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Summary: Fabulous Indian food in my own kitchen!
Review: "Classic Indian Cooking" is by far the best of the various Indian cookbooks I've owned. Julie Sahni ranks with Julia Child in her ability to teach, inspire and help you understand techniques and ingredients. The recipes are meticulous and so convincingly put forth that the reader wouldn't even think about taking a short-cut or substituting an ingredient -- you know that Julie knows best. The results, in every recipe I've tried, are spectacular. (Particularly the splendid recipes for chicken braised with spices.) The complex flavors and heady aromas delight the senses long after the guests have left and the dishes are washed.
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Summary: Excellent Indian Cookbook............
Review: ..........that has truly brought my family hours upon hours of joyous cooking. I've had "Classic Indian Cooking" for more than a year now and I cannot count how many times we've enjoyed the treasures within. My husband and I were great fans of going out for Indian food. We enjoyed cooking, but always thought Indian cooking would be so very difficult. We were wrong! With this cookbook, Julie Sahni presents a thorough introduction to Indian cooking that is sufficient to get any amateur chef started making wonderful, genuine Indian dishes. Sahni begins by introducing readers to the cultures of North India from where her recipes are derived and then teaches us how to prepare this marvelous Moghul cooking by thoroughly explaining Indian herbs and spices and the special ingredients and equipment traditionally used. There is a handy section on techniques used when preparing spices from frying them to roasting, crushing and grinding them. This cookbook contains recipes that we've come to view as family traditions that we'll make for a lifetime. The Rogan Josh (Lamb in Fragrant Garlic Cream Sauce) and Shahi Korma (Royal Braised Lamb with Fragrant Spices) are absolute favorites! Also excellent are the Meat-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Ginger Lemon Sauce, Ground Meat in Cashew Nut Sauce with Chick-peas, Whole Potatoes in Spicy Yogurt Gravy, Chick-peas in Tangy Tamarind Sauce and the Almond and Rice Dessert. In a sense, we are still discovering this cookbook, having made about a quarter of its many recipes. The are chapters presenting dals, yogurt salads, rice, breads, relishes, pickles and beverages that we are just starting to introduce ourselves to. I know that this cookbook will give us many, many more years of cooking and eating enjoyment!
Rating:
Summary: Must-have for those interested in Indian cooking
Review: Although the sheer volume of the book is daunting at first, don't panic. My husband and I found Sahni's cookbook to be very well-written, and the recipes are delicious! I will agree with one other reviewer though, and say that Madhur Jaffrey's _Indian Cooking_ might also be a worthwhile buy since her recipes are a little less complicated. But definitely try Sahni's once you get some experience! Her book on vegetarian and grain cooking is also excellent, even if you are not vegetarian.
Rating:
Summary: Among the Classics
Review: Classic Indian Cooking has been a staple reference in my kitchen for years. I rate it among my top 5, along with the classic Julia Childs and out-of-print Gourmet set. It is informative, concise, and clearly written. All of the recipes are successful if they are followed exactly, and the flavors are a delight to the most demanding eater. This is one of the few cookbooks that can be used successfully even if you haven't tasted Indian food before. I strongly recommend purchasing it.
Rating: 
Summary: A good cookbook, but....
Review: clearly overrated. It's a good book for someone learning the subject, but offers little beyond that. To that purpose, the recipes are clear and produce the intended results, something more ambitious cookbooks often fail to achieve. However, other books such as "Lord Krishna's Cuisine" and Madhur Jaffrey's books give a far deeper view of Indian cooking. This book is very basic and does not adequately cover the complexities and variations of the use of spices which form much of the foundation of the cuisine.
Rating:
Summary: THE essential Indian cookbook for your kitchen!
Review: Each cuisine has its essential cookbook author: Julia Child for French cuisine, Marcella Hazan for Italian cuisine, Paula Wolfert for Mediterranean cuisine, Diana Kennedy for Mexican cuisine. Their cookbooks are the ones that you would be a fool not to have in your collection, if you are remotely interested in these cuisines. They are essential building blocks for your kitchen. Such is definitely the case for "Classic Indian Cooking" by Julie Sahni. If I could own only one Indian cookbook, then this would have to be it. All regions are well-represented. Techniques and ingredients are well-explained and presented. Vegetarian recipes are reasonably well-represented (although Sahni has covered vegetarian cooking more thoroughly in other cookbooks). The recipes range from simple fare to elaborate banquet show-stoppers. What is not to like about this book?
Rating:
Summary: THE essential Indian cookbook for your kitchen!
Review: Each cuisine has its essential cookbook author: Julia Child for French cuisine, Marcella Hazan for Italian cuisine, Paula Wolfert for Mediterranean cuisine, Diana Kennedy for Mexican cuisine. Their cookbooks are the ones that you would be a fool not to have in your collection, if you are remotely interested in these cuisines. They are essential building blocks for your kitchen. Such is definitely the case for "Classic Indian Cooking" by Julie Sahni. If I could own only one Indian cookbook, then this would have to be it. All regions are well-represented. Techniques and ingredients are well-explained and presented. Vegetarian recipes are reasonably well-represented (although Sahni has covered vegetarian cooking more thoroughly in other cookbooks). The recipes range from simple fare to elaborate banquet show-stoppers. What is not to like about this book?
Rating:
Summary: Every cookbook should be this good.
Review: Even though this book does not contain beautiful color photos, it is nonetheless a perfect example of what a cookbook should be: the author's explanations are crystal clear, she tells you *everything* you need to know from ground zero, and her recipes are 100% reliable. I'm not an especially accomplished cook, but every recipe I have tried from this book has been delicious. After I had worked with this book for a while, I added some other Indian cookbooks to my collection, but none measured up to this one. If you want to learn authentic Indian cooking, this is the book to buy. It will not lead you astray.
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Summary: A "real" classic
Review: For months I've been cooking my way through Julie Sahni's Classic Indian Cooking. I started with simple things like the Cumin and Turmeric rice and worked my up to the complex flavors and techniques used in the delicious Royal Braised Vegetables in Cardamom Nut Sauce. This is a no-fault cookbook. No matter what recipe I tried it came out perfect. It belongs on the shelf right next to Julia Child and Marcella Hazan. Julie Sahni makes Indian cooking accessible, fun and totally irresistable. This cookbook is a true classic.
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Summary: If you want THE Indian cookbook, this is it!
Review: Have been cooking from this book since 1980 and it has really stood the test of time. I have several other Indian cookbooks but this is the only one I use. Every dish I have ever made has been a winner. The Velvet Butter Chicken is out of this world, it does take some effort (make Tandoori chicken first) but is really worth it. Mulligatawny Soup another winner as is the Cauliflower, Green peas, and Potatoes in Spicy Herb Sauce. Have never been disappointed with any recipe from this book. Ms. Sahni writes clearly and gives practical advice. I learned how to cook Indian food from this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great teacher and guide to the world of Indian cooking.
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