Tandoori Home Cooking by Maunika Gowardhan – Hardback Cookbook

Tandoori Home Cooking is a hardback cookbook by Mumbai-born chef Maunika Gowardhan with over 70 classic Indian tandoori recipes adapted for home ovens and grills, from tikka and kebabs to naan, chutneys and kulfi. No clay oven required.

Clay-oven flavour without the clay oven

The tandoor has been the heart of communal kitchens across northern India for generations, and Maunika's mission is to bring that flavour home. Every recipe is written for a conventional oven or grill, so the marinades, spice blends and char work all year round, and they translate beautifully to a hot charcoal barbecue.

What's inside

Chapters run through Chicken, Lamb, Fish and Seafood, Vegetarian, Breads, Condiments, Sides and Salads, Desserts and Drinks, with an essential ingredients guide up front and menu plans at the back to help you build a full spread.

Highlights include Aslam Butter Chicken, creamy Murgh Malai Tikka with green chilli and coriander, Achari Murgh Tikka with mustard and chilli, Zafrani Paneer Tikka, peppers stuffed with spiced potato, Garlic and Ghee Naan, and Mango and Pistachio Kulfi Lollies to finish.

Who it's for

Barbecue cooks who want to go beyond the usual rubs, curry lovers ready to master proper marinades, and anyone hosting a feast. The menu plans make it easy for confident beginners to pull together a full Indian spread.

About Maunika Gowardhan

Maunika Gowardhan is an Indian chef and cookbook author, born and raised in Mumbai and now based in the UK. She writes for publications including BBC Olive and BBC Food, is a contributing editor for Vogue India, and her earlier books include the bestselling Thali.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

This is the one that turns a hot grill into a tandoor in everything but name: over 70 marinades, kebabs, breads and sides from northern India's clay-oven tradition. Darryl's pick is the Murgh Malai Tikka, creamy, green-chilli bright and charred at the edges. Grab it, marinate overnight and shake off the excess so the coals char rather than steam. Partner it with The Curry Guy BBQ for kettle-friendly curry-house cooking and Live Fire for more ideas over flame, and slip a pinch of Mudgeeraba Garam Masala into the butter chicken, strictly off the books.

Questions answered

Who wrote Tandoori Home Cooking?

Tandoori Home Cooking was written by Maunika Gowardhan, a Mumbai-born chef and cookbook author based in the UK.

How many recipes are in Tandoori Home Cooking?

Over 70, across chicken, lamb, seafood, vegetarian dishes, breads, condiments, sides, desserts and drinks, plus menu plans.

Do I need a tandoor oven for Tandoori Home Cooking?

No. Every recipe is written for a conventional home oven or grill, and the dishes also suit a hot charcoal barbecue.

Is Tandoori Home Cooking a hardback, and how many pages?

Yes. It's a 224-page hardback published by Hardie Grant in 2023.

Is Tandoori Home Cooking good for beginners?

Yes. It explains the essential ingredients up front, and the menu plans show you which dishes go together.