Zaitoun: Recipes from the Palestinian Kitchen
Yasmin Khan unlocks the flavors and fragrances of modern Palestine, from the sun-kissed pomegranate stalls of Akka, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, through evergreen oases of date plantations in the Jordan Valley, to the fading fish markets of Gaza City.
Palestinian food is winningly fresh and bright, centered around colorful mezze dishes that feature the region's bountiful eggplants, peppers, artichokes, and green beans; slow-cooked stews of chicken and lamb flavored with Palestinian barahat spice blends; and the marriage of local olive oil with earthy za'atar, served in small bowls to accompany toasted breads. It has evolved over several millennia through the influences of Arabic, Jewish, Armenian, Persian, Turkish, and Bedouin cultures and civilizations that have ruled over, or lived in, the area known as ancient Palestine.
In each place she visits, Khan enters the kitchens of Palestinians of all ages and backgrounds, discovering the secrets of their cuisine and sharing heartlifting stories.
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Part cookbook and part travel journal, this work is full of recipes, photos, and stories from Palestine. It is bright in flavour and colour and will teach you about this incredible nation through dishes like slow-cooked stews of chicken and lamb flavored with Palestinian barahat spice blends-- "BookRiot"
A zingingly evocative collection of personal stories...Calling it a cookbook does it a disservice. Zaitoun deserves to be read as much as cooked from.--Tim Lewis "Guardian (UK)"
Excellent...Khan's cookbook is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the region's food and culture.-- "Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
Yasmin Khan draws on her vast experience as a storyteller, cook, human rights activist, itinerant traveler and writer to create a moving, empathetic, hugely knowledgeable and utterly delicious book.--Anthony Bourdain
This is the best kind of cookbook, one which tells you about people through the stories of their food. Compelling reading, gorgeous pictures--and the most delicious recipes. I can't wait to start cooking.--Ruth Reichl
A big bowlful of delicious Palestinian recipes, plus lots of insightful and moving stories.--Yotam Ottolenghi
As a Palestinian who grew up in Jerusalem, I have been conditioned to be wary of any non-Palestinian trying to share our story and our culture with the world...Very quickly I found myself in tears at just how beautifully and accurately she has captured the essence of our Palestinian culture. Yasmin Khan you have done Palestinians and our story justice, your understanding of the nuances of our culture and history is unparalleled.--Reem Kassis, author of The Palestinian Table
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