Indian mother-in-law inspires cookbook in UK

LONDON: Impressed with the cooking of his Indian mother-in-law, a Briton has published a cookery book which includes wide range of traditional Gujarati dishes.
 
A self-taught home cook, Simon Daley has used several of his Indian mother-in-laws recipes in his book 'Cooking With My Indian Mother-In-Law'.
 
The book includes traditional dishes inspired by his in-laws' Gujarati roots, influences from Islam and Africa and modern adaptations so the dishes are suitable for today's British cooks.
 
Daley is lyrical about his first meeting with Roshan Hirani, 63, when he was taken to her house by her daughter, Salima, 38, who is now Daleys wife.
 
"I'll never forget my first visit. She welcomed me into her home in the way she knew best - by offering good food. The moment I tasted her divine chicken curry I was in awe," said Daley.
 
"Like any Brit, I knew and loved Indian food, but the food I tasted on that day was something beyond what I had come to expect.
 
"The flavours were cleaner, brighter, and yet despite its depth and savour, the food was somehow lighter than I had experienced before."
 
Over the years he and Hirani, 63, spent long hours in the kitchen as Daley faithfully recorded the exact ingredients and methods.
 
The book features more than 100 recipes from classic dishes such as tandoori chicken, chicken biriani, and samosas to unusual regional specialities such as stuffed chillies and savoury vegetable cake.