How Zuleikha Mayat's Indian Delights Became a Classic and Cultural Treasure
Indian Delights Recipe Book by Zuleikha Mayatl: A Review
If you are looking for a comprehensive and authentic guide to Indian cuisine, you might want to check out Indian Delights, a book of recipes on Indian cookery by Zuleikha Mayatl. This book is not only a collection of delicious and diverse recipes, but also a cultural and historical document that reflects the rich heritage and traditions of the Indian community in South Africa.
Indian Delights Recipe Book Zuleikha Mayatl
The history and background of the book
Indian Delights was first published in 1961 by the Women's Cultural Group, a non-profit organization founded by Zuleikha Mayat and other women in Durban, South Africa. The group was formed to promote social welfare, education, and cultural activities among the Indian women in South Africa, who faced discrimination and oppression under the apartheid regime. The book was initially a fundraising project to support the group's charitable causes, but it soon became a bestseller and a household name in South Africa and beyond.
Zuleikha Mayat, the editor of the book, was born in India in 1929 and moved to South Africa with her family when she was eight years old. She studied journalism and became a prominent writer, activist, and community leader. She was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga, one of the highest honors in South Africa, for her contributions to literature, culture, and human rights. She is still alive today and continues to inspire generations of women.
The main features and sections of the book
Indian Delights contains over 700 recipes that cover a wide range of dishes from different regions and communities of India. The recipes are organized into several sections, each with an introduction that provides some background information, tips, and variations. Here are some of the main sections of the book:
Rice dishes and curries
This section includes recipes for various types of rice dishes, such as biryanis, pilafs, khichris, and pulaos, as well as curries made with meat, chicken, lamb, mutton, or seafood. Some of the popular recipes in this section are:
Chicken Biryani: A festive dish of rice layered with spiced chicken pieces and garnished with fried onions, nuts, raisins, and herbs.
Lamb Korma: A mild and creamy curry of lamb cooked with yogurt, almonds, and spices.
Fish Curry: A tangy and spicy curry of fish cooked with tomatoes, tamarind, coconut milk, and curry leaves.
Vegetable dishes
This section features recipes for various vegetable dishes that can be served as side dishes or main courses. Some of the vegetables used are potatoes, cauliflower, eggplant, okra, spinach, cabbage, peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Some of the popular recipes in this section are:
Aloo Gobi: A simple and flavorful dish of potatoes and cauliflower cooked with turmeric, cumin, and coriander.
Baingan Bharta: A smoky and savory dish of roasted eggplant mashed with onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and spices.
Dal Makhani: A rich and creamy dish of black lentils and kidney beans cooked with butter, cream, and spices.
Fish dishes
This section contains recipes for various fish dishes that are suitable for different occasions and seasons. Some of the fish used are hake, kingklip, snoek, salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, and prawns. Some of the popular recipes in this section are:
Fish Kebabs: A tasty and easy dish of fish marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, and spices and grilled on skewers.
Kingklip Curry: A delicate and aromatic curry of kingklip fish cooked with coconut milk, curry leaves, and mustard seeds.
Prawn Biryani: A fragrant and colorful dish of rice cooked with prawns, saffron, mint, and spices.
Roti, naan and breads
This section includes recipes for various types of breads that are essential accompaniments to Indian meals. Some of the breads are unleavened, such as roti, chapati, paratha, and puri, while others are leavened, such as naan, kulcha, and bhatura. Some of the popular recipes in this section are:
Roti: A thin and soft flatbread made with whole wheat flour and cooked on a griddle.
Naan: A thick and fluffy flatbread made with all-purpose flour and yeast and baked in a tandoor oven.
Bhatura: A deep-fried and puffy bread made with all-purpose flour, yogurt, and baking soda.
Convalescent and remedial foods
This section provides recipes for various foods that are beneficial for health and wellness. These foods are especially suitable for people who are recovering from illness or injury, or who need some extra nourishment. Some of the foods in this section are:
Haleem: A wholesome and hearty dish of wheat, barley, lentils, meat, and spices cooked for hours until tender and smooth.
Khichri: A comforting and nutritious dish of rice and lentils cooked with ghee, turmeric, and salt.
Yakhni: A soothing and aromatic broth of meat or chicken cooked with spices and herbs.
Desserts and sweets
This section offers recipes for various desserts and sweets that are perfect for celebrating festivals, occasions, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth. Some of the desserts are milk-based, such as kheer, halwa, burfi, and kulfi, while others are flour-based, such as laddu, jalebi, gulab jamun, and rasgulla. Some of the popular recipes in this section are:
Kheer: A creamy and delicious pudding of rice cooked with milk, sugar, cardamom, nuts, and raisins.
Halwa: A rich and decadent dessert of semolina or carrot cooked with ghee, sugar, milk, nuts, and dried fruits.
Gulab Jamun: A soft and spongy dessert of deep-fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup flavored with rose water and cardamom.
The benefits and advantages of the book
Indian Delights is more than just a cookbook. It is also a valuable resource that offers many benefits and advantages to its readers. Some of them are:
It provides authentic and reliable recipes that have been tested and perfected by generations of Indian cooks in South Africa.
It covers a wide range of dishes from different regions and communities of India that reflect the diversity and richness of Indian cuisine.
It includes helpful introductions that give some background information on the dishes as well as tips on how to prepare them.
It features clear instructions that are easy to follow even for beginners.
