In the mustard-slicked kitchens of Bengal, where every wooden spoon drips with golden memories, and the coconut-drenched shores of Kerala, where curry leaves dance like emerald whispers, a story simmers. This is Masalamandi — not just a book, but a vibrant landscape of flavor, written by Sadaf Hussain, a chef whose hands are maps of culinary migrations. From the cardamom-perfumed valleys of Kashmir to the tamarind-stained coastlines of Tamil Nadu, Masalamandi is a pilgrimage — a journey that transcends mere cooking. Each page is a kitchen, laden, drenched, and infused with the essence of India. It is a collection that speaks of the land and its people, where every dish holds a secret, every spice carries a memory, and every meal tells a story.
The curry leaf speaks of Kerala’s monsoons.
The Kashmiri chili remembers mountain winds.
The Bengal mustard oil carries the breath of paddy fields.
Masalamandi is not just about food; it is a map of India itself, traced through its kitchens and dishes. Sadaf Hussain, who rose to fame as one of the top eight contestants of MasterChef India 2016, takes us on a journey through the diverse culinary landscapes of India. From the winding lanes of Old Delhi, where the smell of fried samosas mingles with the clamor of the markets, to the salt-sprayed shores of Kerala, where fish curry simmers beneath swaying palms, Sadaf brings to life the vibrant tapestry of Indian cuisine.
As a culinary cartographer, Sadaf has mapped India not with borders, but with flavors. His book is a passport stamped with turmeric, sealed with saffron, and perfected by generations of kitchen wisdom. Masalamandi is an exploration of the heart and soul of Indian food, a journey through kitchens that range from roadside stalls to royal palaces, each dish telling the story of its region, its people, and its history.
The mustard oil of Bengal, the curry leaves of Kerala, the Kashmiri saffron — these aren’t just ingredients; they are the threads that bind the fabric of India together. But beyond the spices, Masalamandi is about the people who use them—the generations of mothers and grandmothers who stir slow-cooked curries, the fathers who wait patiently for the perfect rogan josh, the children who eagerly anticipate the first bite of haleem, and the communities that come together to celebrate food as a part of life’s rituals.
A celebration of these traditions
From the coastal kitchens of Goa, where fresh seafood dances in coconut-laced curries, to the royal kitchens of Rajasthan, where every dish is fit for a maharaja, and to the busy streets of Delhi, where kebabs sizzle over open flames, every chapter introduces us to a new facet of India’s culinary soul. Each dish is a story, each flavor a reflection of the places Sadaf has traveled, and every bite a reminder of the connections food forges between generations.
Sadaf’s own journey is one of transformation. From a humble town where he first learned to cook under his mother’s guidance, to the high-stakes world of MasterChef India, his path has been as unpredictable as a masala dabba, its contents always surprising. In Masalamandi, he lets us into his world—showing not just the recipes he has perfected, but the soul of the food that sustains him. In every dish, Sadaf invites us to connect — to embrace the joy of cooking, the magic of sharing food, and the warmth of family. The spices in Masalamandi don’t just tantalize the taste buds—they speak to the heart. The Bengali mustard fish recalls the salty breeze of the Ganges, the keema of Lucknow hums with the tales of Mughal emperors, and the Chettinad chicken curry is a fragrant ode to the heart of Tamil Nadu. These are dishes that transcend time and geography, connecting us not just to the food but to the people, the stories, and the celebrations that have shaped them.
Masalamandi beckons you to not only cook but to feel—to savour the stories of India in your own kitchen, to pass them along to those you love, and to make them part of your own tradition. It is a book that invites you into the heart of India, where every meal is a festival, every bite is a memory, and every dish tells a story.
A perfect addition to any food lover’s collection, offering both a culinary adventure and a beautiful journey through India’s diverse regions, kitchens, and traditions, Masalamandi belongs on your shelves.
