Cook-Along! With Vasanti Bhadkamkar-Balan, Cookbook Author

San Mateo County Libraries welcomes Vasanti Bhadkamkar-Balan on Thursday, October 20, at 6:30 PM. Vasanti will host a cook-along based on her new book, Authentic Indian Cooking With Your Instant Pot, before taking questions from the audience.

Register to receive your Zoom invitation for the event. You’ll also receive an ingredient list for the optional cook-along!

New Techniques Reinvent Traditional Flavors

Bring the complex flavors and alluring aromas that are the benchmarks of Indian cooking into your kitchen with this diverse collection of easy and mouthwatering recipes. Vasanti leverages the benefits of the Instant Pot to elevate your favorite dishes, imparting layers of flavor to beloved masalas and curries in less time than the traditional preparation. These recipes save you hours of marinating meats and simmering stews, making elaborate Indian dishes accessible for everyone—even on a weeknight.

Best of all, many dishes include variations that let you tailor them to your special diets or preferences, whether after an authentic dal or a fresh spin on popular street food that works for you.

What else will you find inside? Everything from South Indian and Maharashtrian recipes to modern Indian desserts with a Western spin. Traditional recipes like Chicken Tikka Masala or Basundi have never been easier to make at home, with plenty of variations. Plus, new dishes like Pearl Couscous Khichadi, Jackfruit Biryani and Instant Pot Mithai Cake, opens a new window leave you with something new to discover in each of the 60 recipes.

Vasanti will share her journey to becoming a recipe developer, food photographer and social media influencer. We think you’ll love the cook-along, whether you’ll be cooking with us or just watching the magic!

Get to Know Vasanti Bhadkamkar-Balan

Vasanti Bhadkamkar-Balan is a recipe developer, food photographer and the creator of the popular blog and Instagram account Signature Concoctions, opens a new window. She attended the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City and has taught cooking classes for over a decade. She lives with her family right here on the Peninsula.

Old school pressure cookers are the most beloved kitchen gadgets in India. When I moved to the U.S., I actually packed my pressure cooker in my luggage—and I know almost every one of my friends did too when they moved! —Vasanti

If you’re looking for real-deal Indian flavors and dishes that go beyond classic tikka masala, you have to check this out. Vasanti shows off her Instant Pot skills and culinary creativity, bringing together a must-have collection of recipes.Irena Macri, author of Eat Drink Paleo Cookbook and founder of InstantPotEats.com, opens a new window

A bright and colorful ode to Indian cooking, this book is perfect for folks who want a lot of flavor with the ease of their Instant Pot. These dishes will become part of your weekly meal rotation!Hetal Vasavada, author of Milk & Cardamom

Beautifully written and filled with gorgeous photos, this book inspires readers with a modern take on traditional Indian recipes, all made in the Instant Pot. A must-have!Manuela Mazzocco, opens a new window, author of The Complete Italian Cookbook , opens a new window and creator of Cooking with Manuela, opens a new window