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The Arab-Israeli Cookbook
A companion to Robin Soans’ docudrama The Arab-Israeli Cookbook, this volume collects the actual recipes shared by the people Soans interviewed in Israel and Palestine. The dishes range from carrot cake to kebabs, from falafels to gefilte fish, from tabbouleh to tuna melt. Includes color photographs and commentary on the people who provided the recipes. Winner of a Gourmand Cookbook Award in 2004.
- GenresCooking
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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October 12, 2009
In September 2003, Robin Soans went with theatre directors Rima Brihi and Tim Roseman to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank to interview dozens of people living there, and sample as much food as they could.
The resulting playtext is a mishmash of culinary delights, the humdrum verbiage of everyday speak, and accounts of violence on the horrifying scale that has become grimly familiar from this conflict.
A question, Mr Soans - given the locations of the interviews, why isn't your play entitled The Palestinian/Israeli Cookbook?
From the word go, the play is weighed down by a potentially disastrous high-concept and too-transparent purpose; here we are to see Palestinians and Israelis living their day by day existence in an appalling situation - the author's introduction, in the worthy tones that seem to come so easily to verbatim theatre, says 'I have given a voice to those whose opinion would not normally be heard.'
First point of interrogation, then: 'I have given a voice...' In selecting his perspective (as well as necessitating his material) Soans has developed an a-priori methodology which, whilst not presupposing the actual responses of his subjects, has carefully located the ways he will present, and we will receive his text. 'Hey, they're just like us! And they're just like each other! We all eat!'
It's not quite as spurious as that, and certainly the motive is not in itself a bad one; my issue is simply that the frank manipulation of form and perspective that runs as a hallmark through the work of so much verbatim theatre is never acknolwedged by the practitioners themselves - worse, as in this case, it's often wilfully obfuscated as they simper their alleigance to striving for 'the truth.'
Why this particular aspect of the conflict and not another? Why these particular people over others; why these of their words and not others? Why this subject at all; why the need to attempt to shine a new light (or some other cliche) on this conflict, and not another?
None of these questions are unanswerable, and the responses would, I believe, lend genuine weight to an apologie for Soans' brand of verbatim theatre - it's just that he doesn't answer them, and his works come sealed with a faintly self-righteous proclamation of 'veracity,' whereas his own function in selecting what is 'important' for us to know, and then editing the material he's solicited in forms which we, the audience, will be best affected by, bear closer resemblence to narrative traditions stemming from 'fiction' than they do to 'the truth.' And there's nothing wrong with this - so why doesn't he, and the others in his field, admit it?
Whilst, as a play, The Arab/Israeli Cookbook isn't particularly dreadful, it's nowhere near on a par with Talking To Terrorists or A State Affair, and has the added discomfort that one tends to get terribly, terribly hungry from the descriptions of food herein. The first half is fairly wilfully light; though there's a deeply disturbing section where an Israeli lady holding a dinner party is asked about her 'wonderful floor tiles', and she replies:
"They were pulling down an old Arab house down the road and I happened to be passing. I saw these beautiful floor tiles and asked if I could buy them... They said if I wanted them, I could have them, as long as I arranged to have them taken away."
This incident is not given particular emphasis, nor is it ever referred back to again, and I think it was this casual acknowledgement of the reductionist colonialism at work that set my back up. Later, in the second half, things take a turn for the worse, and accounts of bombngs, shootings and killings start filtering through the felafel and stuffed vine leaves.
One of the most thought-provoking moments comes from Fadi, a Greek Orthodox Arab who details a female suicide bomber placing herself next to a baby's pram before detonating her bomb - then reveals to us that this woman (apparently a laywer) had lost her cousin, her brother and her fiancee in Israeli army raids. Fadi doesn't judge, and we're left to ponder the impossible.
Elsewhere, things get a bit more mawkish, and the play fizzles out - predictably enough - with Nadia, a Bethleham housewife, finishing her cooking, waiting for her family and saying 'and I pray for peace.'
