A Quest for the Perfect Rice

Biryanis, Khichadis, Teharis & Pulao

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The story of rice—bigger, older and richer than you think. A Quest for the Perfect Rice is not a cookbook—it’s a cultural epic served on a plate

This is biryani as you’ve never encountered it before: not a recipe, but a civilization in a pot. Blending history, food writing and storytelling, the book takes you on a richly layered journey through the origins of biryani, khichadi, pulao, tehari and India’s enduring rice traditions.

Framed as a surreal midnight conversation with the spirit of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last ruler of Awadh, the narrative unfolds like a grand, ghost-hosted durbar. As the night deepens, legendary figures from history arrive—bringing with them stories of royal kitchens, forgotten rituals, culinary rivalries and the evolution of India’s most beloved dish.

Part food history, part cultural anthropology and part whimsical storytelling, this book traces over 5000 years of culinary evolution—exploring Persian influences, regional adaptations and the emotional role rice plays in Indian homes and celebrations. From Muradabadi to Anglo-Indian variations, each chapter reveals how geography, memory and identity shape what ends up on our plates.

Witty, immersive and deeply researched, A Quest for the Perfect Rice is a feast of stories where flavour meets folklore. If you love biryani, food history, Indian culture or simply a great story well told, this book will change the way you see every grain of rice.