Mahanandi

Living in Consciousness ~ Indi(r)a’s Food and Garden Weblog

Cooking at home with Pedatha ~ Cookbook Review, Interview and Recipe

Recently I have received a cookbook to review. The title of the book is “Cooking at home with Pedatha”.

Atha (or attha) means father’s sister in Telugu. Pedatha means eldest Atha. After grandparents, Pedatha, an authority motherly figure is the most important person and pedatha’s advice and asheerwad (blessings), are always sought in our homes during difficult times and for celebrations. We respect pedatha. After reading and trying a couple of recipes from Pedatha’s cookbook, I felt like I’ve found an emerald gem that would bring good health and good luck to my cooking.

Here in this cookbook, the authors Jigyasa Giri and Pratibha Jain captured their Pedatha’s 85-years kitchen experience and wisdom. A blend of hot, sweet, sour and aromatic flavors, often all in one dish – the genius and simplicity of Andhra cooking, are laid out in endearing detail. Rice preparations, simple stir-fry curries, spicy powders, savory rasams and traditional sweets are all explained in Pedatha’s words. The result is like a marriage of perfect flavorings with natural goodness of fresh ingredients.

What I particularly liked about this cookbook is how it speaks to us, the Indians. It has an authentic voice which is compelling. I am from Nandyala, Andhra Pradesh and almost all of the recipes are just the way my mother would prepare. There are no shortcuts and there is no compromise in authenticity to please the western audience taste. Accompanied by breathtaking images, the recipes are easy to follow and most of them can be cooked in a short 30-minute time.

The only drawback I can think of is, when compared to ‘Hummer’ size cookbooks in vogue now, this book with 61 recipes in 87 pages may look like ‘Toyota Prius’. On the other hand, this may not be a drawback at all. I think even a newbie will easily get an idea and can cook a decent full fledged Andhra feast called “vindu bhojanam”, following the recipes, images and the menu ideas.

If you are like me, uninspired by cookbooks that devoid of originality and authenticity, often poor victims of meddling editing and mega publishers pressuring tactics, and hungry for a true Indian cookbook, then this book is for you. You may be a novice or an experienced cook, “Cooking at home with Pedatha” with its clutterfree instructions and clean, pleasant images will definitely assist and delight you just like Pedatha in our lives. Check it out!


Pratibha Jain and Jigyasa Giri with Pedatha (Sreemati Subhadra Krishna Rau Parigi)

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Interview with Jigyasa Giri and Pratibha Jain

Cookbooks are dime a dozen here in USA, but they are rare in India. There is no cottage cookbook industry and publishing a cookbook particularly one that focuses on regional cooking is still a big deal. Most of the times it’s truly a labor of love.

I wanted to know who inspired and what motivated the authors, and how they survived the brutal publishing phase to bring the book into market. Pratibha and Jigyasa responded immediately to my questions and were kind to this newbie. Thanks Pratibha and Jigyasa!

Here is my interview with the authors.


Pratibha and Jigyasa ~ Authors of the Cookbook

You have made an excellent book with uncompromising authentic recipes. What motivated you to write and publish this book? Who is your intended audience?

Thank you for the compliments. Frankly, the main motivating factor was pure love. When you meet Pedatha, you will realize how true this answer is. You know Indira, most of the things we have done in life have always been planned. Strangely, this book was never an agenda. Both of us like interacting with elders very much and we just used to visit Pedatha and chat – invariably about food, for such is her passion for cooking. When that personal collection became a book…. it was destiny’s hand and we just went along with the force of it.

Regarding the audience, we thought it was a niche product. Therefore, the only way to appeal to a wider audience was the idea of a coffee table book. Honestly, we never ever expected to go into second print, and so soon.

Our elders, who are greatly experienced in our cooking styles are exceptional assets for us. “Peddatha” is one such great asset. What did she think about publishing her recipes in the form of a book?

She would be very excited about teaching us whenever we visited her. But later, when the idea of a book emerged (initially from Jigyasa’s husband who said this is not a personal collection, this is a book in the making), she was very apologetic and shy. She kept saying it was home food and that there was nothing to it. In fact, she also once said that she feared people would say that she had misled us ‘little girls’ into thinking that her food was exceptional.

We remember one day when she said the same thing again. And we told her, “Pedatha, does a pearl know its worth? Only a jeweler knows that. So you Pedatha, are our precious pearl and we are your jewelers. Oh how she laughed and said – Now I understand. Ok ok.”

After all the fame and interviews, she is still as simple as always. We can’t stop marveling at that. But she thanks us a hundred times and laughs – “Without walking the ramp, you naughty girls have made me a model”. She calls us – The three Musketeers. She calls our laptop a lapdog because she says it has been so faithful to her. She thinks the recipes are just as she cooks them.

The beauty of the book you made truly portrays the essence of the recipes you put in the book. Cooking is intensively skilled process. Recording and reproducing these processes in the form of a book requires another level of skills too. What was your approach and method to create such wonderful design, photographs and narration? Who was your inspiration?

The first step of inspiration was Pedatha’s photographs – we were

stunned when we saw the results of the camera. I guess from there, we just had to make a book that blended with her pictures.

Regarding the layout and graphics, all credits to our team – Prabodh Jain (every adjective mentioned in the thanks note in the book is just apt – creativity and sustained vision) – he nudged us along every step of the way, challenging us not to compromise; Kavitha Shivan, our young layout designer, is a dream to work with (if u put aside her moods:) and spells of inactivity), guess that’s what creativity is about. In fact, Kavitha played a vital role in food presentation. Srivatsa, our photographer, simple, genuine and hard working – ever willing.

Pratibha’s mom once asked her brother Prabodh what made him so passionate about this project. He said, “Mom! These girls will kill themselves for that right word, the right phrase (he had seen our endless editing and the dozens of times we tried each recipe). How can any of us not respond likewise!” This was a compliment indeed.

I can understand that publishing a book is not as simple a process as preparing a dish. You might have gone through a great deal of work to get the book in to the market. How did you survive through tedious process?

Once the book was ready, quite a few friends and relatives came forward to launch the books. You can see that in the calendar page of our site. Pedatha’s son Mr. A.P.Parigi, an encouraging, positive, friendly person, came forward to launch the book in a big way in Mumbai. That evening was a phenomenal success.

Apart from that, Westland immediately agreed to distribute in India. We are still far behind in distribution though. As single book authors, it is not easy to get a shelf place in stores. However, since we are primarily ambitious as writers, it gives us that space within ourselves not to get obsessed with sales and marketing beyond a point.

What do you think about food blogs and would you like to share anything else with the readers of food blogs?

Food blogs are a reaching-out point for most net savvy cooks. It is almost like a huge wave out there. So easy to find recipes now, just a click away. And in blogs, the responses from other readers to the recipes make it interesting, as well as help decision-making. The best thing is the photographs on food blogs – they are honest, the food looks as it cooks. We wish every food blog would have a grandma’s corner – recipes, health tips, and anecdotes. Grandmas and granddads are such an awesome phenomenon.

What a wonderful thing that blogs are free! Anywhere, anyone who has something to say or share has a forum to do so. Thanks to food bloggers, our kitchens are constant discovery zones now.

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Arati ~ Ava Pettina Kura (Raw Banana with a Twang of Mustard)
Recipe from “Cooking at home with Pedatha”

I have been cooking several recipes from the cookbook for the last few days. Traditional recipes that I totally forgot until now. One such recipe is plantain curry with mustard seeds paste. Known as arati ava pettina kura, this special, seasonal dish of Andhra is often prepared for festivals.

I’ve followed Pedatha’s words and instructions mostly, and added salt and chillies to suit my taste. The result was a spectacular, simple dish, which brought me incredible joy. The kind of joy and happiness one would feel when remembering a cherished memory or taste from the past. Thank you Pedatha!


Plantain cubes and Mustard Seed- Coconut Paste

Recipe:

2 plantains
peeled & cut into cubes – boiled in water just until tender & drained.

