The Culinary Canvas: Cookbooks by Laxmi

Laxmi's journey began with the written word. These two highly acclaimed cookbooks are the foundation of the culinary magic you taste in every product, offering accessible wisdom for mastering authentic, healthful Indian cuisine.

If you love Indian food, you may wonder whether recreating the complex textures and delicate interplay of spices found in your favorite dishes is truly within your reach. Have no fear. In The Dance of Spices, seasoned chef and acclaimed food writer Laxmi Hiremath guides you every step of the way to bring the subtle, richly layered flavors of India’s extraordinary culinary tapestry to your own kitchen.

1. The Dance of Spices
Classic Indian Cooking for Today’s Home Kitchen 

Published by John Wiley & Sons. A compilation of Laxmi's most favorite recipes and personal tales.

The Dance of Spices is a comprehensive guide to conquering one of the world’s most intricate and flavorful cuisines. It goes beyond simple recipes, offering Laxmi's personal stories and insights on the history and proper use of spices. This book documents the spicy experimentation Laxmi witnessed in her mother’s kitchen, ensuring that home cooks can expertly use the plethora of spices to achieve authentic, harmonious flavors.

Laxmi shares valuable guidance on how to cook classic Indian specialties at home. She explains not only what to do but also why, combining clear, detailed explanations of specific techniques with important background knowledge that you can apply to every dish you prepare.

More than 250 recipes feature signature classics as well as eye-opening originals created by the author. Choices range from the irresistible opulence of Moghul Lamb Biryani and the elegant, soothing sweetness of Warm Mango Soup to the sweet-spicy surprise of Tandoori Turkey with Pomegranate Juice and the delectable crispiness of Quick Semolina Crepes and other South Indian dosa pancakes.

Peppered throughout the book are intriguing historical details and memories from Laxmi’s own childhood: Tales of the Moghul elite’s imperial kitchens mingle with enchanting stories of the mouthwatering street snacks (chaat) the author eagerly anticipated during childhood vacations in Mumbai.

The Dance of Spices: Available at Barnes & Noble, other book stores, and Amazon.com

Praise for The Dance of Spices

“The most comprehensive and ambitious book of its kind in years.”— Boston Globe December 14, 2005

“Our favorite book brings us new flavors from new places.”— Chicago Tribune, November 20, 2005

“Those who’ve already tried cooking Indian or have an adventurous streak, this engaging, meticulously researched cookbook deserves to be spattered with hot oil and cumin and land a spot on the kitchen shelf. Like any good teacher, Hiremath spices up her work with entertaining tangents and anecdotes. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case the gulab jamun, for a cookbook, and Hiremath’s recipes are as reliable as her charm. Of course you’ve eaten chicken tikka masala before, but you’ve probably never tried tandoori turkey or mango soup or boatman’s crab curry. Now you can.”—San Francisco Magazine, Spice It Up, June, 2005

“The Dance of Spices is filled with excellent, authentic curries, as well as dishes rarely explored in American home kitchens such as street-fare chaats. With this book, Laxmi proves herself a skilled, intuitive teacher of real Indian cooking.”—Paula Wolfert, author of the award-winning The Slow Mediterranean Kitchen

“Laxmi’s book is a clearly explained, friendly invitation to cook Indian food with confidence and pleasure.” —Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid, authors of Mangoes & Curry Leaves

“The Dance of Spices is a hands-on cooking class. It provides one with the information to truly understand and prepare a delicious Indian curry. I love that Laxmi includes information on history and social customs, as well as personal anecdotes to supplement the recipes.”—Roxanne Klein, chef and coauthor of Raw


5.0 out of 5 stars Easy, good tasting food

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019

This was a gift for a friend. I bought one for me, and a second for another friend, and this was the third. I find this easy to follow the instructions and food tastes good.


lixe_et

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful recipe book for collectors

Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2011

Definitely a book for collectors. Recipes in the book are one of the most authentic Indian recipes that I have come across. However, the book being without any pictorials would prove to be a bit more difficult for beginners in cooking. The more experienced in cooking you are, the better you are in relating to the recipes. Superb read.


