There are whole chapters on chilis and spices; how to stock a useful Indian spice larder and where and how to buy the staples to fill it; you will find treatises on oils and ghee, rice, how to eat "Indian style," what kinds of curries come from where, what special equipment is needed (almost none); and Zubin D'Souza even answers the question: Do Indians eat soup?
Having been collected regionally, many recipes are found in no other cookbook. Be the first on your block to prepare lentil dumplings in mustard sauce!