For Mustard Seed ~ Coconut Paste:
2 teaspoons mustard seeds and 1 tablespoon of raw rice
(soaked in warm water for 10 minutes – to soften, so that they can grind well)
¼ cup of fresh grated coconut
8 green chillies – small, Indian variety
1 inch piece of ginger – peeled and cut to tiny pieces
¼ cup of fresh cilantro leaves and pinch of salt
grind them to smooth paste without adding any water – in a mortar or in a blender

For popu or tadka:
1 tsp each – urad dal, cumin, mustard seeds
6 each- curry leaves and red chilli pieces
A pinch of asafetida powder

Salt and turmeric to taste

In a wide skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil. Add and toast popu or tadka ingredients listed to gold color. Add the grinded paste. Saute until it leaves the raw smell for few minutes on medium heat. Add in boiled plantain cubes, turmeric and salt. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle two tablespoons of water and cook covered for about 10 minutes stirring in-between.

Serve warm with chapati or rice.


Arati Ava Pettina Kura with Chapati (Plantain – Mustard Curry with Chapatis)

Cooking at home with Pedatha:
Recommend this cookbook to your local libraries
Jigyasa and Pratibha’s Website: www.pritya.com
Cookbook cover and authors photo credit : Jigyasa and Pratibha

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Posted by Indira©Copyrighted in Amma & Authentic Andhra,Arati Kaaya (Plantain),Biyyamu (Rice),Coconut (Fresh),Reviews: Cookbooks,Zen (Personal) (Tuesday December 12, 2006 at 8:48 pm- permalink)
Comments (63)

The New Home of Mahanandi: www.themahanandi.org

63 comments for Cooking at home with Pedatha ~ Cookbook Review, Interview and Recipe »

  1. Great job with the interview Indira…this book is quite popular in the bookstores out here too…I loved the all colour layout with the generous pictures..besides Andhra food specialty blogs have made the terms in the book a lot familiar..

    Comment by Nandita — December 12, 2006 @ 9:19 pm

  2. Wow! Your interview with Jigyasa & Pratibha was really gave a good insight about the book and also about such a respected lady, Pedatha. I feel good & lucky to say that my husband’s family is related to Subhadra garu and Late Sri VV Giri garu. Me & my husband havent had the opportunity yet to meet Pedatha garu personally though.

    Arati aava pettina kura looks so yummy! My mom also makes the similar way and it is always a big hit at our dinner table. It gets over in no time! I like this curry a lot! I havent tried this till now but seeing you make it, i want to make this curry.

    I enjoyed reading this post of yours.Thanks so much for sharing.

    Comment by Deepu — December 12, 2006 @ 9:24 pm

  3. Wonderful interview, Indira! It brings out the essence of the cookbook, the humble soul that is Pedatha and two very vivacious and ambitious young women!

    Comment by Manisha — December 12, 2006 @ 9:41 pm

  4. Hi Indira,
    That’s a great interview! It so clearly reflects the simplicity & modesty of Pedatha which reminds me of my own grandmothers and elders in the household! Though it is impossible to capture the worldy wisdom of elders in a book, attempts like these at least guide us in the right direction. This book would be such a treasure! I love the idea of Grandma’s Corner on blogs..how wonderful!

    The plaintain curry recipe reminds me of very similar recipes from my home. We call this “Kaai-Saasve Palya” meaning coconut-mustard dry curry. A similar paste is also mixed with cooked rice to prepare a very armoatic rice dish.
    BTW, I have started working on getting my own blog going. Thanks so much for your encouragement. I am really looking forward to have it up and running in the next few days 🙂
    – Roopa

    Comment by RD — December 12, 2006 @ 9:48 pm

  5. Hi Indira

    That’s a wonderful book and nice review and interview.

    Here is another very very Interesting interview of apparently a very famous american chef Raji Jallepalli.

    http://www.starchefs.com/Raji/interview.html

    I will be very glad if we can know more about Raji jallepalli and her recipes through you because we are used to your style of presentation.You almost spoonfeed us with your simple presentation and narration of a recipe.Thank you.

    -jagan

    Comment by JaganMohan Reddy — December 13, 2006 @ 12:07 am

  6. Hi

    I recently bought this book and it is wonderful, I tried the googura pachadi and it was awesome…..I am not a good cook.

