It is only when you start reading about the food of another country in depth that you realise what you thought to be true is not always so. Tikka masala, for example, was invented for the British palate and is not a ‘real’ curry after all.
There is a world of dishes to discover; Rick Stein’s India (BBC Books, £26) is a glorious culinary tour using traditional methods. Take a look at our selection of cookbooks below and get to know the heart of a country’s cuisine.