Indian Cooking by Lalita Ahmed
Indian Cooking (Collectible 1980s First Edition)
Authentic and Traditional Regional Dishes for the Home Cook
Authentic and Traditional Regional Dishes for the Home Cook
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Indian Cooking
- Author: Lalita Ahmed
- Publisher: Octopus Books, London
- Publication Date: 1981
- ISBN-13: 9780906320655
- Edition Details: First Edition, Standard Softcover Release. Highly sought-after early 1980s printing.
- Binding: Publisher's original premium high-gloss pictorial laminated card wrappers.
- Physical Format: Octavo (8vo). Beautifully illustrated with authentic full-page vintage colour plates and clear regional preparation steps.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
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The Book: Very Good (VG)
- Exterior / Wraps: The original pictorial laminated wrappers are bright and structurally sound, exhibiting only very slight, superficial shelf wear along the edges, entirely typical of careful handling over the decades. The spine is completely unbroken, crisp, uncreased, and undamaged.
- Interior: Superbly preserved. The interior text block and photograph plates are clean, clear, crisp, and fully intact. Free from the standard kitchen grease splatters, thumb soils, previous owner gift inscriptions, or dealer pencil marks commonly found in books of this vintage.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1981 by Octopus Books, Lalita Ahmed’s Indian Cooking is a beautifully accessible masterclass that demystified the subcontinental culinary arts for a generation of home cooks. Curated at a time when traditional ingredients were first becoming widely available globally, this book offers a pristine survey of authentic and traditional Indian dishes reflecting the diverse, contrasting micro-regions of the country. Unlike over-complicated academic guides, Ahmed focuses on practical execution using easily obtainable ingredients. This book holds an immense sentimental and nostalgic value for culinary historians, fondly remembered by many as the definitive "leaving-home" university guide that inspired their lifelong passion for Indian gastronomy.
Published in 1981 by Octopus Books, Lalita Ahmed’s Indian Cooking is a beautifully accessible masterclass that demystified the subcontinental culinary arts for a generation of home cooks. Curated at a time when traditional ingredients were first becoming widely available globally, this book offers a pristine survey of authentic and traditional Indian dishes reflecting the diverse, contrasting micro-regions of the country. Unlike over-complicated academic guides, Ahmed focuses on practical execution using easily obtainable ingredients. This book holds an immense sentimental and nostalgic value for culinary historians, fondly remembered by many as the definitive "leaving-home" university guide that inspired their lifelong passion for Indian gastronomy.
Author Profile: Lalita Ahmed
Lalita Ahmed is an acclaimed author, culinary expert, and actress who became one of the pioneering faces of Indian cuisine on British television and media during the 1970s and 1980s. Known for her warm, encouraging presentation style, she worked tirelessly to introduce Western audiences to true regional Indian flavours beyond basic high-street commercial curries. Her books remain highly beloved collectibles, praised for their reliable, foolproof formulas and enduring nostalgic charm.
Lalita Ahmed is an acclaimed author, culinary expert, and actress who became one of the pioneering faces of Indian cuisine on British television and media during the 1970s and 1980s. Known for her warm, encouraging presentation style, she worked tirelessly to introduce Western audiences to true regional Indian flavours beyond basic high-street commercial curries. Her books remain highly beloved collectibles, praised for their reliable, foolproof formulas and enduring nostalgic charm.
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