The resulting playtext is a mishmash of culinary delights, the humdrum verbiage of everyday speak, and accounts of violence on the horrifying scale that has become grimly familiar from this conflict.
A question, Mr Soans - given the locations of the interviews, why isn't your play entitled The Palestinian/Israeli Cookbook?
From the word go, the play is weighed down by a potentially disastrous high-concept and too-transparent purpose; here we are to see Palestinians and Israelis living their day by day existence in an appalling situation - the author's introduction, in the worthy tones that seem to come so easily to verbatim theatre, says 'I have given a voice to those whose opinion would not normally be heard.'
First point of interrogation, then: 'I have given a voice...' In selecting his perspective (as well as necessitating his material) Soans has developed an a-priori methodology which, whilst not presupposing the actual responses of his subjects, has carefully located the ways he will present, and we will receive his text. 'Hey, they're just like us! And they're just like each other! We all eat!'
It's not quite as spurious as that, and certainly the motive is not in itself a bad one; my issue is simply that the frank manipulation of form and perspective that runs as a hallmark through the work of so much verbatim theatre is never acknolwedged by the practitioners themselves - worse, as in this case, it's often wilfully obfuscated as they simper their alleigance to striving for 'the truth.'
Why this particular aspect of the conflict and not another? Why these particular people over others; why these of their words and not others? Why this subject at all; why the need to attempt to shine a new light (or some other cliche) on this conflict, and not another?
None of these questions are unanswerable, and the responses would, I believe, lend genuine weight to an apologie for Soans' brand of verbatim theatre - it's just that he doesn't answer them, and his works come sealed with a faintly self-righteous proclamation of 'veracity,' whereas his own function in selecting what is 'important' for us to know, and then editing the material he's solicited in forms which we, the audience, will be best affected by, bear closer resemblence to narrative traditions stemming from 'fiction' than they do to 'the truth.' And there's nothing wrong with this - so why doesn't he, and the others in his field, admit it?
Whilst, as a play, The Arab/Israeli Cookbook isn't particularly dreadful, it's nowhere near on a par with Talking To Terrorists or A State Affair, and has the added discomfort that one tends to get terribly, terribly hungry from the descriptions of food herein. The first half is fairly wilfully light; though there's a deeply disturbing section where an Israeli lady holding a dinner party is asked about her 'wonderful floor tiles', and she replies:
"They were pulling down an old Arab house down the road and I happened to be passing. I saw these beautiful floor tiles and asked if I could buy them... They said if I wanted them, I could have them, as long as I arranged to have them taken away."
This incident is not given particular emphasis, nor is it ever referred back to again, and I think it was this casual acknowledgement of the reductionist colonialism at work that set my back up. Later, in the second half, things take a turn for the worse, and accounts of bombngs, shootings and killings start filtering through the felafel and stuffed vine leaves.
One of the most thought-provoking moments comes from Fadi, a Greek Orthodox Arab who details a female suicide bomber placing herself next to a baby's pram before detonating her bomb - then reveals to us that this woman (apparently a laywer) had lost her cousin, her brother and her fiancee in Israeli army raids. Fadi doesn't judge, and we're left to ponder the impossible.
Elsewhere, things get a bit more mawkish, and the play fizzles out - predictably enough - with Nadia, a Bethleham housewife, finishing her cooking, waiting for her family and saying 'and I pray for peace.'
March 19, 2024
Wow!
I had no idea what to expect from this recipe book. This book!
I had not watched the docudrama that it is based on. The descriptions and the people’s experiences of being in Israel, and then the heartwarming recipes that come from such history.. Just wow!
Indulge your senses and embark on a culinary journey like no other with this remarkable recipe book!
From the moment you crack open its pages, you’re transported to the vibrant streets of Israel, where rich history and mouthwatering cuisine converge in a symphony of flavors and stories. I had travelled there many years ago and finally have the answer on how to replicate so many of tte dushes I had tried there!
