2.5/3 stars
I really was looking forward to the cookbook and feel kinda let down in a way. Will I still make some recipes? Yes, but not as many probably as if there were more photos. The recipes will probably mainly make are the masala sauces.
Likes:
-Glossary for some of the terms (which is needed)
- separated in vegetarian then meats&seafood , sides, breads, sauces
-Variety of different Indian recipes to try
Dislike:
-not all recipes have a photo showing what it is. For this, I feel like it is needed since some of the recipes I have no idea what it's making.
-some direction are hard to follow just because there is so many steps but bullets or something might help next to the steps (for example the hyderabadi dum recipe)
-at the beginning I honestly skipped to page 40 to skip the intro and stories
-some ingredients I know we have a hard time finding where we are located

What a wonderful cook book, which actually feels so much more than that.
With a wonderful introduction and colourful photos, this is a definite must have.
There’s a great section on spices, techniques and tools which is very helpful, then the recipes are divided into easy to navigate chapters.
With so many delicious looking photos you will hungry before you even start! They certainly draw you in and inspire you to make the recipes.
I look forward to trying some of these and see if I can conjure up some of my take away favourites at home!

The Soul of Spice introduced me to the flavorful and fragrant world of traditional Indian cooking. I enjoy both cooking and learning about different cultures, and this cookbook felt like more than just recipes—it was a meaningful experience.

Whether you’re just starting to cook or have been doing it for a while, this book is helpful for everyone. The recipes are simple to follow, the pictures are beautiful, and the stories behind each dish helped me understand the culture better. I enjoyed learning not only how to make the food but also why these dishes are important.

The book feels warm and genuine on every page. It inspired me to cook and also to appreciate Indian cuisine on a deeper level. If you want to try new flavors and learn about Indian food traditions, I highly recommend The Soul of Spice. It’s a wonderful book from beginning to end.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy; it was a treat!!!!

Gorgeous pictures. Great intro that personally connects you to the author. Recipes look delicious. Once you’re through the intro this book is focused on the recipes - I was expecting a bit more of Indian culture or tour of the country, but those looking for an incredible cookbook will not be disappointed.

India, a land of vibrant cities and coveted cuisine, is celebrated within this book. A love of the food and the people is evident here. Even if you’re not an expert chef, the recipes will be quite easy to follow once you have the ingredients, It’s a perfect cookbook, in my estimation. The author explains the regions and backgrounds of Indian spices and helps the reader understand how to prepare each dish with emotional connection. The photos and text are well planned making this book esthetically appealing to the reader as well.

I do like spice, spicy foods, Indian foods and I do love cooking and recipe books. This had some wonderful information, recipes, ideas and so much more. It is a cookbook I would have on my shelf and would be used regularly. The first portion of this book has plenty of information on spices, cooking and some stories from the author of this book.

It all flowed well into the recipe portion of this book which had old favourites and now new favourites. I can see myself trying many of the recipes in this book and have so much fun doing it (as well my partner will have so much fun eating it all!). A great spicy and fun book.

Thank you NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

One little-known fact about me is I love to read cookbooks. Yes, I said read. I love exploring new cultures through the foods they eat. I am a picky eater, so I don’t often experiment with new cuisines, however, I did bookmark many recipes in this book. The pictures are gorgeous and the recipes are written in an easy to follow way. The E-Book layout was a bit confusing to follow but, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this cookbook. Thank you to @netgalley @cidermillpress and Keith Sarasin for this advanced copy.

The Soul of Spice offers a cookbook that is approachable with easy-to-follow recipes, inspiring pictures, and additional information, making this perfect for novice to experienced cooks.

The first 57 pages of this 401-page book are full of introductory information (most of which I skip, if I am honest). However, those pages did include a fantastic glossary and list of common spices. If you are new to cooking this type of cuisine, this is so helpful and appreciated!

Recipes in this book are written in a simple-to-follow manner with a list of ingredients that is not overwhelming. Most, if not all, ingredients will be easy for most people to find in hometown grocery stores or online. The photography is beautifully done, though I am disappointed there is not a photo to accompany every recipe.

