The Spice Queens - Mamas recipies

The Story Behind the Book

This book is a love letter to mamas, What began as a keepsake has become an invitation to discover the secrets behind Arooj’s mamas unforgettable Kashmiri flavours.

Kashmir, a land of breathtaking beauty and a people who continue to long for freedom, some of the deepest memories of home live in its flavours. In the warmth of a kitchen, the fragrance of spices, and the dishes a mother prepares with a love that needs no words.

And the real secret? The spice blends. This book teaches you how to create them yourself, revealing the combinations that transform simple ingredients into extraordinary curries. These are the game changers, the little secrets that make all the difference.

And because good cooking is as much about seeing as it is about tasting, this book is made for the visual learner, too. With photographs guiding you through each stage, you can see exactly what to look for as you cook, from the first sizzle of the spices to that all-important question: just how brown should your onions be? No guesswork, just mama’s wisdom, shared one step at a time.

A Labour of love, this took many years to complete, from a family kitchen in Bradford, the Curry Capital of the UK 😎 these are recipes to return to, master and share. A thoughtfully chosen collection, with plenty of vegetarian options, this is not about overwhelming you with endless dishes, but helping you cook each one beautifully. The kind of book you will reach for again and again, until the recipes become part of your own family’s story.

Aroojs Gobi Aloo recipe was also featured in 'Meet our Mothers' cookbook for Bradford 2025.

As Arooj writes:

“May you enjoy the true happiness I have known whilst sitting around the table with my sisters. May you be blessed with the flavours my out-of-this-world mother has created. Had I ever to choose a last meal, it would be any of these, for eternity.”

At Hubb & Huriya, we believe there is something precious in what we inherit and what we choose to share. Through mama’s recipes, a little of Kashmir’s soul finds its way to your table. And perhaps that is how we keep joy alive: by remembering where we come from, gathering those we love, and passing the flavours of home on.

Details

Hardback

Size

10 x 8 inchs