Photo: Neville Sukhia; Image courtesy: The Indecisive Chicken.
My friend Marc shared this NPR piece on a new book that shares the stories and recipes of eight Dharavi cooks. I love a book that shares home recipes from other countries and also as a bonus delivers a wonderful story. The book is titled The Indecisive Chicken as one of the contributors did not cook chicken because her husband thought it was a “silly bird” and eating it would make one stupid. I knew I had to find out more and I did. The title grabbed my attention, the story grabbed my heart and opened my eyes.
Dharavi, once Mumbai’s largest slum, was brought to the center of the world’s stage by the release of the 2008 movie, Slumdog Millionaire. Dharavi is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, diverse settlement with a population estimated to be one million.
This book was brought to life as a result of a culinary seminar offered by Prajna Desai, who is by trade an art historian. Desai did not want to impart her knowledge in this seminar, she wanted her attendees to be the teachers. Eight Dharavi women who attended each session are featured in this book. The Indecisive Chicken delivers a look into the everyday world of Indian working class families – what they cook and what they eat.
This bi-lingual book which is written both in English and Hindi is packed with photos of both the beautiful women behind the stories as well as photos of the dishes and preparation photos. These are recipes not found in Indian restaurants – these are recipes shared from the heart of Dharavi – the home kitchen.
Recipes for Phara (channa, urad, and rice flour dumplings – a photo of these delectable bites is shared in the NPR story above), Bakheer (sugarcane rice), Besan Bhauri (stuffed puri) and Dhapate (healthy parathas) are examples of what you will find in this one-of-a-kind book.
The Indecisive Chicken is not only a wealth of information about Indian home cooking – it is much more. India does not seem so far away now and we are all more alike than different. Home cooks strive to bring delicious food to their families – a force to bring families together at the table. Oceans and miles do not separate us – we all share the love of food, family and have the need to share our stories.
This book is a must have – you will fall in love with the women in this book and their recipes as I have. The most important lesson I gleaned is to embrace the world’s differences and to learn as much as we can about each other – and food is the perfect conduit.
Buy The Indecisive Chicken – you will be happy you did. I was. Thank you to Prajna Desai for providing me with a small discount to review this book and share it with our readers.
The author, Prajna Desai, provided me the book at a discount to review it and share it with you.
I have been wanting this book since I saw Marc’s post about it. I want it even more now. I am so fascinated by the food and culture of India.
This is a brilliant review Jenny!!! It certainly will entice all of us to want a copy of this in our collection!!!
I love chicken and Indian food. Sounds like a winner
I love this book. Great content and photos. Great write up!
Wow..my feelings exactly. Most good food memories come with a good story…I am going to look for this.
What a wonderful review!
I love a cookbook that gives you something more than just recipes. I look forward to the stories and the beautiful photos in this one. It’s a type of cooking I have never attempted but I would now. Very intrigued!!
Great review of a terrific book!
Intriguing. I’d love to have this book.
Great review, Jenny! This sounds like so much more than just a cookbook, with stories and recipes straight from the home cooks. I will definitely be ordering!
Jenny, what a lovely, flowing review. Love your integrity coming through. Shulie