A Grandmother's Legacy: A Memoir of Five Generations Who Lived Through the Days of the Raj

Jenny Mallin's earliest memories are of her mother in the kitchen, tapping a wooden spoon against the side of the metal dekshi and then tasting her curry sauce, checking the seasoning. From that moment, Jenny was hooked...

With her passions for cooking, India, research and writing, the outcome has been a labour of love - a memoir that mingles the history of her family when they lived in India, with her grandmothers' recipes that were prudently passed down through the generations. Each recipe has been lovingly researched, leading Jenny on a road of discovery about her ancestors, with her grandmothers' legacy continuing to assist in providing clues to their rich and eventful past. A unique insight into five generations of an Anglo-Indian family; an evocative memoir that stirs the imagination of the reader by bringing to life her grandmothers, their lifestyle and their recipes. It’s a story about these extraordinary ladies, who showed great foresight by sharing and passing their recipe book from one generation to the next… These were all ladies who were brought up during the reign of Queen Victoria and King George, fiercely loyal to their Queen (and King) and yet lived happily in their community in India, equally at home with making Yorkshire Pudding one day and a hot fiery Madras Curry the next. As proud custodian of a recipe book that dates back to 1844, Jenny has managed to share with us a glimpse into a fascinating period of time in Indian history.