Even if you haven’t seen the docudrama that inspired this culinary masterpiece, fear not, for every page is infused with the essence of Israel’s diverse culture and the heartfelt experiences of its people.
Each recipe is a treasure of tradition, offering a taste of the past while embracing the present.
And let’s not forget the stunning photos on every page, transporting you to bustling markets, cozy kitchens, and scenic landscapes.
My heartfelt thanks to Aurora Metro Books and Netgalley for granting me the privilege to savor this culinary gem.
Bon appétit!
Charlene 📚🤗🌸 @lastnownext
I had no idea what to expect from this recipe book. This book!
I had not watched the docudrama that it is based on. The descriptions and the people’s experiences of being in Israel, and then the heartwarming recipes that come from such history.. Just wow!
Indulge your senses and embark on a culinary journey like no other with this remarkable recipe book!
From the moment you crack open its pages, you’re transported to the vibrant streets of Israel, where rich history and mouthwatering cuisine converge in a symphony of flavors and stories. I had travelled there many years ago and finally have the answer on how to replicate so many of tte dushes I had tried there!
Even if you haven’t seen the docudrama that inspired this culinary masterpiece, fear not, for every page is infused with the essence of Israel’s diverse culture and the heartfelt experiences of its people.
Each recipe is a treasure of tradition, offering a taste of the past while embracing the present.
And let’s not forget the stunning photos on every page, transporting you to bustling markets, cozy kitchens, and scenic landscapes.
My heartfelt thanks to Aurora Metro Books and Netgalley for granting me the privilege to savor this culinary gem.
Bon appétit!
Charlene 📚🤗🌸 @lastnownext
March 9, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook is a well (and sensitively) written culturally diverse cookbook with recipes curated by Robin Soans. Originally published as a collection to go with the documentary series of the same name from 2005, this volume collects the actual recipes from the show. This reprint (due to the current political climate) from Aurora Metro Books is 96 pages and is available in paperback format.
The cultural aspects of hospitality, food, and gathering to eat together are so inextricably tied to our actual humanity that they can't be separated. Our climates, the areas we grow up, the foods which can be grown there, and how we gather to nourish ourselves are fundamental aspects of our existences. This book (and the associated TV series) are erudite and accessible, and important if we're ever going to move to a place of peace and stability.
It's well photographed throughout. This isn't an updated/new edition, and most of the photos are still shots from the original 2005 series. As such, they're somewhat dated. The recipes are all perfectly usable and accessible, but this is an indie published book which was originally to coordinate with a TV docudrama, and graphically, it looks like it. For what it's worth, in a lot of ways, aesthetically, it *adds* to the authenticity and vulnerability of the situation.These recipes, many of which are personal family recipes, are appealing on an emotional level.The story about a village hummus recipe, and the maker, is direct and honest and told well.
The included recipes, and they are myriad, are written cleanly and without embellishment. Recipe ingredients are written in a bullet list. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units, without metric equivalents. Most of the directions are written sequentially with conversational details added as asides. They're usable as they are, but are more like the result you'd get if you asked a family member for a traditional recipe from your own family than a polished commercially available recipe. Many of the ingredients will need to be sourced at international/Middle Eastern grocery stores or online.
Five stars. This would be a good choice for foodies, public and school library acquisition, and home use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook is a well (and sensitively) written culturally diverse cookbook with recipes curated by Robin Soans. Originally published as a collection to go with the documentary series of the same name from 2005, this volume collects the actual recipes from the show. This reprint (due to the current political climate) from Aurora Metro Books is 96 pages and is available in paperback format.
The cultural aspects of hospitality, food, and gathering to eat together are so inextricably tied to our actual humanity that they can't be separated. Our climates, the areas we grow up, the foods which can be grown there, and how we gather to nourish ourselves are fundamental aspects of our existences. This book (and the associated TV series) are erudite and accessible, and important if we're ever going to move to a place of peace and stability.