So much variety included in this cookbook, many recognisable classics but also some recipes some may be unfamiliar with which is great. Lots of different meat and veggie options and takes you through the whole meal, including accompaniments

When I picked this up I initially wondered what a white dude from the US could really offer the world regarding Indian food and if it was even a good idea for him to publish a cookbook about it. I was even more put off when I found out he studied under a woman who is barely featured in the book! There’s an ok introduction that tackles these thoughts, and while I’m not sure I’m 100% in agreement, he has put in lots of time studying the food, and has a real passion for his subject.

Ignoring today’s twitchy culture norms, the book is amazing. I’m an avid cookbook reader/collector, but a below average cook, and nearly every recipe here looked like something I could tackle and actually come out of with a decent meal.

Lots of great photos too, which I especially love for recipes I’m not familiar with, although the styling could have been better, lots of dishes photographed in the same bowl, greasy, oily dishes that could have been cleaned up a little, especially at this hefty $35 price point.


Even with all my whining, this is easily a must own for me. I’ve had other Indian cookbooks before that were overly fussy and a lot more complicated that I never cooked from and eventually gave away, I’ll actually use this book.

Indian food is so absolutely delicious, so I was pleased to receive a copy of this book from Cider Mill Press in exchange for an honest review. To be honest, when reading a cookbook, I am unlikely to read the introduction from the author, or stories related to the recipes. However, the stories the author told were such a delight to read, I really enjoyed that aspect of it. On top of that, the recipes sound absolutely amazing, and to have recipes so that I can try them myself is so exciting!

Thank you to Cider Mill Press and Keith Sarasin for an advanced copy of this incredible cookbook!

I went into this cookbook knowing nothing about how indian food is made. I very much enjoyed reaing about some of the background of it. I found the book to give so much information about everything you need to make it and what goes into it. I also enjoyed the personal story and touches of the cook and author. I loved how it was not just recipes but included great pics to know what the dish looked like. I maybe would have liked a few pics on some recipes of someone doing the steps but its still a gorgeous and informative book. I feel I would recomend it to those who already cook and want to try their hand at some of the indian recipes or even just to learn a little about it.

Our author begins with their own story of how they came to love Indian food before diving into the spices and recipes. The layout is clear, the images are beautiful and the flow of the essential things such as glossary, required tools and the spices (and their different names) was clear before moving into the different types of curries. The breakdown is thorough, right down to the contributors recipes at the end. There are many flavours and cultures to explore here and the recipes are clear and concise.

I did find the introduction a tad long winded, as there were four different chapters in the run-up to the actual cooking, but overall, a book that will be handy in any kitchen.

Thank you to Cider Mill Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

These recipes look so good, cant wait to try them!! I love the cover and the overall design of this book.

This book made me hungry!

I love the photography sprinkled throughout the book. Some of the pictures look like your usual staged cookbook shots, but so many of them are more like candids of someone in a kitchen - the kind of thing that ends up in family albums and treasured at home.

I have not made any of the recipes in the book yet, but I’m excited to. Some of the ingredients I’m not sure how to source, but seems like an interesting project.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC!

This was a great cookbook. It has easy-to-follow recipes. I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for the ARC.

I always love expending my cooking skills, and this book was stunning to read through. Full of mouth-watering recipes, I cannot wait to try them ALL. Beautiful pictures and great explainations for those who didn't grow up cooking Indian food.

Keith Sarasin has an interesting take on spices and Indian cuisine, and his journey into cooking is inspirational.
The recipes are wholesome, and the pictures are great representations of them.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!

This cookbook is absolutely gorgeous. From the stunning photography to the thoughtful format and beautifully written recipe descriptions, it’s clear how much heart went into this. Keith Sarasin weaves history, culture, and personal stories throughout, making this feel like more than just a cookbook. It feels like a love letter to spices and the traditions they carry.

The recipes are approachable and well explained, and the pictures alone will make you want to dive right in. I already know this is one I’ll be purchasing as a physical copy, not just for myself but also as a gift.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves cooking, food history, or just a cookbook you’ll actually sit down and read.

This cookbook is absolutely lovely, from the format to the pictures to the descriptions to the recipes themselves. I cannot wait to purchase it and give it as a gift.