I love the aromas and flavors of Indian cuisine! Always on the hunt for new books that offer insight and recipes for the tantalizing world of flavors that Indian food offers.
My guest this week is Rinku Bhattacharya with her new book The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles – Exploring the Cuisine of eastern India.
Bengalis have been compared to the French in terms of food-obsessed peoples, as dining and entertaining are such an integral part of the culture. The book begins with a thorough introduction to Bengali culture and cooking, including sections on spices, ingredients, and equipment. Following are recipe chapters (incorporating a balance of traditional and contemporary recipes) on Rice & Breads, Lentils, Fried Vegetables and Fritters, Vegetarian First Courses, Vegetarian Entrees, Eggs, Fish, Chicken & Poultry, Meat Dishes, Chutneys & Relishes, Drinks & Snacks, and Desserts. Includes 180 easy-to-follow recipes, plus sections on spice pastes, spice blends, and essential tools, and sidebars with family anecdotes and historical and cultural information.
Rinku Bhattacharya is a daytime financial professional, who spends the rest of her time immersed in food. Rinku is the author of the blog, Cooking in Westchester, where she shares her life experiences, original recipes that combine Indian flavors with produce from her backyard and local farmers markets. Rinku is blessed with a gardener husband, who always surprises her with a prolific and fresh supply of produce to keep her creative instincts flowing. Rinku has been teaching recreational cooking classes for the past six years, and has found her classes a great way to teach and learn. Her cookbook the Bengali Five Spice Chronicles, shares over 180 recipes made simple. Rinku can be found on facebook, twitter and pinterest.
Check out Rinku’s Blog Get a copy of the book today!
Then Allen Schoup one of the founding fathers of the Washington wine business and the founder of Long Shadows Vintners joins us in the second half. Long Shadows brings World Renowned winemakers to the Columbia Valley to make distinctive wine using the best of Washington grapes. This week’s featured wine is one of those distinctive wines. Inspired by the great wines of Germany and crafted by Armin Diel, proprietor of the renowned Schlossgut Diel.
Long Shadows is a collection of ultra-premium wines created by internationally acclaimed winemakers from the major wine regions of the world. Each winemaker is a part owner in this unique winery dedicated to producing individual wines that showcase the viticultural excellence of Washington State’s Columbia Valley.
Good Life Guy’s Wine of the Week:
2011 Poet’s Leap Columbia Valley Riesling
Expressive aromatics of white peach, sweet jasmine flowers and a hint of flint introduce this vibrant, fresh wine. With its bright acidity, the 2011 Poet’s Leap Riesling dances on the palate and continues across a long, lively finish, enhanced by a persistent undercurrent of minerality.
Wine & Spirits 93 – Wine Enthusiast – 92
Something FUN and a perfect match for the aromatic flavors of Bengali Cooking!