From the Shelf / From the Vault: Dishoom
Some books are nice. Some are useful. Then there’s this one — picks you up, drops you straight into another world, keeps you there till the cover shuts. Dishoom is one of those rare ones that actually earns its space on the shelf.
This isn’t just recipes — it’s a ticket to Bombay. The sights, the sounds, the smells. The people. The culture. You get it all.
What’s wild? They’re still busy. Queues round the block. Tables full in the dead hours. Food’s proper good. My sister’s a big fan. I don’t mind it either, but my heart’s more Lahore — Uberstone Street E1.
They even run a brilliant “roll a six” dice game, dreamed up by ad man Rory Sutherland — a bit of behavioural science magic that turns what’s basically a 17% discount into the thrill of winning the jackpot. Clever. Memorable. Pure Dishoom.
The book’s got everything, from knock-up-quick dinners to the more technical bits. And if you love a ruby (that’s “ruby murray” in my Cockney mother tongue), you’re on to a winner.
My pick this week: House Black Daal. Never made it. Ate it twice. Loved it. Sneaky tip — slow cooker works a charm (just fry the paste first).
Give it a go. Or better — if your nana’s daal is a show-stopper, share it. Don’t be shy, give it a try
Follow the fish — not the fashion.