It's well photographed throughout. This isn't an updated/new edition, and most of the photos are still shots from the original 2005 series. As such, they're somewhat dated. The recipes are all perfectly usable and accessible, but this is an indie published book which was originally to coordinate with a TV docudrama, and graphically, it looks like it. For what it's worth, in a lot of ways, aesthetically, it *adds* to the authenticity and vulnerability of the situation.These recipes, many of which are personal family recipes, are appealing on an emotional level.The story about a village hummus recipe, and the maker, is direct and honest and told well.
The included recipes, and they are myriad, are written cleanly and without embellishment. Recipe ingredients are written in a bullet list. Measurements are given in imperial (American) units, without metric equivalents. Most of the directions are written sequentially with conversational details added as asides. They're usable as they are, but are more like the result you'd get if you asked a family member for a traditional recipe from your own family than a polished commercially available recipe. Many of the ingredients will need to be sourced at international/Middle Eastern grocery stores or online.
Five stars. This would be a good choice for foodies, public and school library acquisition, and home use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
April 29, 2024
There's something very poignant about reviewing 'The Arab-Israeli Cookbook' by Robin Soans (Aurora Metro, Sep 2005) during Pesach while the news is filled with the latest conflict. And yet, it's also precisely the right time for this small, gentle book.
I haven't seen the show that this book accompanies, and wouldn't have normally opted to read something that would likely heavily reference something I hadn't watched, but adding Claudia Roden's name to the cover cinched it, and I'm glad I took the chance.
This sits somewhere between a travelogue, a cookbook, and a series of mini autobiographies. The author's writing is comfortably reined in: you can feel the moments when Soans really wants to wax poetic but doesn't, and instead allows his interviewees' words to center his prose. It strikes the right balance, I think; given a larger canvas, perhaps his prose would have become overbearing, but tightly wrapped around descriptions of people, locations, and tastes, the relative restraint works.
As a travelogue, it's very brief, but edited skillfully - each little snippet brings you into a home, or a restaurant, or a not-quite-tent, and into a place that for many feels distant and unknowable.
The interviewees are a diverse as the reality of this restive slip of earth: the observant Muslim who smokes, the gay couple who host Shabbat, the Amazigh partiarch who longs for the pastoral freedom that the current situation can't allow. And between the hurt and the worry, you get a glimpse of the reality: of the everyday people, Arab and Jewish, observant and atheist, who just do their best to coexist in an increasingly fragile peace.
As a cookbook, it's somewhat niche: these are recipes as told by the cooks, and so some feed 400, some are from a restaurant, and some are from home. A confident cook will find lots here to enjoy, and have no trouble adapting the recipes to their needs. I certainly wouldn't recommend most of the recipes for anyone new to cooking or not used to tasting, adjusting, and making a recipe their own, but those that do will find plenty of inspiration.
This is a lovely little book, and a balanced representation of society & politics, which doesn't try to reach beyond presenting the interviewees as genuine, warm, and real. Very much worth the read.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC for my unbiased review.
I haven't seen the show that this book accompanies, and wouldn't have normally opted to read something that would likely heavily reference something I hadn't watched, but adding Claudia Roden's name to the cover cinched it, and I'm glad I took the chance.
This sits somewhere between a travelogue, a cookbook, and a series of mini autobiographies. The author's writing is comfortably reined in: you can feel the moments when Soans really wants to wax poetic but doesn't, and instead allows his interviewees' words to center his prose. It strikes the right balance, I think; given a larger canvas, perhaps his prose would have become overbearing, but tightly wrapped around descriptions of people, locations, and tastes, the relative restraint works.
As a travelogue, it's very brief, but edited skillfully - each little snippet brings you into a home, or a restaurant, or a not-quite-tent, and into a place that for many feels distant and unknowable.
