We are seeing a whole array of brand new Middle Eastern cookbooks that are being released this springtime. I am so thrilled! I’ve never cooked Middle Eastern food, let alone eaten it. My hope is that some of these cookbooks will inspire me (and you as well) to try Middle Eastern cooking. We would also love to hear from those of you who are familiar with Middle Eastern cuisine. Which of these cookbooks intrigues you the most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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1) Bilhana: Wholefood Recipes from Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco
The Bilhana: Wholefood Recipes from Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco cookbook looks amazing! It contains 130 full colored glorious photos.
There’s a huge emphasis on healthy cooking with this cookbook. Authors Yasmine and Shewekar Elgharably have created healthy cooking tips and techniques for us to use. They also encourage us to use seasonal and fresh ingredients!
Some of the dishes offered in this cookbook are: sundried tomato and butterbean dip, prune and dried apricot granola bars, fennel and pomegranate salad, etc. They’ve taken many classic Middle Eastern flavors and recipes and put a slight modern twist on them.
Each recipe has an indicator on the top if it is keto, dairy-free, gluten-free, protein packed, and more so we know what we are getting into. This is a great guide for those who are being careful about the foods they eat!
If you are looking for a healthy version of Middle Eastern cuisine, the Bilhana: Wholefood Recipes from Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco cookbook is for you!
2) Bavel: Modern Recipes Inspired by the Middle East
I can’t wait to get my hands on Bavel: Modern Recipes Inspired by the Middle East. This cookbook is from the creators and chefs at Bavel in Los Angeles.
The recipes are spectacular and full of color. All of these dishes are incredibly enticing. There are things I wouldn’t ordinarily try that look incredibly tasty.
Some things that I am looking forward to trying are tomato and plum with sumac vinaigrette, Turkish eggs (These look phenomenal!), and turmeric chicken with toum.
These dishes are really easy to prepare at home. The pictures are deceiving, because each recipe looks so refined. I originally made the assumption that these are difficult to make, but that’s far from the truth. The directions are clear and concise. The only hang up is the ingredients. Once you stock your pantry full of Middle Eastern essentials these recipes will be no problem!
I love the stories for each recipe, so we know where they come from. That includes the region and special personal stories by the authors. This is a beautiful cookbook!
3) The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey
I have never had Palestinian cuisine, so The Gaza Kitchen: A Palestinian Culinary Journey cookbook looks fascinating. This is the 3rd edition and many amazing culinary figures adore this cookbook.
There are 130 recipes from Gaza in this cookbook that will amaze you!
The first thing they go over in this cookbook are the pantry essentials. This chapter is absolutely key to the success of cooking more Middle Eastern dishes. Some staples are dill, chickpeas, mastic, red tahina, and more. This looks a lot different than the typical American pantry, right? These are all necessary for basic broths, dressings, pastes to start making some of the main dishes.
The photos showcase the awesome recipes, and also the culture of Palestine. We see what life looks for people who are halfway across the globe and indulging in their scrumptious local food.
4) Gazoz: The Art of Making Magical, Seasonal Sparkling Drinks
I’ve never heard of the beverage “Gazoz” before, until I saw this cookbook. In fact, the Gazoz: The Art of Making Magical, Seasonal Sparkling Drinks cookbook is one of the first to ever cover this topic!
Imagine old soda fountains, but more colorful with a whole array of flavors! These are a bit “healthier” as they aren’t filled with crazy amounts of sugar. I personally think that each beverage looks like a drinkable terrarium – they’re gorgeous!
Some recipes you will find inside are stone fruit, citrus, other fruit, floral, vegetable, and fancy Gazoz!
If the cover hasn’t sold you yet, take a look at some of the other photos. They are pieces of art in a glass and not that difficult to make! The possibilities are endless – you can experiment with a plethora of flavor profiles to create your own Gazoz. All you need is sparkling soda!
Who needs a La Croix when you can have a homemade Gazoz? These are perfectly refreshing for spring and summertime!
5) The Arabesque Table: Contemporary Recipes from the Arab World
I really love looking through The Arabesque Table: Contemporary Recipes from the Arab World cookbook. If you’re someone who loves photos, this is the cookbook for you!
