Jasmine and Jinns: Memories and Recipes of My Delhi

I am glad I have added Jasmine and Jinns to my cookbook collection as it is such interesting reading in addition to the delicious recipes. I feel I have made a trip to Delhi after reading each chapter and it is definitely not your usual curry cookbook. Lovely book and looking forward to trying each recipe.Jeanne

A wonderful book which takes you on a culinary journey of the purani dilli through various stories of past. Its one amazing book for all the culinary enthusiasts with the authentic recipes from delhi covering all the courses from breakfast to dinner and from appetizers to desserts!!! 4 stars because the book was used so it was a little torn.

'Jasmine and Jinns' is a wonderful book. What I like a lot about the book is that Sadia Dehlvi starts with a section on Delhi and her family. It is enjoyable reading this and understanding some of her traditions.It's good to know that she is the founder of Al Kauser. I will try it.The only reason I gave it a 4-star is because of the photographs.I will start experimenting with her recipes.

Written with lots of love it makes an otherwise mundane cookbook highly readable through it's innovative format. Sprinkled with innumerable old Delhi anecdotes and rare pictures the book starts with the ancestral journey of Dehlvis since the reign of Shah Jahan. Why Ballimaran was called so and what is the bada in Bada Hindu Rao are some of the things makes interesting reading. Also the supposedly bad influence of Punjabi on spoken languages of Delhiwallahs make for good humour. Every short chapter is written directly and from the heart, with interesting history of the changing food culture of the city, woven around the personal memories of the author. Particularly touching are the story of her palatial home Shama Kothi and Apa Saeeda....the author's mother like care taker. The stories of jinns peacefully co existing with families make it a page turner. Old tradition of looking down on nihari as a poor man's food has made a turn around in perceptions....and so has alu salan, lamb meat and few others. On the other hand interest in some old preparations has been only increasing.... The book is more than a cook book and that is it's beauty. Photograph s and cover collage with inside jacket image of silky Jasmines are tastefully done.

Rating: 3.5/5.The book needs serious revision - most recipes have missing/wrong instructions. Nevertheless a warm, loving tribute to one's culinary roots - and one book I shall be returning to, time and again, for its delicious contents. (Some of the recipes were a hit among my friends and family.)

Good recipes and I would buy it for the recipes. The book is fine, but not organized as expected. The table of contents seems to be organized by season and then randomly changes to Ingredient (meat, etc.) Stories of Delhi and family are interesting and are contained in half of the book, followed by recipes. Good effort and thank you for sharing your family recipes.