The Cardamom Trail: Chetna Bakes with Flavours of the East

I loved watching Chetna on The Great British Bake Off, so when I saw she had written a recipe book I just had to have it. It is a fantastic price on here so it was very happily ordered. I have had this book for a week now and have made 2 of the bakes from it so far. I can't wait to make the others too! The Rose and Honey cake is simply divine. I bake with rose a lot but have never baked anything as stunning to taste as that was. That will definitely be made again! There are a wide range of recipes in this book, from biscuits and cakes to breads and savoury dishes. I love the fact that it encourages you to try flavours you might not normally use. For example, the sensational Rose and Honey cake uses toasted fennel seeds in the cream filling and topping. I hang my head in shame and confess I had never bought or used fennel seeds before, but am so glad Chetna included them in her recipe as they have a lovely taste. I bought a big bag of them luckily, as they were also in the other recipe I made (fennel and phirni custard tartlets), and I shall also be making this again! There really is a recipe for every occasion in this book. Every recipe has clear easy to follow instructions, and the photographs make my mouth water! A very beautifully written book, one I will be dipping into again and again.

I wanted an introduction to baking with Indian spices, and that's exactly what I got! I loved Chetna on the bake off, and was very excited to hear that she had released this book! It's beautifully produced and split into logical sections and lots of high quality pictures. The recipes are well written and provide enough information to produce great bakes, I also like the fact the book is interspersed with pages that describe the spices used. There's also a good mix of both sweet and savoury bakes. So far I have made: Nankhatai - delicious, yet incredibly simple spiced indian shortbread. Coconut Ladoo - Indian sweets made with desiccated coconut and chocolate. Really tasty and they didn't last long in work! Mango and Cardamom Cake - a beautiful fresh cream cake with fresh mangoes and a delicious cardamom flavour. Chocolate and Coconut Cake - indulgent and tasty with lots of coconut! My partner loved it! I definitely recommend this book! I've included photos of the things I've baked so far. Some of the cake decoration differs slightly from the book, but that's just me putting my own twist on things!

Delicious fusion foods. Chetna was a good & an inspirational baker on "The British Bake Off" who made aromatic flavourful bakes. I had wanted to lay my hands, acquire some of her recipes and this book does not disappoint. This book is inspirational, lovely pictures of the food stirs you to want to get some of these apetising foods baked. I loved watching her during "The Great British Bake Off" and Chetna never failed to impress, yes, and so has this book not disappointed with all these baking based on flavours of the East. The baking includes chapters on cakes, pies and tarts, Sweet things, savoury small bites, breads and accompaniments. Spices are discussed in detail and a handy little index at the front directs you to the information, the information then gives suggestions on recipes containing that spice. I have yet to try any of the recipes but next holiday I'm going to give the savoury semolina cake, coriander and mint loaf, chilli chicken wraps and sweet baked samosas. If you want to be inspired by cooking with spices this is a great book well thought through. This Book will find a place in every kitchen. Well done Chetna.

I bought this as a Christmas present for my mum but before I wrapped it I had a good look through it myself. The baking was probably all above my head but none of the recipes seemed intimidating even for me who, who would definitely be classed as a novice baker at best. My mum found it very interesting and was well pleased so can't go wrong.

The book is wonderfully set out, and takes the reader on a little tour of India’s popular herbs and spices. The recipes are unlike any I’ve seen, and I’ve already made the ‘Star Anise and Lemon Chocolate Mousse Cake’. It’s one of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever eaten. If I had one very small criticism, it’s that the background photos to the spice sections make it a tiny bit hard to read the text…but it’s a quibble. Chetna’s recipes are glorious.

I bought Chetna's book as I'd loved watching her on the Great British Bake Off, she seemed like such a lovely, warm person and her use of spices looked delicious. When her book arrived, I wasn't disappointed at all, it's packed full of mouth watering recipes, beautifully composed photographs and loads of personal anecdotes and memories. I was worried that the recipes would be too tricky for me (I'm a competent cook, but not too daring!), but on the whole they look very easy to follow, and once I've topped up my spice box with a few more unusual spices, I'll be ready to give them a go. Thank you Chetna - I can't wait to get stuck in!

Everything cooked from a Chetna recipe has fantastic flavours. I have baked 3 of the cakes from this book in the 1st week ( family celebration ) everything turned out beautifully. I also use the YouTube channel "Food with Chetna" again everything is absolutely wonderful. Very highly recommended and my go to for everything food related.

I have just received my copy of The Cardamom Trail. I enjoy watching Bake Off, but don't normally bother buying the books the contestants release. I am always lookng for something different to cook, and love baking so decided to take the plunge. I am so glad I did. The recipes look lovely, there is lots of information about ingredients and the photographs are inspiring. What surprised me is that the book is not just about cakes. There are enough savoury recipes, including chutneys, a smoked aubergine recipe to serve with one of the lovely, spiced breads, dhal recipes and others to keep everyone happy The only problem is trying to decide what to make!

Simple fab with great indications & illustrations. Well done!

Wow! Chetna's recipes are great and her advice on getting the most from spices and flavour combinations has made cooking fun and fail safe. My friends and colleagues are really benefiting from all the tasty treats, too.

Il libro è arrivato con largo anticipo (1 settimana circa prima della prevista consegna). Pensavo arrivasse avvolto nel cellophane invece era "nudo e crudo" ma nonostante questo è arrivato in buone condizioni. L'ho già sfogliato ed è molto molto interessante. Lo consiglio soprattutto a chi vuole scoprire una cucina diversa con nuovi profumi. Ci sono ricette sia dolci che salate.

Este libro en su versión kindle es un auténtico regalo, lo doy 4 estrellas porque todavía no he hecho sus recetas, aunque conozco la cocina India y el indice de recetas es muy tentador. Me ha encantado su lectura y el diseño. Es un libro estupendo.

Good Book for people who want to try and experience new kinds of dishes