There are 130 delicious recipes for us to make at home. Just as an example, they’ve provided a gorgeous rose tart that looks amazing that I want to try to make.
The chapters are very interesting – we have: Basics, dairy and eggs, eggplants + tomatoes, pomegranates + lemons, roots + shoots + leaves, coriander + cumic + cardamom, za’atar + sumac, grains + pulses, nuts + seeds, tahini, flowers + fruits. I’m sure as we read through some of the pantry basics, the chapter order will make more sense.
Recipes range from very easy to fairly difficult level to cook. Even the most complex dishes are broken down in a very comprehensive way. Even novice cooks can attempt some of the tougher meals.
There are symbols above every dish to indicate if it has wheat/gluten, dairy, meat, etc. Navigating this cookbook feels effortless!
This version of this cookbook is going to become a household classic. Even the cover is absolutely gorgeous!
6) Eat, Habibi, Eat!: Fresh Recipes for Modern Egyptian Cooking
According to author Shahir Massoud “In Arabic, “habibi” translates to “my darling,” a saying reserved for the closest friends and family…” Every recipe in Eat, Habibi, Eat!: Fresh Recipes for Modern Egyptian Cooking is filled with love.
There are 100 gorgeous recipes in this cookbook. Of all the cookbooks on this list, the pantry essentials chapter in this cookbook is my favorite. It is divided up into sections such as “baking”, “spices”, or “oils and vinegars.” It feels so easy to organize each ingredient after looking through the essentials!
It is divided into fairly typical sections: breakfast, appetizers, soups and sandwiches, mains, and of course, sweets!
Everything is beautifully laid out, including remarkable photography throughout, displaying the grandeur of Middle Eastern cuisine.
For beginners, this is the best cookbook to start your culinary adventure. Many of the recipes are very easy to compose. At the maximum, they take an hour to prepare. I really enjoy how the ingredients are all laid out in order. The instructions are not overly complicated, which I personally appreciate! Especially when cooking something brand new.
I can’t wait to try!
7) Sumac: Recipes and Stories from Syria
The cover of the Sumac: Recipes and Stories from Syria cookbook is beautiful. That is consistent throughout the inside of the cookbook as well.
Anas Atassi, the author, shares his heritage with us through this cookbook. We not only are able to take all of these gorgeous dishes home with us, but also experience a part of a culture many of us have never explored. This cookbook is full of memories from recipes passed down from grandparents or parents and other countries surrounding Syria. This cookbook is an absolute treasure.
We are given 80 traditional recipes to try in our own homes. Here is a few of those dishes: stuffed parsnips in tomato sauce, egg and beef pilaf, bulgur salad, and more.
Again, we see a range of difficulty in this cookbook. There are amazing easy recipes and some tough recipes in this cookbook. They do provide kitchen necessities in this cookbook which will help the initial level of each dish.
Check out this fantastic cookbook if you are interested in Syrian food and culture!
8) The Falafel Cookbook: Over 60 Fantastic Falafel Recipes to Feast On!
There are so many uses for falafel I’ve never considered that The Falafel Cookbook: Over 60 Fantastic Falafel Recipes to Feast On! has opened up for me! Did you know falafel can be a decent substitute for meat? (for my herbivores out there.) Not only that, but you don’t necessarily need to use chickpea flour? Come take a look at all this cookbook has to offer.
Even if there is a dispute on the origins of falafel, we know these tasty morsels from primarily Middle Eastern cooking. With this cookbook, we will continue to expand the uses of falafel in dishes like salads, sandwiches, soups, and much more. Some examples include: falafel scotch eggs, falafel shakshuka, Buddha bowls, and Moroccan salad.
I would never have guessed falafel could be so photogenic. Many of the recipes have a photo alongside that make your mouth water. These dishes are exciting, vibrant, and flavorful.
I, personally, have not been able to eat falafel, but crave it every time someone else gets it. There are alternative flour options so those with dietary restrictions can join in on the fun!
It feels a bit overwhelming sifting through all these cookbooks. They are all filled with unique dishes to introduce you to Middle Eastern cuisine and culture! Which one do you like the most?
~Kaiti
