Unbound serves up Modha's 'modern desi style' debut cookbook

Unbound has launched a crowdfunder for Sanjana Feasts, a "fun, playful, absolutely delicious" debut collection of 80 original vegetarian and vegan recipes by Sanjana Modha. 

The book promises fresh takes on regional Indian favourites and recipes from the diaspora.

"Inspired by her Indian heritage, East African family background and Yorkshire roots, Sanjana’s approach to food is gloriously authentic, fusing flavours and influences to represent who she is and what she loves to eat," the synopsis explains. "With signature dishes such as ruffled biryani, pasta daal and Indian-inspired rocky road, Sanjana is paving a new direction for Indian cuisine."

Modha won the SHE Award for Outstanding Culinary Skills in 2021, and in 2020 was a finalist in the Asian Media Awards for Best Blog. “Growing up as a first-generation British Indian, I’m so proud to share the dimension of Indian cuisine I, and so many other members of the diaspora, have grown up with," she said. 

"Spoiler alert: It’s very different from the Indian food in restaurants and cookbooks. When it comes to the food that brings me joy, it’s the dynamic dishes, influenced by the famous Indian flavours we all know and love, that triumph. From weeknight-ready Halloumi Fries Chaat and Tandoori Cauliflower Cheese to dazzling desserts like Sticky Toffee Gulab Jamun and Bourbon Biscuit Laddoos, readers can expect rebellious, Indian-inspired mains, moreish snacks, playful puddings and copious amounts of chai. Yes, there’s curry, rice and roti, but remixed for the modern cook. Bring a spice tin and your stretchy pants.”

Commissioning editor Aliya Gulamani said: “Authenticity is a loaded word, particularly when it comes to food. It’s often used as a trope to present a myopic perspective of a country and its cuisine. In reality, the growing diaspora are looking for dishes that reflect our experiences, upbringing and identity as we shift between cultures and spaces. Sanjana Modha embraces fusion food in a way that I’ve never seen before. Her style is fun, playful and, most of all, absolutely delicious. I’m delighted to commission her debut cookbook at Unbound: Sanjana Feasts is a full-on celebration of Indian cooking in modern desi style.”

The book campaign is now live on the publisher’s crowdfunding site.