I started this blog I was an absolute novice to Lebanese and Middle Eastern cooking. These are some of the Lebanese & Middle Eastern Cookbooks I used to get some inspiration for this food blog.
I am keen to learn more about Lebanese & Middle Eastern cuisine so if you know of a great book that you would like to recommend to me please feel free to send me an email at marita (at) mydinner.co.uk
2015:
Sesame & Spice: Baking from the East End to the Middle East
by Anne Shooter
Finally, a middle eastern recipe book dedicated to baking. Strictly speaking, it is a book about Jewish baking, so it also includes recipes from Europe but also some wonderful middle eastern and Passover cakes, bread and other savoury bakes. My best find for 2015 so far and I am in the process of testing the recipes. Read my full review here.
2014:
Persiana: Recipes from the Middle East & Beyond By Sabrina Ghayour
A Wedding Anniversary present from my husband and it kept us happy for another year. A colourful collection of recipes that I had never heard of before. I have presented some of my favourite recipes in on MyDinner before such as the Feta & Pistachio Dip, the Adana Turkish Meatballs and the Lamb, Prune and Tamarind Stew. It was my first insight into Persian cooking and now I am hooked.
2013
Comptoir Libanais: By Tony Kitous
Comptoir Libanais is a very popular Libanese Canteen here in England. Unfortunately, I have never been there, but I have the cookbook so I can tell you with confidence it will be good. This book is great for a novice in Lebanese cooking. The instructions are easy to follow, and the ingredients not too difficult to find here in the UK. You will have seen a few recipes here that was inspired by the book like the Salmon with Pomegranate Glaze, the Lebanese Spiced Butternut Squash Soup or the Pita Bread recipe.
2012
Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi &
Now here is a book I wished I had spent a little bit more time with. This book came out the same year me & my husband went to visit Jerusalem. And what an impression it made on us. The recipes embody the multicultural and flavoursome society we met in Israel. I have not cooked as much as I wanted from this book but the Pearl Barley Risotto with Tomatoes, Spinach and Feta left me with an extra appetite to try more.
2011
Orient Express by Silvena Rowe
A great book that concentrates on small dishes from Istanbul & Damascus. Not all the recipes have pictures that some of you do not like. I love the recipes because they are especially light and fresh-tasting, and stand out due to their simplicity. Recipes that have been tested in this blog include Zaartar and Chilli Spiced Chicken and the Caramelised Fennel Bean Salad.