    Comment by sundari — December 13, 2006 @ 12:53 am

  7. That was a nice interview to read Indira, chala telusukunemu, this is the first time I came to know about the book.
    so nice of you Indira, and the goodies for the Hope project are nice.

    lakshmi

    Comment by lakshmi — December 13, 2006 @ 3:12 am

  8. What a wonderful interview! Even better is Pedatha’s contribution to the new generation…I am sure many will treasure this book. Thanks for the recommendation.

    Trupti

    Comment by Trupti — December 13, 2006 @ 8:34 am

  9. I have been planning to buy this book when it was released, just for its name “Pedatha” 🙂 I would love to own a cookbook with traditional recipes.
    That was a good interview Indira !
    I’am definetly going to “bid” or “buy” this book 🙂
    Congratulations to Pedatha and the authors for capturing the substance and style of Traditional Andhra cusine.

    Comment by Priya S&S — December 13, 2006 @ 8:36 am

  10. Hi Indira,

    The pics of the author duo & Pedatha in the post are beautiful.
    Am a marathi, married to an Andhra guy, and 1 thing that got me close to rest of my new family is Andhra food. Its just amazing. I refer your blogs quite often to cook andhra spl dinners 🙂
    Now will refer to Pedatha as well 🙂
    Keep posting – you do a great job.

    Comment by snehal — December 13, 2006 @ 9:23 am

  11. good job Indira! I was eyeing this book when I was in India over the summer. I read the review in the local paper and magazines, but couldn’t find it in the stores. Hopefully someday I will have the book.

    nice post…

    Comment by Saffron — December 13, 2006 @ 9:30 am

  12. That was a wonderful post on the book Indira. Now I am really desperate to own a copy of it !! It was really nice to get to know the writers and how the book came into existence, our grandparents surely are our treasure chests !! For some reason, reading the post and watching pedatha has made me feel homesick and in need for a hug from my nanamma 🙁

    Comment by Priya — December 13, 2006 @ 10:21 am

  13. Hi Indira, That is a great interview and wonderful write-up (as usual) for a very special book. Pictures of the authors and Pedatha are beautiful. Great job.

    Comment by Pavani — December 13, 2006 @ 11:04 am

  14. Hi Indira,
    A wonderful interview and review. I am not familiar with Andhra cuisine but the fact that the age old recipes with no compromises are best is definitely true.
    We make so many changes for ease of cooking etc. but simply put “old is gold”

    Comment by sandeepa — December 13, 2006 @ 11:15 am

  15. I had heard abt this book some time back but hadn’t bought it. U did an excellant job personailisng the people behind the book. Now I really want to buy this book.

    Comment by shaheen — December 13, 2006 @ 11:41 am

  16. Hi Indira,

    I like the way you present your recipes. Very elegant.

    I was gifted with a crockpot and I am trying hard to find easy vegetarian recipes I can make using it. Would you have any to share?

    Thanks,
    Anu

    Comment by Anu — December 13, 2006 @ 1:14 pm

  17. This book is right now is $30! I would love to buy it but a little later:)) Looks interesting!
    Great interview.

    Comment by Asha — December 13, 2006 @ 4:10 pm

  18. Very nice interview and pictures.

    Comment by krista — December 13, 2006 @ 7:13 pm

  19. Hello Indira,
    I just discovered your blog today through Lucullian Delights (one of my favorites). First I read your post about “At home with Pedatha”, then I worked my way back until I arrived at the one about Blogging. I loved it. Really funny. I reacted to the “boring blogs” post myself, and I had a similar feeling, that is: different strokes for different folks.
    Anyway, your site is so interesting, and there is so much here for me to learn because I know almost nothing about Indian cooking, except for a few spices, which I occasionally use. Can’t wait to explore.

    Comment by anna maria — December 13, 2006 @ 9:30 pm

  20. I just bought this cookbook and also love it, although I am not even Indian. But I love its writing style and the simplicity and tastiness of the recipes. I think Pedatha also is so beautiful. She just shines and you can see the love her nieces have for her as well in the photos.

    Thank you for the interesting interview.

