LANDS OF THE CURRY LEAF,

PETER KURUVITA, MURDOCH BOOKS, H/B, $55

Renowned Australian chef, author and presenter Peter Kuruvita takes his Sri Lankan heritage (on his father’s side; his mother hailed from Austria), his wide travels throughout the region from a young age, and the use of the curry leaf as a starting point for a culinary trail that covers the Indian subcontinent and then some, reaching into Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan, too. The collection is a celebration of both shared and unique flavours, but above all, it’s about the key role that vegetables, legumes and pulses play in these cuisines; the recipes here are vegetarian, many vegan.

Meat or fish-eaters won’t feel there’s anything missing: as well as a host of sides, snacks, condiments (so many pickles and sambals to love) and staples like breads, there are main dishes that look utterly satisfying – Kuruvita’s richsounding Sri Lankan Banana Blossom Curry has me mentally making a note to hunt down some blossoms at Avondale Markets. I’d take the book along and use it as a guide of sorts while browsing the overflowing produce stalls. AKS