Food of the Grand Trunk Road

Synopsis

The Grand Trunk Road is one of South Asia's oldest and longest roads. For centuries, it has linked the eastern and western regions of the Indian subcontinent, running from Bengal, across north India, into Peshawar in Pakistan up to Afghanistan. Today it is still a major route, the axis of India's heavily populated north. "The Food of the Grand Trunk Road" is a fascinating look at the food, culture and traditions that have sprung up along this route, promising recipes that reflect the eating traditions of the real India. In addition, it presents a beautifully illustrated history of the road since its emergence as India's first route for traders. This book follows Hardeep Singh Kohli's travels along this age-old route, starting in Calcutta, linking with Lucknow, Aligargh and Delhi before curling north into the Punjab region of northwest India. The recipes are provided by Anirudh Arora, head chef at Moti Mahal in London, who has devoted his career to researching the long-forgotten recipes of rural India as found along the old Grand Trunk Road. Nostalgic favourites include 'bhalla papadi chaat', a dish discovered in the streets of North India featuring crisp-fried pastry and chickpeas with a tamarind and mint chutney. From the seductive barbecued flavours of the Punjab to the sublime dals and vegetarian food of Lucknow, this will be an eye-opening look at Indian food.