This is a treasure of a cook-book. Madhur Jaffrey presents well over 100 recipes from all over the world (everywhere from Natal to London and from the Caribbean to India) accompanied with cultural and historical background. She includes worthy anecdotes from her own life. Everything seems to be covered; main courses with fish, pork, veg, soups and stews, breads, rice. A pleasure to cook with and a joy to browse through, with only a few "I've never even heard of that spice" moments. Probably not for the beginner cook, but even the most spice-averse friend of mine has been served up something from this which has changed their minds. ( )