Madjur Jaffrey has been writing about Indian food for many years. She was the first Indian TV chef in her native England and has graciously given us the benefit of her culinary talents in many books. Here she has deconstructed more complicated cuisine employing simpler techniques which still manages to produce delectable results. This is the book for Indian food lovers who want to cook inventive but easy recipes and save the more complex for dining out. Only a master could produce a book that delivers this ease and taste. A simple dish like South Indian Style Green Beans was superb with a grilled hangar steak. Her Chicken Baked with an Almond and Onion Sauce needed nothing more than brown basmati rice for a tempting main course. Jaffrey includes lots of tips and information, which answers most of your questions before you can even think of them. We tested her recipe for South Indian-Style Green Beans, which we loved because it packed lots of flavour for very little work. Try the recipe yourself here.

At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by Madhur Jaffrey (Random House, $40)