A James Beard Awardee plus executive chef and judge on Food Network’s Chopped Maneet Chauhan’s new Cookbook, Chaat is a must-have for anyone who loves Indian street food. Chauhan takes readers on an adventure through the streets of India, with recipes for everything from dosa to lamb samosa to kebabs and more.
The book is organized by region, with each chapter offering a glimpse into what life is like in that area. It also features recipes for staples like chai and lassi alongside more adventurous fare like Lucknowi Seekh Kebabs and Pineapple Chaat.
Chauhan’s approachable writing style makes this cookbook an accessible read for both amateur cooks looking to get their feet wet with Indian cuisine as well as seasoned cooks looking for inspiration.
Each recipe comes with a short introduction and step-by-step instructions. The book is filled with beautiful photos of the food and colorful shots of India, giving readers a glimpse into the culture and country.
I made several recipes from the book and enjoyed how they turned out. I especially liked the recipes for Bombay Sandwich, Mumbai’s most legendary street food offering, and Bread Pakoras, fried bread, and mashed potato-stuffed sandwiches.
The book includes helpful tips on how to use spices and ingredients like garam masala and tamarind paste. I also liked how the book includes information on how to make your own Indian-style chutneys. I made Tomato chutney from the book and found it very easy to prepare and something I make frequently now. I usually serve it as a side dish or eat it with plain Uttapams.
I recommend this cookbook to anyone looking to expand their Indian cooking skills.
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