It uses ingredients that are readily available in most supermarkets or specialty stores.
It offers variations that cater to different tastes or dietary preferences.
It showcases the culture and history of the Indian community in South Africa through anecdotes, stories,
The drawbacks and limitations of the book
While Indian Delights is a remarkable and valuable book, it is not without its drawbacks and limitations. Some of them are:
It does not have many photos or illustrations of the dishes, which might make it difficult for some readers to visualize or follow the recipes.
It does not provide nutritional information or calorie counts for the dishes, which might be important for some readers who have dietary restrictions or health concerns.
It does not include many modern or fusion dishes that incorporate ingredients or techniques from other cuisines, which might appeal to some readers who are looking for more variety or innovation.
It does not have an online version or a mobile app, which might make it inconvenient for some readers who prefer digital formats or devices.
How to use the book effectively
To get the most out of Indian Delights, here are some tips on how to use the book effectively:
Read the introductions and background information carefully, as they provide useful insights and context for the dishes.
Follow the instructions and measurements precisely, as they have been tested and refined by experienced cooks.
Use fresh and high-quality ingredients, as they make a big difference in the taste and texture of the dishes.
Experiment with different spices and herbs, as they add flavor and aroma to the dishes. You can also adjust the amount of spice according to your preference.
Try different combinations and variations of dishes, as they create diversity and balance in your meals. You can also mix and match dishes from different sections of the book.
Where to buy the book and how much does it cost?
If you are interested in buying Indian Delights, you can find it in various online and offline stores. Some of them are:
StorePrice
Amazon.co.uk46.19 (pre-owned)
AbeBooks.com$55.00 - $70.00 (used)
BidOrBuy.co.zaR450.00 - R650.00 (new)
Loot.co.zaR599.00 (new)
Takealot.comR699.00 (new)
The prices may vary depending on the availability, condition, and shipping costs of the book. You can also check your local bookstores or libraries for copies of the book.
Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a recommendation
In conclusion, Indian Delights is a classic and comprehensive book of recipes on Indian cookery by Zuleikha Mayat. It is a product of the Women's Cultural Group, a non-profit organization that promotes social welfare, education, and culture among the Indian women in South Africa. The book contains over 700 recipes that cover a wide range of dishes from different regions and communities of India. The book also provides helpful introductions, tips, and variations for each section. The book has many benefits and advantages, such as its authenticity, reliability, diversity, clarity, and accessibility. However, it also has some drawbacks and limitations, such as its lack of photos, nutritional information, modern dishes, and digital formats. To use the book effectively, you should read the introductions carefully, follow the instructions precisely, use fresh and high-quality ingredients, experiment with different spices and herbs, and try different combinations and variations of dishes. You can buy the book from various online and offline stores at different prices depending on the availability, condition, and shipping costs of the book.
If you are looking for a comprehensive and authentic guide to Indian cuisine that reflects the culture and history of the Indian community in South Africa, I highly recommend Indian Delights. It is a book that will delight your senses and enrich your knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Indian Delights:
Who is Zuleikha Mayat?
Zuleikha Mayat is the editor of Indian Delights and the founder of the Women's Cultural Group. She is a prominent writer, activist, and community leader in South Africa. She was born in India in 1929 and moved to South Africa with her family when she was eight years old. She studied journalism and became a voice for the Indian women in South Africa who faced discrimination and oppression under the apartheid regime. She was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga, one of the highest honors in South Africa, for her contributions to literature, culture, and human rights.
What is the Women's Cultural Group?
The Women's Cultural Group is a non-profit organization that was founded by Zuleikha Mayat and other women in Durban, South Africa in 1954. The group was formed to promote social welfare, education, and cultural activities among the Indian women in South Africa. The group also published Indian Delights as a fundraising project to support their charitable causes. The group is still active today and continues to serve the community.
What are some of the dishes in Indian Delights?
Some of the dishes in Indian Delights are chicken biryani, lamb korma, fish curry, aloo gobi, baingan bharta, dal makhani, fish kebabs, kingklip curry, prawn biryani, roti, naan, bhatura, haleem, khichri, yakhni, kheer, halwa, and gulab jamun. These are just some examples of the over 700 recipes that cover a wide range of dishes from different regions and communities of India.
What are some of the benefits and advantages of Indian Delights?
Some of the benefits and advantages of Indian Delights are its authenticity, reliability, diversity, clarity, and accessibility. The book provides authentic and reliable recipes that have been tested and perfected by generations of Indian cooks in South Africa. The book covers a wide range of dishes from different regions and communities of India that reflect the diversity and richness of Indian cuisine. The book includes helpful introductions that give some background information on the dishes as well as tips on how to prepare them. The book features clear instructions that are easy to follow even for beginners. The book uses ingredients that are readily available in most supermarkets or specialty stores.
What are some of the drawbacks and limitations of Indian Delights?
Some of the drawbacks and limitations of Indian Delights are its lack of photos, nutritional information, modern dishes, and digital formats. The book does not have many photos or illustrations of the dishes, which might make it difficult for some readers to visualize or follow the recipes. The book does not provide nutritional information or calorie counts for the dishes, which might be important for some readers who have dietary restrictions or health concerns. The book does not include many modern or fusion dishes that incorporate ingredients or techniques from other cuisines, which might appeal to some readers who are looking for more variety or innovation. The book does not have an online version or a mobile app, which might make it inconvenient for some readers who prefer digital formats or devices.
71b2f0854b