    Comment by Diane — December 13, 2006 @ 10:50 pm

  21. Ok, so I read a great review of this book on your blog (which happens to be my favorite food blog btw). Great! So, what do I do next, go to Amazon in hopes of buying it. What do I see? $39.99?? I agree many people worked hard to get this great (as being called by so many big-wigs in cooking world) cook-book out into publishing world, but hellooo $39.99 for a cook-book, that too when you can find so many recipes for “free” online (just like I find so many good ones on this blog alone)?? And what surprises me more is it costs just Rs.450 back in India.. so much for the home-based recipes, heck no, I gotta make a better use of my hard earned money!

    Comment by Jyothsna — December 13, 2006 @ 10:59 pm

  22. Jyothsna: Regarding comment 21, I agree that coming from a third world background as many of us are, it is originally disconcerting to see something priced so “high”. However, I suggest that we should really not be comparing this book to its price in India but to a similar book of its kind published here. A small trip to your local big box bookstore should show you that books by the celebrity chefs here- printed and bound the way this is- will cost about that range initally. Another analogy would be , expecting an entree at an Indian restaurant here in north america to be priced differently from that at an Italian restaurant say.

    If you analyze carefully, everything in this world can be shown to be priced arbitrarily. Consumer psychology is such that if you make somthing very cheap ,its perceived value goes down accordingly. Think of how though a Walmart sold purse, thoughs made in the same sweatshops as the Guccis and Pradas of this world, still invokes a very different image in our minds. On another note where is the justice of buying a pair of nike shoes for which Michael Jordan gets paid more for advertising them than the combined annual salaries of all the of the workers in its sweatshops elsewhere in the world.

    Finally, if it was priced that way in India i.e equivalent of US 40$, it would be beyond the affordability of most people. In fact, even Rupees 450 for a cookbook, I’m sure, is still beyond the range many people in India. Think outside software- indUstry fuelled urban centres and you’ll get the picture.

    I think it was Oscar Wilde who described a cynic as someone who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing. To me, that was the key in justifying the “price” of this book against its “value”. IMHO, this cookbook is more than just a cookbook- its a certain way of life. And that in itself justifies the price.

    Indira: great post as always! Sorry for the long comment. Hope it doesn’t start a comments war here again. I was not being offensive- just sharing my POV.

    Comment by Janani — December 14, 2006 @ 9:36 am

  23. Hi Indira,I tried to comment before but somehow my comment didn’t go through.lets hope this one does..

    The interview is great.Where and hos did you meet the authors?It is such a delight to be talking to someone who has just compiled the best of andhra cooking..I would love to have this book even if it is just for the sake of reading it.

    The arati-ava kura is a regular at my ammamma’s place.Although my mother never makes them,I just love the taste,and make ava kooralu every so often.and aratikaya is my fav veggi too…

    Comment by Vini K — December 14, 2006 @ 9:44 am

  24. Oh Indira, after reading this post, I desperately want to buy the book…if only it wasn’t sky-high expensive(it costs 40 bucks on amazon..and i never spend more than 20 on any cookbook)
    I love Andhra food, its my favorite cuisine after Hyderabadi

    Comment by Nabeela — December 14, 2006 @ 10:14 am

  25. RE: Costs of cookbook.

    I plumped for it on Amazon in November(although it is quite high, even by standard of comparable cookbooks), and then found it in India for Rs450. Sigh. I guess I should have guessed I could get it there, but didn’t even think I could find it widely marketed there. Still, however the route to ownership, I love it!

    Comment by Diane — December 14, 2006 @ 10:43 am

  26. Great Interview! In fact I agree with Jyothsna (#21) on her comments. I wouldn’t spend $40 on a recipe book alone. I have an excellent idea though.. Indira, why don’t you try all the recipes in the book (since it was given to you for “free” to review) and post them here in your blog with your own touches and excellent pictures, and then we’ll all get to try them within our affordability.

    Comment by Sucharitha — December 14, 2006 @ 10:51 am

  27. In support to my earlier comment (#27), take a look at other comparable books prices on Mahanandi itself!

    Comment by Sucharitha — December 14, 2006 @ 11:06 am

  28. http://astore.amazon.com/mahanandi07-20/104-8321570-3281553?node=0&page=3

    Comment by Sucharitha — December 14, 2006 @ 11:06 am

  29. I have received quite a few emails and comments by interested readers about the options for buying this book. Distributors (&authors) offered few copies at a special price to Mahanandi readers.

