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Book Review – Spice By Dhruv Baker

November 27, 2014 by GG 24 Comments

Discover how to use Spices With Spice by Dhruv Baker

Discover how to use Spices With Spice by Dhruv Baker

Masterchef fans may well remember Dhruv Baker, the winner of the 2010 series.  His deft use of spice and astounding palate were often commented on by judges John Torode and Greg Wallace.  Baker has now put that experience and his love of flavour between the covers of his first cook book, Spice.

Split into practical sections, based around ingredients, Baker  demystifies spices, saying that spice is about flavour, not heat.  This book shows you how to get the best flavour from ingredients that are easily available from the supermarket and many of which may already be in your kitchen cupboard.

Chicken Lollipops in Spice By Dhruv Baker

Chicken Lollipops in Spice By Dhruv Baker

It would be a mistake to think of this as just another Asian cook book.  Influenced by his multicultural background with an English father, Indian mother and having lived in Mexico, India, Tanzania as well as Great Britain, the dishes span as many continents.  Slow Roast Pork Belly With Fennel And Coriander, Aubergine Crisps With Truffle Honey, Braised Duck With Star Anise And Galangal and my favourite, partly because it  is fairly simple, but mainly because it packs a punch of flavour – Mushroom Pilau.  A side dish or a main, full of fragrance from the cardamom, cinnamon and cloves, rich in texture from the earthy flavoured mushrooms and a sweet crisp crunch from the fried onions.  This has quickly become a Glam favourite.  With over a hundred recipes, there’s still many more to explore.

Masterchef Champion Dhruv Baker's Mushroom Pilau From His Cook Book Spice

Masterchef Champion Dhruv Baker’s Mushroom Pilau From His Cook Book Spice

Unlocking The Spice Cupboard at the back of the book is an alphabetical list of spices with clever descriptions of flavour and uses, from Ajwain Seeds to Vanilla Pods.  It includes the different ways that spices can be used beyond the obvious: making flavoured oils, dry roasting, marinades, rubs and flavoured butters.

Chocolate And Cinnamon Torte From Dhruv Baker's New Cook Book Spice

Chocolate And Cinnamon Torte From Dhruv Baker’s New Cook Book Spice

The section on Drinks is a innovative addition and again steers away from the mundane, with recipes for a Cardamom Martini and Pear And Prosecco Spritz.

This book is an all rounder with great dishes, it instills a confidence with spices in the cook and has some new and out of the ordinary dishes to experiment with and Baker wants his readers to do just that.  “Once you have tasted some of the recipes…you might want to add more or less spice, or add or take away ingredients…..however you use them, I hope that you will make them your own.”

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Filed Under: Books, Review, Spices Tagged With: cook book, Dhruv Baker, Masterchef, Masterchef Champion, Orian, recipe, recipe book, review, Spice

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Comments

  1. Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says

    November 27, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Seriously love the sound of the mushroom pilaf esp as it is full of my three orgasmic c’s cinnamon, cardamom and clove. A great sounding xmas gift.

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 27, 2014 at 5:12 pm

      it would make a great Christmas gift. I love the fact that it covers so many different cuisines. GG

      Reply
  2. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    November 27, 2014 at 7:36 pm

    Definitely a great holiday gift. It looks like a great cookbook and I love its photography too.

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 27, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      The photography is really lovely. GG

      Reply
  3. David Crichton says

    November 27, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    How does this compare to Tom Kerridges’ new book. I really liked Dhruv on Masterchef, him and Tim being the best I think.

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 27, 2014 at 8:47 pm

      This is very different from Tom Kerridge’s book. It’s based around subtlety of flavour whilst Tom’s book is big flavours and more of a meat eaters cook book. Dhruv and Tim were my favourites too. GG

      Reply
  4. Lizzy (Good Things) says

    November 27, 2014 at 10:50 pm

    Amanda, this looks like a beautiful book!

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      It is a really good book. It makes for a much more confident cook with spices. GG

      Reply
  5. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    November 28, 2014 at 12:12 am

    Oh how nice! I got Herbie’s spice bible last week and can’t wait to get stuck in to some new things to try. I’d like a peek at this book too. 🙂

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      I love cooking with spices, anything that helps with combinations is good. GG

      Reply
  6. Rachel (Rachel's Kitchen NZ) says

    November 28, 2014 at 1:40 am

    I do love books on herbs and spices GG and have quite a collection but there is always room for another one!

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      Me too. I really like the fact that this one covers so many different cuisines. GG

      Reply
  7. Anna @ shenANNAgans says

    November 28, 2014 at 4:50 am

    Looks like a beauty. Thinking Ill get this for Cheffie (my food & beverage manager) for Chrissy. Cool, almost done with the gift sourcing.

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:43 pm

      You must be very organised!! It would make a great Christmas pressie. GG

      Reply
  8. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    November 28, 2014 at 6:41 am

    It’s very impressive when someone has a good palate. I once dined with a food critic that had none at all. He couldn’t tell what a lot of items were. It was extraordinary!

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:44 pm

      How bizarre!! It must have been quite funny once you got over the shock. GG

      Reply
  9. Hotly Spiced says

    November 28, 2014 at 10:16 am

    I do love the sound of the duck and the pork belly. It looks like a gorgeous book xx

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      I was surprised how very achievable the recipes are, this one is on my kitchen shelves rather than in the cookbook library. GG xx

      Reply
  10. Karen says

    November 28, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    A wonderful review GG and I remember Dhruv winning Masterchef, he was such an innovative chef and cook, with some amazing spice and herb combinations, which, he seems to have woven into this book. The sample recipes that you have picked out as examples sound divine too! Karen

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 29, 2014 at 4:46 pm

      Thank you Karen. He was one of the outstanding ones along with Tim Anderson. GG xx

      Reply
  11. Choclette says

    November 29, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Love spices and don’t know where I’d be without them. The mushroom pilaf sounds excellent. I make mushroom risotto quite regularly and this would make a most delicious change. The chocolate torte looks rather good too of course!

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 30, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Nor me, the Pilau is fab and well worth making. I haven’t made the chocolate torte yet but it does look fab. GG

      Reply
  12. cheri says

    November 30, 2014 at 3:03 am

    I really like this cookbook GG, will have to add this to the list.

    Reply
    • GG says

      November 30, 2014 at 1:07 pm

      Do. The recipes are really varied and totally delicious. GG

      Reply

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Glamorous Glutton

Hi! I’m GG and I write a Food and Travel Blog based in the UK. I began my blog in 2011 after years spent in the fashion industry, travelling the world. Finally I had time to think and indulge in my passions for writing, travel, food, and photography, in my own time.♥
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