Curry: A Global History

 '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.

Review: 'a fascinating look into the origins of curry and its ubiquity around the globe today ...Sen's introduction to the culture and history of curry is a tantalizing reminder that the roots of globalization lie deeper than we likely realize.' - Southeast Review of Asian Studies 'The Edible series contains some of the most delicious nuggets of food and drink history ever. Every volume is such a fascinating and succinct read that I had to devour each in just a single sitting ... food writing at its best!' - Ken Hom, chef and author