    7 copies of the book are offered at a price of $19.50 per copy. This price includes Priority Mail shipping within United States.

    The book is listed on Ebay and this is a fixed price sale, and you can buy the book immediately. If you have any questions, please use ‘Ask seller a question’ section on the top right handside of Ebay page.

    Click here to purchase.

    Thank you.

    Comment by Indira — December 14, 2006 @ 11:11 am

  30. Hi Indira,
    I just ordered a copy of the book from ebay. Hope to get it soon!

    Comment by Devi — December 14, 2006 @ 11:51 am

  31. Wow ! What a post! Wow!

    Comment by InjiPennu — December 14, 2006 @ 12:14 pm

  32. Do some googling and you get the same book for 25$-30$

    Comment by Smitha — December 14, 2006 @ 2:50 pm

  33. Thanks all for your nice comments about the interview and review. Usually I shy away from such things, but because I liked this book verymuch I dared.

    Hi Roopa: COngratulations, do let me know about your new blog, when you start.:)

    Hello Jagan: I’ve never heard of this chef. Thanks for the link.

    Hi Anu: I don’t own a crockpot. So no idea, sorry.

    Hi Anna Maria: Thanks for your nice words about Mahanandi. I really appreciate it.

    Hi Diane: Glad to hear that you bought this book. It’s really a treasure for anybody who are curious about real authentic Andhra cuisine. About the price – Actually the authors in their website are selling the book at much lower price than Amazon.
    Oh well, sorry, last time when I checked (few weeks ago), the price of book was much lower than that of Amazon price.

    Hi ViniK: Sometimes spam karma eats up the comments on its own. Sorry about that.
    The interview is all through emails, didn’t meet the authors yet. They are really good people.

    Sucharitha: You call that “excellent idea”? Have some respect for other people’s work. Really. You don’t have show such contempt towards the authors just because of a high price. You know what I’d do when I don’t want to buy a book because of high price, instead of passing such juvenile suggestions to others, I would recommend the book to my local library. I can get it for ‘free’ in that way.

    Hi Devi: thanks for your interest, I think you are going to receive it in two to three days.

    Thanks Inji Pennu!

    Comment by Indira — December 14, 2006 @ 5:06 pm

  34. Enjoyed the interview..
    I would love to add the book to my collection. But I think I should wait.

    Comment by RP — December 14, 2006 @ 6:32 pm

  35. Awesome interview…and a wonderful book indeed…one of my students presented me this on my birthday…fabulous gift indeed…and pedatha now supervises my andhra experiments in the kitchen!

    Wish you and your family a Wonderful New Year blessed richly!

    Comment by shynee — December 30, 2006 @ 2:12 am

  36. Is there a way one can buy this book in India? Amazon seems to expect dollar pamnets only no rupee prize is indicated. Please let me know how I can procure this book? I want to buy it only in Inida.
    Syamala Kallury

    Comment by Syamala Kallury — December 31, 2006 @ 12:23 am

  37. Great interview Indira. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you and your family a wonderful New Year.

    Comment by mandira — December 31, 2006 @ 7:38 am

  38. Here’s Wishing you a very Happy New Year Indira. May God bless you and your family with all the
    happy things in this coming year.

    Cheers, Nidhi.

    Comment by Nidhi — January 1, 2007 @ 1:06 pm

  39. Hi Indira,

    Firstly, wish you and your family a very Happy New Year.

    I am one of the many silent visitors of your website, who highly appreciates your work. It is through your simple means of cooking and your husband’s rich photography; I remember home closer than I ever did from US. I am sorry to hear about the poor comments that has made you close the comments section. I cannot even imagine what and why any body would do such a thing. I felt an instant sadness in your opening comments at the website today and just wanted you to know – there are few people who are saying bad things but there are numerous people like us who are not saying anything because we know who you truely are – a very good person. I have never followed anybody’s blog as closely as I do yours. Please continue your blog.

    Thanks,
    Shweta.

