Indian Nigella's cook book beats Harry Potter

LONDON: Her cut-glass accent and flirtatious on-camera manner have led to her being dubbed the 'Nigella' of Indian cuisine in Britain.

Yes, television cook Anjum Anand has become a huge success in her own right after last week's sales of her book on Indian food beat even the latest Harry Potter to soar to the top of the bestsellers' list, according to 'Daily Mail'.

The 35-year-old culinary expert's book, titled 'Indian Food Made Easy', aims to convince that Indian food can be simple, delicious and healthy. The release of her book has coincided with her recent TV show series.

Her cook book contains more than 70 new recipes of traditional Indian dishes that reduced fat rather than flavour. The book has chapters on light snacks, seafood, vegetables, lentils, beans, rice and chutneys.

In fact, throughout the book, there are tips and techniques as well as expert secrets from some of the top Indian chefs in the country.

Anand says that she first took interest in cookery when she was in her early 20s.

"I am passionate about Indian food and showing people how quick and easy authentic, home-style Indian food can be," she asserts.

"I use fresh, local and seasonal produce to create delicious simple recipes with great flavours that fit into our hectic lives and our ideals of being healthy," says Anand, who has encouraged comparisons with Domestic Goddess 'Nigella'.

Anand was born in the United Kingdom to parents who emigrated from Punjab nearly 45 years ago. She has family homes in Delhi and Kolkata and has worked across the world in innovative restaurants, including Caf Spice in New York.