of us who have little time and still crave
delicious, spicy food, her off-the-beaten-track recipes will come as a real
time saver. The prep time is short and the instructions are user-friendly but
the dishes pack a powerful punch by way of spices and herbs.” Indian Express
"Throughout the pages, Monica also
includes touching personal essays. An editor recently told me, "Food
stories aren't just about food; at heart, they're about people." So true.
In Modern Spice,
Monica nails that concept. My favorite
essay of hers was a story
she wrote about shelling peas with her son, Jai. " Lime.com
Posted by: Kristin Ohlson | December 28, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Posted by: Eddie | December 28, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Posted by: Stephanie - Wasabimon | December 29, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Posted by: Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home | December 29, 2009 at 09:23 PM