Taste of Beirut : 175+ Delicious Lebanese Recipes from Classics to Contemporary to Mezzes and More by Joumana Accad

Taste of Beirut : 175+ Delicious Lebanese Recipes from Classics to Contemporary to Mezzes and More by Joumana Accad

Published by HCI Books

US Publish Date: September 2, 2014

UK Publish Date: October 10, 2014

ISBN: 978-0757317705

Paperback : 320 Pages

£16.99

Rating: 5 out of 5

"A culinary masterpiece of authentic dishes from the Mediterranean and Middle East."

Firstly, a big thank you to the Publisher via NetGalley for allowing me access to a digital review copy of 'A Taste of Beirut' by Joumana Accad.  Although this absolutely has got to be bought in hard copy to appreciate fully, the digital copy was a welcome tease taster.

The recipes are divided into sections including, breads, breakfast, sandwiches, soups, mezzo delights, main dishes, pastries and drinks. All the recipes have easy to follow instructions making them attractive to a beginner to Middle Eastern cuisine as well as the novice.

Joumana has created a stunning debut cookbook with over 150 fabulous recipes inspired by her grandmother, 'Teta' on how to recreate authentic, mouth watering Lebanese dishes. The photographs took me right back to when I lived in the Middle East and experienced the fantastic Lebanese pastries and Lebanese bread.

This is a definite 'must have', hard copy cookery book to add to my collection and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to get making my own fresh bread and make more use the fragrant sumac my friend gave me as a leaving present !

Joumana Accad is the creator of the blog 'TasteOfBeirut.com' which features Lebanese recipes for home cooking.

Fabulous Food

There are some fabulous food publications due for release this year and here is a selection of my favourites that I am really looking forward to.

I'll report back in due course !

Beating the Lunch Box Blues by J.M. Hirsch

Amazon Link

Beating The Lunch Box Blues: Fresh Ideas for Lunches on the Go! by J M Hirsch

Publisher: Atria Books

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Release Date: 3rd September 2013

208 Pages

Rating: 4 out of 5

The basic concept behind the book is to cook one main meal of the day 'Dinner', and then create '2 lunch ideas' for the next days lunch box. Great for leftovers without feeling as if that's what you're eating. The book includes delicious recipes for the main meal and options for 2 lunches to be made for the next day from the leftovers. 

Chapters include sections on, 'Fast and Easy', 'Catch of the Day', Poultry, Fish, 'Breakfasts for Lunch', 'Little Bites', Sandwiches, Sausages, Noodles, Salads, Beefy, Soups, and a small section on vegetarian lunches which I would have liked more of.

We've all had that feeling of the 'lunch box blues' with the jam or chocolate spread sandwich, packet of crisps, chocolate cake bar, juice carton drink and bruised banana or carrot thrown in as the healthy piece of fruit & veg option.  Preparing and thinking of alternatives and eating them become a real chore and we end up throwing in all manner of processed rubbish. Not only do we and our children get a nutritionally unbalanced, plastic tasting lunch time meal, we become disheartened and eating becomes just a mechanical necessity. Our kids just throw it away!  This book has great ideas and alternatives with recipes included for a main meal and then the 2 lunch box options with photographs and easy to follow instructions, helping to make lunchtime something to look forward to.

There are many ideas to choose from and it certainly inspires you to try your own food combinations, and including your child's suggestions in the process, to create their healthy lunches.  With the use of a thermos a curry or hot soup during the winter season would be a welcome change from a cold lunch when you need warming up.

I would definitely recommend 'Beating The Lunch Box Blues' for regular packed lunch eaters, and parents with school aged children.  A fantastic little book to inspire ideas for cost effective hot and cold dishes for work or school or even for picnic lunches on days out.

Hirsch writes a food blog about his son's lunches with lots of photographs to further inspire you. Parker is a very lucky boy. I can't promise to be as committed on a regular basis to my children but I will endeavour, with Hirsch's help, to do my best. 

See more at LUNCH BOX BLUES

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

The Artisan Jewish Deli at Home

Andrews McMeel Publishing Link:

The Artisan Jewish Deli at Home

by Nick Zukin, Michael Zusman

Publish Date: 3rd Sept 2013

Hard copy $27.99

272 pages

Rating: A glorious 5 out of 5

This book brings the world of Jewish deli to the masses with a plethora of Information within each chapter about Jewish history and culture.

'The Artisan Jewish Deli at Home' offers  over 100 Jewish deli classics, with updated versions of these dishes making them more suited to todays tastes, and lifestyle requirements for quicker and easier food to prepare and cook.

The chapters comprise:

Starters and Sides;

Soups and Salads;

Eggs, Fish, and Dairy;

Beef;

Bagels, Bialys, and Breads;

and Pastries, Desserts, and Drinks.

Never thought of attempting Jewish cuisine but with 100 Sumptuous recipes to try, these easy to follow instructions, beautifully photographed dishes, and stylish page layout, I'm enthusiastic about giving them ago.

Some of my favourites are, and the list is sure to grow with tasting, Summer Chicken Salad,  Chocolate Babka French Toast, Cheese Blintzes, Buckwheat Blintzes, Mammy's Savory Noodle Keegal, Matzo Ball Soup, and well there are just too many to mention.

There is only one down side, the not so available ingredients.  The "Sources and Resources" section at the end of the book does detail suppliers of not so easy to find ingredients so it shouldn't be difficult to obtain your requirements.

I just love this book and cannot praise it enough.  A definite 'must have' to compliment your cuisine book shelf.

I Received an e-book version for review purposes but love it so much I'm going to purchase the hard copy when it is released in Sept 2013.   Can't wait !

Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to review this glorious cookbook.

Riso: Undiscovered Rice Dishes of Northern Italy by Gioietta Vitale

Open Road Media

Undiscovered Rice Dishes of Northern Italy

Gioetta Vitale

Rating: 3 out of 5

"One hundred quick and simple rice recipes capturing the flavor and excitement of traditional Italian cooking.  From soups and salads to risottos and desserts, Gioietta Vitale presents the best of northern Italy’s rice-based specialties. Illustrated with line drawings and filled with tips on ingredients, techniques, and even the perfect wine to go with each dish, Riso is a comprehensive guide to rice by a master of Italian cuisine."

Fantastic inspiration to cook. I was so excited about Riso: Undiscovered Rice Dishes of Northern Italy. 'Riso' contains a hundred fast and easy recipes to try from appetisers to desserts. With easily accessible ingredients and an uncomplicated method of cooking, this book would be a great addition to, or begin, any collection.

I loved the recipes and looked forward to trying some out. The only downside, which to me was a big disappointment, was that there are no colour photographs which really would make this a beautiful book to flick through for inspiration for that special dish or just a quick and easy meal. Unfortunately because of the lack of any photographs, and the price of $14.99 which I feel is a little pricey, I have only given 3 stars, rather than a 5 star rating indicating a spectacular book of cuisine.

I would however, definitely recommend this book and even encourage anyone unsure or unconfident in making rice/risotto dishes as the instructions are easy to follow, and what's more, they work. The rice filled peaches were just divine.

Move away from plain boiled rice and give these recipes ago.

Thank you Open Road Media and NetGalley.com for giving me the opportunity to review this book.