perfect What a delight to find this book. All of the other reviewers are spot on with their championing of this treasure-trove of gorgeous recipes. As with her other books, Roden gives amusing and interesting anecdotes while relating the recipes and you can imagine the communities and individuals whence the recipes derive.
It is a must for any kitchen, with informal and easy to follow recipes making effortlessly delicious meals and treats.
Highly recommended!
A book for body, mind and soul Love of food, encyclopaedic of knowledge and matchless experience shine from every page where anectode, personal and apocryphal, share space with evocative, irresistible recipes. A book to be enjoyed for the love of cooking and reading.
Adam and a Packet of Chick Peas I bought Claudia Roden's original book in 1973 (the year my son was born) and have used it regularly ever since. He has just rung me for a "hummus" recipe and to ask what to do with the extra chick peas he has soaked. Naturally, I immediately turned to my copy of "A Book of Middle Eastern Food", found a recipe for "Chick peas with Potatoes and Tomatoes" which I handed on to him, and, hoping it was still in print, decided to order him a copy. I am delighted to find there is a new book, and feel sure he will... more info
If you buy one Middle Eastern cookery book... ...make it this one. The recipes easy to follow, and Roden's writing style is peppered with amusing anecdotes about her childhood in Egypt and historical information that make this book a good read outside the kitchen as well as in.
Whereas many Middle Eastern cookbooks leave out ingredients (presumably to make the dishes seem less scary to Western palates), Roden's recipes are authentic. Many include alternate suggestions and regional variations from family recipes submitted by her friends and readers... more info