Amy Fisher

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2005

All the recipes that I have tried from this book have turned out to be excellent. The book is very fun to read, with some interesting childhood stories from the author. The dishes are very easy to make and all of them are extremely delicious. This book is meant for anyone who enjoys cooking a wonderful meal for their family.

2. Laxmi's Vegetarian Kitchen
Simple, Healthful Recipes from India's Great Vegetarian Tradition

Published by Harlow & Ratner.

A beloved collection that focuses on providing accessible, nutritious, and authentic Indian vegetarian meals. This book is a must-have for anyone seeking to incorporate more plant-based, flavorful cooking into their diet.

Features recipes that are easy to replicate using readily available ingredients, reflecting Laxmi’s early experiments in her American kitchen while staying true to traditional Indian vegetarian heritage.

Recognition Selected by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the ten best cookbooks of the year (1995).

In this book, India’s great vegetarian cooking, refined over thousands of years, offers cooks a rich variety of delicious, healthful meatless fare. In this, her first book, Hiremath offers the fruits of her labor of love – more than 200 delectable, easy-to-prepare Indian vegetarian recipes, some traditional, some original. She ventures well beyond the familiar curries, rice pilafs, and legume dishes to include breads, salads, relishes, cheese dishes, beverages, desserts and even breakfast foods. Anyone looking for flavorful, healthful meatless fare for everyday or special occasions is welcome in Laxmi’s Vegetarian Kitchen.

Praise for ‘Laxmi’s Vegetarian Kitchen’

“Laxmi’s Vegetarian Kitchen,” can tempt even confirmed carnivores. Laxmi shares recipes with such warmth and enthusiasm, she might very well convert her readers to vegetarianism. Building on dishes she loved in her native India, the author has streamlined that labor-intensive cuisine, making full use of the modern American kitchen. And she limits ingredients to what you’ll find in well-stocked mainstream markets, making Indian cooking even more accessible.

—San Francisco Chronicle, December 20, 1995

Trimmed of fat and funkiness, vegetarian food emerges as light, beautiful, ethnic and even American.

—Eating Well Magazine, January, 1996

From a tomato pilaf with yellow split peas to Basil-Coconut Vegetable Casserole, this packs in plenty of Indian-based main course dishes to satisfy the avid vegetarian looking for spicy and different fare. No color photos; but plenty of intriguing suggestions which will especially appeal to seasoned vegetarians looking for something different.

—Midwest Book Review, March 1996

Ann Logue

5.0 out of 5 stars A basic favorite in our kitchen.

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2015

I bought this book many years ago, and I still use it all the time. The recipes work well in an American kitchen - they aren't as rich as what you'd get at an Indian restaurant, but they don't assume you have a servant who can spend the day grinding spices, either.


Carolyn Conner

5.0 out of 5 stars best indian cookbook ever!

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2012

I took a cooking class at our local humane society from Laxmi like 10 years ago so my book is signed by her! Ever since then it is the most used book in my house!! I'm known for my great Indian dinners and my family begs me to 'cook Indian' at all our get togethers... especially the holidays. Couldn't live without this book!

BI

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious Indian Food!!!

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2007

My newly vegetarian daughter found this book at the library! We have made numerous recipes out of this book. Excellent, spicy, delicious food...even the Naan bread is wonderful! There is an excellent introduction on Indian culture and how food is prepared and served... All around a great cookbook for those interested in authentic Indian cooking! I have since purchased this fantastic book!!!

Kindle Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding intro to Indian cooking!

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2005

I had always been intimidated by the ingredients lists in many Indian cookbooks then I took a class with the author. WOW! This book is incredible. Instruction is easy and clear with wonderful serving suggestions. The ingredients are easy to find in my grocery store. My favorite recipe is homemade paneer cheese (p. 165). It is super easy to prepare and always looks elegant in any dish. The paratha (Calcutta Plain Flakybread - p.82) is also very easy and tastes wonderful! This is an outstanding book for vegetarian and non-vegetarian alike.