An Invitation to Indian Cooking: A James Beard Award Winner

A beautiful fiftieth-anniversary edition of the essential Indian cookbook—"the final word on the subject" (The New York Times)—featuring a new introduction by the author and a new foreword by Yotam Ottolenghi

An instant classic upon publication, this book teaches home cooks perfect renditions of dishes such as Mulligatawny Soup, Whole Wheat Samosas, and Chicken Biryani, alongside Green Beans with Mustard, Khitcherie Unda (scrambled eggs, Indian style), and Nargisi Kofta (large meatballs stuffed with hard-boiled eggs).

The “queen of Indian cooking" (Saveur), Madhur Jaffrey helped introduce generations of American home cooks to the foods of the subcontinent. In An Invitation to Indian Cooking—widely considered one of the best cookbooks of all time and enshrined in the James Beard Foundation’s Cookbook Hall of Fame—Jaffrey gives readers a sweeping survey of the rich culinary traditions of her home.

Living in London and homesick, she was prompted to re-create the dishes of her Delhi childhood. Jaffrey taught herself the art of Indian cuisine and, in this groundbreaking book, she shares those lessons with us all. Featuring more than 160 recipes, the book covers everything from appetizers, soups, vegetables, and meats to fish, chutneys, breads, desserts, and more.

From recipes for formal occasions to the making of everyday staples such as dals, pickles, and relishes, Jaffrey’s “invitation” has proved irresistible for generations of American home cooks.

Beautifully redesigned—and with a new foreword by the author and a new introduction by superfan, Yotam Ottolenghi—and featuring Jaffrey's own illustrations, this anniversary edition celebrates An Invitation to Indian Cooking’s half a century as the go-to text on Indian cooking.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs