spices on spoons and canisters

Development: the indian cookbook

Developing Traditional and anglo-Indian recipes from the British time in India

This is our family Indian cookbook. These are the carefully curated recipes from my grandmother’s cookbooks and notebooks, some of which she inherited from her own grandmother. The product of my family’s time in India, this collection features traditional and Anglo-Indian recipes.

Most of these recipes pre-date Indian Independence and some are well over one hundred years old.

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three barbecued lamb cutlets on a bed of kachumber

the recipes

There is something here for everyone, even if you think you do not like Indian food. The recipes come from the home-cooked tradition of Indian cuisine and many have likely never been seen in a restaurant.

a simple vegetarian thali - bowls of rice, dal, vegetable curry and accompaniments on a serving platter

the menus

Putting together a meal requires balance, and consideration of the palates of your guests or family. These menus are typical of what we serve at home.

a spice tin filled with ground and whole spices

the ingredients

There are few truly exotic ingredients used in this book. You should be able to get everything you need from a good supermarket or specialist Indian grocer.

closeup of carrom game

the articles

Short articles on matters related to this cookbook. We discuss each recipe and describe something of its heritage. Includes some information about stockists and cooking tips.

indian railway dining car - ca 1930

the essays

Longer articles on regional cuisine, the history of invaders and traders and their effects, and a look at some of the cultural and religious heritage and their influence upon the cuisines of India.

keith standing behind serving dishes

the editor

I am the grandson of Edith Pfeiffer, from whom I inherited these recipes. She herself inherited many of these from her mother and grandmother whilst they lived in India, during colonial times.