Why this book

My mum’s food has always been a topic of conversation. Sometimes my cousins would come round with Spinach and ask my mum to cook it.

Over the years I have fallen in love with her food more and more, this book started out as keep sake for me truthfully and has grown in to something exciting.

I hope you enjoy both the food and the photography as much as I have enjoyed creating it.

What's inside

This is more than just a recipe book. It's art and home cooking combined in a sensory experience as you devour the food.

Inside you will find everything you need to cook delicious Pakistani/Kashmiri curry, you'll never buy a takeaway again.

The key is mum's secret spice blends and the tips and tricks that will satisfy the most intense of curry cravings.

Curry Capital

Bradford is nestled in the lush green hills of West Yorkshire. It is a melting pot of flavors from so many parts of the world.

If you have ever been lucky enough to feast on the curry that flows like rivers of joy you will understand why it has won curry capital over five times in recent years.

These are our family recipes from the curry capital and you're going to love them.

So what you waiting for?

The Spice Queens

Everything you need to know to cook amazing Bradford style home curry. My mums secret tips and tricks rolled into a beautifully photographed journey into food heaven.

Basaar & Garam Masala

Each book comes with a packet of my mum's special basaar and garam masala blends to get you started. If your feeling lazy you can order the spice mixes separately.

What people are saying

"Thanks so much for the beautiful book! I love it! Such gorgeous pics and I love the way you packaged it. Can't wait to use it. Thanks so much!"

Catherine, Royal Tunbridge Wells

"Arooj! Your book is absolutely stunning and the recipes are really well put together. Wishing you lots of success in the endeavour."

Sobia, London

"My wonderful mystical beautiful friend has realised a long time dream of making a book of her mum's recipies and her own beautiful photography. It's a very personal, very special book of delights."

Abigail, London

"It's a stunning book and a real hit on the senses when you open the envelope up, I love it. The photos and composition are stunning."

Bill, Warwickshire

"I've been cooking curry for years but always resort to a takeaway for the real thing. Not any longer. No takeaways since the book arrived and curry every week. I've not cooked much else in fact!"

Mark, Leeds

About Arooj

Born in Yorkshire, England, Arooj picked up a 35mm film camera at the sprightly age of seventeen – so began her love for light. Her love for spice was handed down from many generations of amazing women.

Arooj has seen the effect of her mums cooking those who are lucky enough to taste it. She wanted to find a way to share this magic. Arooj set out on a journey to be able to bring you her mums’ secret recipes. She is inspired by the divine feminine energy that has graced her life and her creative abilities she has gained as a photographer.

Arooj is currently working as an instructor in photography at Leeds Arts University and Leeds City College. She currently resides in Bradford, Yorkshire - the sensational curry capital of the world!

This book dedicated to two of the most amazing women that help mould her, her two sisters Sumerra and Samrana. They were lost to us here so soon, but their legacy lives on in her, in her work, her sci-fi obsessions, her hip shaking and with all the friends they have gifted in to her life.

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