I wanted to share a cookbook that I found called The Mughal Feast: Recipes from the Kitchen of Emperor Shah Jahan by Salma Yusuf Husain, as I thought that some of you may also be interested! It is described as a transcreation of the original handwritten Persian recipe book Nuskha-e-Shahjahani from the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's time.
Other cookbooks you may also be interested in: Scents and Flavors: A Syrian Cookbook by Charles Perry (a cookbook from thirteenth century Syria), Parsi: From Persia to Bombay: recipes and tales from the ancient culture by Farokh Talati (a rich fusion of Persian and Indian influences), Delights from the Garden of Eden by Nawal Nasrallah (traces the genesis and development of Iraqi cuisine over the centuries, starting with the ancient Mesopotamians through medieval times to the present).
I have a particular interest in cuisine from all the territories and surrounding countries of the Himalayas. Some Himalayan cookbooks include Ayla: A Feast of Nepali Dishes from Terai, Hills and the Himalayas by Santosh Shah, On the Himalayan Trail: Recipes and Stories from Kashmir to Ladakh by Romy Gill, Taste Tibet: Family Recipes from the Himalayas by Julie Kleeman and Yeshi Jampa.
I would love to be recommended cookbooks (or food blogs) if you have any you like!
You've mentioned many of the main areas of miniature painting and this is so inspiring! I have the Mughal Feast thanks to you, and I know there is also a British Museum publication... pretty sure for Medieval cookbooks as well. Heston Blumenthal likes the Vivandier (medieval French cuisine).
I love the Nimatnama, the Book of Delights of the Sultan of Mandy! So watch out for classes incorporating some delicious ideas from here - there was also a tradition of miniatures in this - and this is a direct academic translation of a historical recipe book, also with recipes for aphrodisiacs and perfume and medicine and much more.
To be inspired, contemporary-wise, edibly, look to Dishoom - this is a UK brand of Parsi-Indian restaurants that are absolutely brilliant and I've always been impressed every time I've been. (@Sheetle Shah one day!- and I look forward to your input here - you could also follow Sheetle on Instagram for ideas inspired by food!) Dishoom also has a great cookbook. https://www.dishoom.com
I want some everlasting chai now! I'm really grateful for your Himalayan ideas too and look forward to checking them out. Khazana by Saliha Mahmood Ahmed for a young, fresh and brilliant take too: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Khazana-Indo-Persian-cookbook-inspired-treasure/dp/1473678560
[I don't think they had garlic soup sadly - I am quietly and eagerly waiting to be corrected!]
A stew, a soup or a curry is a great metaphor for the art and painting process in general.