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
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
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
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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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.
it would make a great Christmas gift. I love the fact that it covers so many different cuisines. GG
Definitely a great holiday gift. It looks like a great cookbook and I love its photography too.
The photography is really lovely. GG
How does this compare to Tom Kerridges’ new book. I really liked Dhruv on Masterchef, him and Tim being the best I think.
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
Amanda, this looks like a beautiful book!
It is a really good book. It makes for a much more confident cook with spices. GG
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. 🙂
I love cooking with spices, anything that helps with combinations is good. GG
I do love books on herbs and spices GG and have quite a collection but there is always room for another one!
Me too. I really like the fact that this one covers so many different cuisines. GG
Looks like a beauty. Thinking Ill get this for Cheffie (my food & beverage manager) for Chrissy. Cool, almost done with the gift sourcing.
You must be very organised!! It would make a great Christmas pressie. GG
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!
How bizarre!! It must have been quite funny once you got over the shock. GG
I do love the sound of the duck and the pork belly. It looks like a gorgeous book xx
I was surprised how very achievable the recipes are, this one is on my kitchen shelves rather than in the cookbook library. GG xx
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
Thank you Karen. He was one of the outstanding ones along with Tim Anderson. GG xx
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!
Nor me, the Pilau is fab and well worth making. I haven’t made the chocolate torte yet but it does look fab. GG
I really like this cookbook GG, will have to add this to the list.
Do. The recipes are really varied and totally delicious. GG