Tarla Dalal

Tarla Dalal

Tarla Dalal (1936 – 6 November 2013) was an acclaimed Indian food writer, chef, cookbook author, and host of cooking shows. Her contributions to the world of culinary arts in India were profound, with a focus on vegetarian cuisine. Dalal wrote over 100 books, selling more than 3 million copies worldwide, making her one of the best-selling cookery authors in India. Her work has been instrumental in making vegetarian cuisine popular, with a special emphasis on Gujarati cuisine, but also covering a wide array of international dishes.

Early Life and Education

Tarla Dalal was born in Pune, Maharashtra, India, into a Gujarati family. Details about her early education are not widely documented, but her journey into the culinary world was marked by a passion for food and cooking from a young age. She married Nalin Dalal and moved to Mumbai, where she began her culinary career in earnest.

Career

Dalal's career began with hosting cooking classes from her home in Mumbai in 1966, which quickly became popular. Her first cookbook, The Pleasures of Vegetarian Cooking, was published in 1974. This book became a bestseller and established her as a reputable name in cookery. Over the years, she wrote numerous books that catered to a variety of audiences, including children, diabetics, and health-conscious readers.

Dalal was not just a prolific author but also a television personality. She hosted several cooking shows on Indian television, where she shared her recipes and cooking tips with a wider audience. Her shows were well-received for their simplicity and the practicality of her recipes.

Contributions and Legacy

Tarla Dalal made significant contributions to Indian vegetarian cuisine. She was known for her ability to simplify complex recipes and make them accessible to the average home cook. Her recipes often included a mix of traditional Indian and international dishes, reflecting her innovative approach to cooking.

One of her notable contributions was the introduction of foreign cuisines to the Indian kitchen, making ingredients like pasta, cheese, and various herbs more familiar to Indian households. She also emphasized healthy cooking techniques and nutritional information in her recipes, catering to the growing health consciousness among Indians.

Dalal received several awards for her work, including the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, in 2007 for her contributions to the culinary arts.

Death

Tarla Dalal passed away on 6 November 2013, in Mumbai, after a brief illness. Her death marked the end of an era in Indian vegetarian cooking, but her recipes and cookbooks continue to inspire budding chefs and home cooks alike.

Bibliography

While it is not possible to list all of Tarla Dalal's works, some of her most popular books include:

• The Pleasures of Vegetarian Cooking (1974)
• Desi Khana
• The Complete Gujarati Cookbook
• Punjabi Khana
• Healthy Breakfast

See Also

• Indian cuisine
• Vegetarian cuisine
• Cookbook
• List of Indian chefs