Dr. Bali is the real Spice Girl!

Back in 2008, Dr Bali released her inaugural Indian cookery book, ‘Mom’s Cooking & More’, to wide acclaim and her subsequent public demonstration of some of her recipes in Montgomery’s restaurant in the town was a packed occasion.

This Friday, Ballymena Mayor, Councillor Maurice Mills will help her launch ‘Mom’s Cooking & More II’ and a complementary book, ‘Mom’s Cooking & More: Spices, Chillies, Herbs & Other Indian Cuisine Ingredients’.

The former has been written by Dr Bali in response to general queries on how to mix, match and serve dishes in the context of an Indian set menu and there are 12 of these menus featured in the book. Each comprises a starter, main, side and dessert.

The menus are, as in her first book, interspersed with cultural articles - Bollywood Rocks, Delhi Rhythms, Rock Gardens, and Indian Jewellery - making ‘Mom’s Cooking & More II’ a highly interesting and engaging read.

Her complementary publication on Indian cuisine ingredients gives short descriptions, properties and usages of various spices, pulses, lentils etc. used in Indian cooking.

It also has a listing and discussion on some of the commonly used European herbs which are also generating an interest in Eastern cuisine, making this a useful reference book for cooks of all abilities.

Both publications are illustrated with dozens of photographs, adding significantly to their content and attraction.

Prior to becoming a cookery writer, Dr Bali, a native of Karachi who settled in Ballymena in 1980, has worked as a lecturer in history and a financial advisor and has privately taught Indian cookery. She is married with twin sons and has six grandchildren.

Moms Cooking & More II is priced 12.99 and Mom’s Cooking & More: Spices, Chillies, Herbs & Other Indian Cuisine Ingredients’ is priced 4.99.

Copies will be available at the launch on Friday which is open to the public from 11.30am.