    Comment by Shweta — January 2, 2007 @ 10:07 am

  40. Hi Indira,
    Firstly , wish you and your family a great and a prosperous new year and many blogs and recipes to come from you!It is really sad that you are closing the comments section. But let me tell you a lot of people dont realise the value of recipes that are passed on from generations. At least I didnt until a while ago .Now while Im in the US and begging, prodding and probing and spending quite an amount on phone calls to get to know about a dish my mom aunt or sisters prepared, I regret that i did not pay attention and your blog has definitely been a solace and saviour. Hope you blog wonderful recipes in the times to come and god bless!

    P.S. The book is definitely a sure hit!!

    Comment by Deepika Saripalli — January 2, 2007 @ 2:16 pm

  41. Hi Indira,

    Wish you and your husband and all your families a Very Happy and Prosperous new year 2007,dear.I am sorry that you had to close your comments section to deter unwanted comments.Just keep up your good work,we all know your value to us and to everyone who is looking for their share of the “Home” atmosphere.

    Comment by Vini K — January 2, 2007 @ 11:03 pm

  42. Happy New Year Indira & Vijay

    Comment by sandeepa — January 3, 2007 @ 6:50 am

  43. Hi Indira – this is a wonderfullly simple recipe and looks delightful. Pedatha looks like my nani (granny) who also has wonderful recipes.

    Thanks fo sharing and a very Happy New Year to you and your family.

    Comment by Mallika — January 3, 2007 @ 8:10 am

  44. Ah, so the wicked commenters have struck here too! Such a pity, Indira that a wonderful blog as yours has had to close the comment section because of a few mischief mongers.
    Here’s to a more peaceful year ahead. Happy new year.

    Comment by ammani — January 3, 2007 @ 9:54 am

  45. ola,
    happy new year,
    am in india at the moment, so really didnt have the time (or the empty belly :D) to come online and ogle at your delicious as ever webpage..but jsut dropped by to wish you happy new year..alas the comment section was closed, but have an awesome year and amy it bring you everything you wished for.

    Comment by disha — January 3, 2007 @ 10:15 am

  46. Dear Indira

    Wish you and Vijay a very Happy,Prosperous New Year.Hope this year brings peace,prosperity and success in your lives. I was disappointed to see that the comments section has been closed for a while yet understand what it means like to go through the turbulence that you went through by means of seeing some unpleasant comments on your site. Hopefully, this comes to end soon and everyone writes all nice and good things here.

    Please continue blogging…so many of us appreciate and value your work. Btw, i made the 7 cup Besan Coconut barfi and it turned out superb!! Really, Kudos to your preparations and Three Cheers to Mahanandi!!!

    Comment by Deepu — January 4, 2007 @ 8:24 am

  47. Hi Syamala, check out Authors website. You can purchase through that website by paying in Rupees.

    Shynee, Mandira, Nidhi,Shweta, Deepika, Vini K, Sandeepa, Mallika, Ammani, Disha and Deepu:
    Thanks for the wishes and Happy New Year! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.

    Comment by Indira — January 4, 2007 @ 4:00 pm

  48. Greetings,

    My compliments to you on your site. I ordered the book off Amazon. I am very excited to get the book. Thank you for the article and the interview on those special “Ladys”. The respect that was given to Pedatha is great! I am proud to pay that $$$ for those cherished recipes. Please keep up your beautiful photography. Along with the splendid recipes and beautiful journalism.
    Thank you Lady,
    Suzy

    Comment by Suzy — January 6, 2007 @ 5:53 pm

  49. Hi Indira garu
    Happy New Year to you and your family.
    cheers
    rajani

    Comment by rajani — January 6, 2007 @ 9:09 pm

  50. Dear Indira,
    Happy New year to you and your family.
    I have been reading your blog and tried many of your recipes with great Sucess. I would like to thank you for a wonderful website. Dont let anybody comments keep you down. You know empty vessels make the most noise. Keep up the good work!!
    Nina

    Comment by Nina — January 8, 2007 @ 12:59 pm

  51. […] Read review at Mahanandi. […]

    Pingback by Vindu » I cooked with Pedatha today ! — January 24, 2007 @ 10:14 pm

  52. Hey Indira,
    I finally could buy the book from your site and Im very excited about trying out new recipes from it. I visit your site almost everyday and lo I see this book just for $19 ! What luck!!! Thanks a lot and Im waiting to lay my hands on it soon!

