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“What is Indian food in America?”

In her eagerly anticipated debut cookbook, acclaimed food writer Khushbu Shah injects an electric and irresistible energy into the story of Indian food, with 125 recipes inspired by the cooking of the diaspora. From the savory and bold flavors of Achari Paneer Pizza to the ultimate home-cooked comfort meal, a pot of Spinach Tadka Dal with rice, Khushbu’s recipes are flavor-packed, party-pleasing, and wonderfully surprising. She invites readers on a journey far beyond butter chicken (though she has a stellar recipe for it), offering instructions for preparing meals, drinks, and desserts as diverse as Saag Paneer Lasagna, Classic Dosas, Keralan Fried Chicken Sandwiches, Pani Puri Mojitos, and a Masala Chai Basque Cheesecake. Khushbu makes it easy to dive in, equipping home cooks with a list of simple-to-find pantry staples alongside vibrant images, clever tips and tricks, and illuminating essays that introduce a thrilling voice in American food.

About the Author

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KHUSHBU SHAH is a food writer and journalist who resides in Los Angeles, California. She was most recently the restaurant editor at Food & Wine magazine, where she crisscrossed the United States several times over on the hunt for the country’s best new chefs. She is the youngest person and the first person of color to ever hold that title. You can also find her work in the New York Times, Washington Post, GQ, Eater, and more. Additionally, her writing has been featured in the Best American Food Writing anthologies, and she has made appearances on television shows like Ugly Delicious. Khushbu grew up in Michigan, where her immigrant parents raised her with a deep appreciation for spices and good fruit. This is her debut cookbook.

Praise For…

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Khushbu Shah is showing a side of Indian food that everyone who enjoys eating should know about, and she does it in a way that makes it easy to understand and gets you excited to try it!
— Joshua Weissman, author of An Unapologetic Cookbook

I can't begin to explain how stoked I am for Amrikan! It's packed with playful recipes like Rice Krispy Bhel, Crispy Paneer Burger, and Nutella Burfi. But more importantly, Khushbu Shah highlights how many of our immigrant mothers cook. By blending cultures and adapting to use what's accessible, they create new family recipes that are just as reflective of the diaspora as the foods they ate back home. Yes, please, to Carrot Halwa Sticky Buns!

— Sohla El-Waylly, author of Start Here

As one of the most exciting culinary voices of our generation, Khushbu Shah redefines what it means to be Indian American in her debut cookbook, Amrikan. Filled with emotion and recipes that demand your attention—this is a cookbook you will be returning to over and over for inspiration.

— Andy Baraghani, author of The Cook You Want to Be

I’ve been a fan of Khushbu Shah’s work from day one, and her first cookbook knocks it out of the park, deeply wonderful and highly doable using mom-approved grocery store adaptations but also hella fun. I want to Julie–Julia the whole book.
— Deb Perelman, author of Smitten Kitchen Keepers

Imagine being someone that has eaten at restaurants across the country, several times over, for your job! A discovered and informed perspective is apparent but what really drew me into Khushbu’s inaugural cookbook were the crave-able pathways of nostalgia and family tradition. Very little can compete with coming back home. Approachable, comfortable, and full of heart.
— Kristen Kish, chef, author, and host of Top Chef

At last! You don’t have to live in India and have access to only Indian ingredients to cook fantastic Indian food. The great Khushbu Shah has provided brilliant, original, easy, and, most of all, delicious Indian American recipes that will dazzle anyone’s palate. You will want to make and eat, every dish.”
— Phil Rosenthal, TV writer, producer, and host of Somebody Feed Phil

Like most Indian Americans of my generation, I grew up in a kitchen witnessing culinary genius: Mom. She never left the kitchen. If we went to restaurant, she’d eat spitefully, and then remark, ‘I can make this at home. Why did we come here?’ And then she would make it. But always with her own Indian twist. And then, as I grew older, I tried to imbue some of her styles into my own cooking and, every now and then, I actually made a winner. That’s what this cookbook is: it’s the best of every Indian Mom in this country mixed with the best of their kids. And now I’m going to cook every one of these dishes for my kids. Perhaps, like my mother, it can make me insufferable in restaurants. Thank you, Khushbu.
— Ravi Patel, actor, director, producer

Shah’s approach and colorful photographs make this a delightful starter cookbook for Indian fare.
— Booklist