Curry: A Global History (repost)

‘Curry’ is one of the most widely used – and misused – terms in the culinary lexicon. Outside of India, the word ‘curry’ is often used as a catch-all to describe any Indian dish or Indian food in general, yet Indians rarely use it to describe their own cuisine. Curry answers the question ‘What is curry?’ by giving a lively historical and descriptive account of a dish that has had many incarnations.

In this global history, food writer Colleen Taylor Sen describes in detail the Anglo-Indian origins of curry and how it has been adapted throughout the world. Exploring the curry universe beyond India and Great Britain, her chronicles include the elegant, complex curries of Thailand; the exuberant curries of the Caribbean; kari raisu, Japan’s favourite comfort food; Indonesian gulais and rendang; Malaysia’s delicious nonya cuisine; and exotic Western hybrids such as American curried chicken salad, German currywurst and Punjabi-Mexican-Hindu pizza. Along the way, Sen unravels common myths about curry and Indian food and illuminates the world of curry with excerpts from popular songs, literary works and historical and modern recipes.

A vibrant, flavourful book about an increasingly popular food, Curry will find a wide audience of cooking enthusiasts and hungry fans of Indian food.

Edible is a revolutionary new series of books on food and drink which explores the rich history of man’s consumption. Each book provides an outline for one type of food or drink, revealing its history and culture on a global scale. 50 striking illustrations, with approximately 25 in colour, accompany these engaging and accessible texts, and offer intriguing new insights into their subject. Key recipes as well as reference material will also accompany each title.