If your taste buds can only be satisfied by the exotic, then consider Jasmine in her Hair: Culture and Cuisine from Pakistan by Huma Siddiqui ($29.95, White Jasmine Press, order directly from www.whitejasmine.com). Beautifully illustrated with full color photos, the book is a family effort and even a casual perusal of its recipes are enough to induce you to try your hand at them. From Pakoras (deep fried potatoes) to Dahi Naras (gram flour fritters in yogurt sauce), to Gajar Halwa (a carrot dessert), you will also be treated to a text that describes Pakistani home life, weddings, family rituals and traditions. The recipes are an invitation to let your palate travel to a faraway land, very much in the headlines these days.