The Next Food Network Star winner Aarti Sequeira's first cookbook, Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul, is every bit as effervescent as her charismatic onscreen personality. Sequeira peppers her collection of more than 100 Indian-American fusion recipes with gentle humor and intimately personal anecdotes to take the intimidation factor away from the preparation of such classic Indian staples as paneer (homemade curd cheese), tandoori chicken and chicken tikka masala, while having fun with cross-cultural hits like her pomegranate Sriracha wings and Bombay Sloppy Joes.
Recipes are divided topically (breakfast, appetizers, vegetables, meat, starches and seafood), and photographs bring each vibrant dish to life. Sequeira offers time-saving "Smaarti Tips" and "whippersnapper" shortcuts that substitute key ingredients or traditional cooking methods with more accessible alternatives. Finally, there are primers for creating chutneys and an overview on the seven essential spices to stock for Indian cookery. Some dishes may be complicated for beginners but Sequeira's patient hand-holding and enthusiastic attitude make the intimidating seem entirely achievable. --Nancy Powell, freelance writer and technical consultant