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Dakshin: Vegetarian Cuisine from South India
"Dakshin" in an ancient Sanskrit word meaning "south." It symbolizes what this Indian cookbook is all about — the best and most delicious of South Indian vegetarian cuisine.
Filled with tempting recipes and beautiful photographs, Dakshin: Vegetarian Cooking from South India presents the finest cooking from the region. Drawn from the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, and the union territory of Pondicherry, the recipes in this vegetarian cookbook bring traditional South Indian cooking within reach of any cook in any kitchen.
From sambars and rasams, to cooling desserts and sweet treats, Dakshin takes you through the elements of South Indian meals, including chutneys and pickles, rice dishes, pakoras, payasams, poriyals, kootus, bondas, and vadais. With its use of fresh produce and a healthy and balanced approach to eating, Dakshin is an ideal Indian cookbook for today's lifestyle — for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike — and the perfect introduction to South Indian Cuisine.
Filled with tempting recipes and beautiful photographs, Dakshin: Vegetarian Cooking from South India presents the finest cooking from the region. Drawn from the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, and the union territory of Pondicherry, the recipes in this vegetarian cookbook bring traditional South Indian cooking within reach of any cook in any kitchen.
From sambars and rasams, to cooling desserts and sweet treats, Dakshin takes you through the elements of South Indian meals, including chutneys and pickles, rice dishes, pakoras, payasams, poriyals, kootus, bondas, and vadais. With its use of fresh produce and a healthy and balanced approach to eating, Dakshin is an ideal Indian cookbook for today's lifestyle — for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike — and the perfect introduction to South Indian Cuisine.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
About the author
Chandra Padmanabhan
5 books11 followersChandra Padmanabhan, a graduate from Calcutta University, did her post-graduation education at Delhi University. She has long been associated with the publishing industry. But it is cooking that has been the author's forte for nearly four decades. She is the author of the three bestselling titles, Dakshin (Harper Collins), Southern Spice (Penguin) and Simply South (Westland). She last won the international GOURMAND award for the second best vegetarian cookbook in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 31, 2020
I am a Tamilian and I approve of this book! Authentic recipes and beautiful photos.
March 20, 2013
This book is one of those cookbooks worth owning simply for reading, because reading it makes one so hungry and so inspired. -- If one is a fan of South Indian food. And, how can one not be? I have never seen so many different variations of sambhar or rasam.
If you have made often enough the one type of sambhar and rasam your mom taught you, reading about all these fancy variations will whet the appetite. -- Both for cooking and for eating. You will have been already familiar with your mom's particular masala and those of your aunties, but in this book ... a whole new world! At the end of the day, one finds, the one your mother taught you is really quite satisfying enough, though.
As for its practicality ... I found this book really daunting, even more daunting than other Indian cookbooks. About equally as daunting as "Cook and See". The ingredients lists are so long. And the methods seem very involved ... lengthy .... Somehow, when one is taught these methods in a kitchen while helping, they don't seem quite as complex. When they are written down ... whew! But, so many many beautiful recipes. A lovely book to own. To think about one day actually using and following ... someday.
For today, however, an easier thing to do would be to buy a shiny brand new copy of this book, then call a darling Auntie and tell her that you are just really craving some of her sambhar and lemon rice. Of course, she will invite you to her house. Then you take the book ... and you can show it to her while you are enjoying your tamarind rice. She will page through and then, of course, scoff at it. You will eat delicious food. When she gives you coffee, she will tell you how really to make all these recipes. All done.
If you have made often enough the one type of sambhar and rasam your mom taught you, reading about all these fancy variations will whet the appetite. -- Both for cooking and for eating. You will have been already familiar with your mom's particular masala and those of your aunties, but in this book ... a whole new world! At the end of the day, one finds, the one your mother taught you is really quite satisfying enough, though.
As for its practicality ... I found this book really daunting, even more daunting than other Indian cookbooks. About equally as daunting as "Cook and See". The ingredients lists are so long. And the methods seem very involved ... lengthy .... Somehow, when one is taught these methods in a kitchen while helping, they don't seem quite as complex. When they are written down ... whew! But, so many many beautiful recipes. A lovely book to own. To think about one day actually using and following ... someday.
For today, however, an easier thing to do would be to buy a shiny brand new copy of this book, then call a darling Auntie and tell her that you are just really craving some of her sambhar and lemon rice. Of course, she will invite you to her house. Then you take the book ... and you can show it to her while you are enjoying your tamarind rice. She will page through and then, of course, scoff at it. You will eat delicious food. When she gives you coffee, she will tell you how really to make all these recipes. All done.
February 13, 2013
The book explains in details the nuances of south indian cooking which even a novice should be able to follow. Other that the readily known Idli, Dosa and Vada the books also covers step by step cooking techniques of several other delicacies.
A must have book for all lovers of South Indian Food.
A must have book for all lovers of South Indian Food.
May 4, 2015
thought this was a great book with a good spread of many south indian favorites, and variations on commonly found dishes-- can't wait to try some of these out! this is one i would consider buying as it would be good to have on the shelf as i get more comfortable making indian food.
September 26, 2013
I have several Indian cookbooks but this one is my favorite. The pictures are scrumptious and so far every recipe Ive tried (and Ive made quite a number)has met with success. 5 stars EASY!
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February 1, 201521.95
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews