This stunning, elegantly bound cookbook, filled with minimalist illustrations and photos, will satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth at festive gatherings.
Middle Eastern Sweets, the fourth book from Lebanese-born, London-based chef Salma Hage (The Middle Eastern Vegetarian Cookbook) includes 100 illustrations and more than 100 recipes. Hage's delightful and knowledgeable commentary helps make the recipes personal, with notes on culture, ingredients and beverage pairings.
Hage features a wide range of confections, blending traditional Middle Eastern delicacies with influences from other cultures. There are also several vegan and gluten-free options, and she provides ingredient substitutions where possible.
This is a book as decadent as the recipes it contains and will be sure to hold a treasured spot on any bookshelf. -- Grace Rajendran, freelance reviewer and literary events producer