[Synopsis]

Though the countries in the Persian culinary region are home to diverse religions, cultures, languages, and politics, they are linked by beguiling food traditions and a love for the fresh and the tart. Color and spark come from ripe red pomegranates, golden saffron threads, and the fresh herbs served at every meal. Grilled kebabs, barbari breads, pilafs, and brightly colored condiments are everyday fare, as are rich soup-stews called ash and alluring sweets like rose water pudding and date-nut halvah.
Our ambassador to this tasty world is the incomparable Naomi Duguid, who for more than 20 years has been bringing us exceptional recipes and mesmerizing tales from regions seemingly beyond our reach. Nearly 125 recipes, framed with stories and photographs of people and places, introduce us to a culinary paradise where ancient legends and ruins rub shoulders with new beginnings—where a wealth of history and culinary traditions makes it a compelling place to read about for cooks and travelers and for anyone hankering to experience the food of a wider world.

[My Review]

As someone who’s half Iranian, one of my favourite parts of visiting Iran (apart from seeing family and the absolutely incredible landscapes, of course) is those delicious, to-die-for Iranian dishes. Well, some of them might not be strictly Iranian, but I know them as Persian/ Iranian dishes, so…
I’ve sadly never had time when in Iran to get someone to properly teach me how to make some of those dishes, so this book looked perfect. I was a little apprehensive, wondering if I’d effectively be able to recreate these dishes…Well, I needn’t have worried. I’m not the most highly skilled cook really, but still found the dishes that I’ve tried so far easy to follow and they tasted so good!
The recipes seem like really traditional recipes which is great as they’re bound to be tried-and-tested, and I found them both really full of flavour and just like the dishes I’d had out in Iran – so a definite tick for authenticity, too!
In addition to the amazing recipes I really like the added info about the various countries (including Azerbijan, Iran, Armenia and Georgia, plus others) and the beautiful photography too – so lovely to flick through.
Would make a great coffee table book as well as being an excellent cookbook – excellent!

[Rating: 5/5]

Many thanks to Artisan Books for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review