    Hi Deepika,
    Congratulations!
    I think you will receive it in 4 to 9 days. Do let me know, how you like the recipes, once you receive the book. Thanks for your support Deepika and I greatly appreciate it.
    —Indira

    Comment by Deepika Saripalli — February 1, 2007 @ 8:26 pm

  53. Hey indira , I received the book, though not sure if i recd it earlier but I checked my mail box only today. Thanks for the book again and sending it promptly and also great packaging!

    Hi Deepika, thanks for letting me know. I hope you like the book like I have and cook many recipes from it.
    —Indira

    Comment by Deepika Saripalli — February 7, 2007 @ 8:12 pm

  54. I already made the ginger chutney and it was a big hit and a couple of the recipes which are there in the book were once upon a time cooked by mom and aunts but due to other things in life have kinda been extinct. I hope to learn , revive them and maybe decide to have a blog soon. Well.. Im not such a great cook like all the bloggers out there, but will definitely make an attempt.

    Comment by Deepika Saripalli — February 12, 2007 @ 7:49 am

  55. […] Some recipes from this book illustrated online: Vankaya Muddha Kura (Brinjal Pasty Vegetable) at The Cook’s Cottage Arati Ava Pettina Koora (Mustard flavoured Green Plantains) at Mahanandi Rasam Podi at Jugalbandi Sambar inspired by Pedatha’s recipe at Jugalbandi […]

    Pingback by A tale of two cookbooks » jugalbandi — April 19, 2007 @ 5:24 am

  56. Hi Indira,

    I wanted to buy this Book but looks like there are no more books left.Can you please let me know when the book would be available at ebay again.

    Thanks!

    Great Blog.Keep up the Good work.

    Indira replies:
    Hi Suchitra, Thanks for your interest. Ebay listing ended yesterday. The book is available at our Amazon associate store. Here is the link.
    Thanks.

    Comment by suchitra — April 25, 2007 @ 12:28 pm

  57. Thanks for the Quick Reply Indira.

    I just ordered for two books from your amazon associate store.

    One for me and one for my friend who is getting married very soon 🙂

    Thanks!

    Suchitra.

    Comment by suchitra — April 26, 2007 @ 4:28 am

  58. Conratulations!! Excellent Presentation.

    Comment by kishan jain — May 3, 2007 @ 10:16 pm

  59. Hello Indira,

    I got my own copy (along with Grains,greens and coconut) y’day from amazon. I have made the featured recipe many many times. Now I don’t know what to try from the wonderful recipes in the book… Thanks for introducing ‘Pedatha’ to us…

    They both are really good books to have and to cook from. Congratulations Latha.
    Pratibha and Jigyasa have started a blog now on Pedatha’s name (link is at Mahanandi’s right sidebar). Do visit their site to leave a comment and I think they would be happy to read your feedback.
    Best regards,
    -Indira

    Comment by Latha — June 25, 2008 @ 1:34 pm

  60. Hello Indira garu,

    I tried Aratikaya aavapettina kura and it came out v.good. We enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for posting it.I tried the same curry with a different recipe and it did not come out that good. But,this one is too good to resist.

    Thanks again,

    Deepthi.

    Comment by deepthi — December 13, 2008 @ 1:17 pm

  61. I tried this recipe too and it turned out really good.Thanks.

    Comment by neema — September 16, 2009 @ 4:49 pm

  62. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I do so love plantains, and I get hungry just looking at your wonderful pictures.

    I was looking for comments on the book “Cooking at home with Pedatha”, and you have convinced me. The book is now on high up on my wishlist, even if it seems almost impossible to find.
    Greetings from Denmark -Karin

    Comment by Karin — May 29, 2010 @ 6:20 am

  63. […] Mahanandi » Cooking at home with Pedatha ~ Cookbook Review 12 Dec 2006. I would love to own a cookbook with traditional recipes.. much for the home- based recipes, heck no, I gotta make a better use of my hard Mahanandi » Cooking at home with Pedatha ~ Cookbook Review […]

    Pingback by Better home cook book recipe - Recipe cook - Recipes cookbook — December 15, 2010 @ 1:04 am

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