Parsi

October 1, 2022
The adventurous will love meandering through this first cookbook by London-based chef Talati, smelling the imagined aromas of masala, jaggery (boiled sugarcane juice), ghee, drumstick vegetables, and the like. Finding ingredients stateside and deciphering Talati's how-to's, instructions, and metric measures may prove another matter. (A plentitude of glorious color photographs sweetens the deal, though.) Capturing his unique blend of Indian and Persian cuisines, Talati's 100-plus recipes and introductory notes cover everything from the Zoroastrian initiation ceremony (called navjote) to what it means to be a Parsi. Many recipes will be accessible to U.S. readers: quince and rose paste, eggs baked on spicy tomatoes, minced lamb and potato cutlets, fried chicken, and orange and lime curd. While this ambitious undertaking might have benefited from greater consideration of what U.S. cooks can find in stores, it's a very illuminating record of a cuisine that favors offal and meat over vegetables, and dotes on sweet things.

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December 1, 2022

In his first cookbook, Talati, a London chef and supper club creator, provides home cooks with all the tools and steps necessary to create delicious Parsi dishes. He also explains the culture, food, history, and religious background of the Parsi people in a book that is as much focused on this foodway and its importance as the detailed and helpful instructions for the dishes themselves. The book presents the cuisine with the stark elegance of art photography, to stunning and appetizing effect. That rigor is reflected in the traditional nature of the dishes, and while this may cause some home cooks to fuss over the metric measurements and head online to order some ingredients, Talati shares how to choose and make spice blends and includes other tips for success. Balancing these details, readers will love the charming stories and quotes included with each recipe. VERDICT Recommended as an essential introduction to a distinctive foodway. The stunning visuals and delicious food, combined with rich history and stories, create a unique glimpse into Parsi culture.--Sarah Tansley

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