The interviewees are a diverse as the reality of this restive slip of earth: the observant Muslim who smokes, the gay couple who host Shabbat, the Amazigh partiarch who longs for the pastoral freedom that the current situation can't allow. And between the hurt and the worry, you get a glimpse of the reality: of the everyday people, Arab and Jewish, observant and atheist, who just do their best to coexist in an increasingly fragile peace.
As a cookbook, it's somewhat niche: these are recipes as told by the cooks, and so some feed 400, some are from a restaurant, and some are from home. A confident cook will find lots here to enjoy, and have no trouble adapting the recipes to their needs. I certainly wouldn't recommend most of the recipes for anyone new to cooking or not used to tasting, adjusting, and making a recipe their own, but those that do will find plenty of inspiration.
This is a lovely little book, and a balanced representation of society & politics, which doesn't try to reach beyond presenting the interviewees as genuine, warm, and real. Very much worth the read.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC for my unbiased review.
October 12, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook by Robin Soans and Claudia Roden is a unique and evocative work that transcends the boundaries of a traditional cookbook. This book is a rich tapestry of recipes, personal stories, and cultural insights, offering readers a profound glimpse into the lives of those living amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The book is structured around a series of interviews conducted by Soans, a playwright known for his verbatim theatre, and Roden, a celebrated food writer. They traveled to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, collecting recipes and stories from a diverse array of individuals.
The recipes in The Arab-Israeli Cookbook are as varied and vibrant as the region itself. From traditional Palestinian dishes like Maqluba (a savory rice and vegetable dish) to Israeli favorites such as Shakshuka (eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce), the cookbook offers a wide array of flavors and techniques.
What sets this book apart is its ability to weave together food and personal narratives. The interviews reveal the everyday realities of life in a conflict zone, from the challenges of sourcing ingredients to the role of food in maintaining cultural identity and fostering community.
The writing is both engaging and informative, striking a balance between the technical aspects of cooking and the emotional weight of the stories shared.
Themes: The Arab-Israeli Cookbook explores themes of resilience, identity, and the power of food to bridge divides. It underscores the idea that, despite political and social tensions, the act of sharing a meal can foster understanding and connection.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes; it is a poignant exploration of culture, conflict, and the unifying power of food. Robin Soans and Claudia Roden have created a work that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of food and culture.
Highly recommended for readers who appreciate culinary narratives that offer a window into the human experience.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook by Robin Soans and Claudia Roden is a unique and evocative work that transcends the boundaries of a traditional cookbook. This book is a rich tapestry of recipes, personal stories, and cultural insights, offering readers a profound glimpse into the lives of those living amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The book is structured around a series of interviews conducted by Soans, a playwright known for his verbatim theatre, and Roden, a celebrated food writer. They traveled to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, collecting recipes and stories from a diverse array of individuals.
The recipes in The Arab-Israeli Cookbook are as varied and vibrant as the region itself. From traditional Palestinian dishes like Maqluba (a savory rice and vegetable dish) to Israeli favorites such as Shakshuka (eggs poached in a spicy tomato sauce), the cookbook offers a wide array of flavors and techniques.
What sets this book apart is its ability to weave together food and personal narratives. The interviews reveal the everyday realities of life in a conflict zone, from the challenges of sourcing ingredients to the role of food in maintaining cultural identity and fostering community.
The writing is both engaging and informative, striking a balance between the technical aspects of cooking and the emotional weight of the stories shared.
Themes: The Arab-Israeli Cookbook explores themes of resilience, identity, and the power of food to bridge divides. It underscores the idea that, despite political and social tensions, the act of sharing a meal can foster understanding and connection.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes; it is a poignant exploration of culture, conflict, and the unifying power of food. Robin Soans and Claudia Roden have created a work that is both thought-provoking and deeply moving, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of food and culture.
Highly recommended for readers who appreciate culinary narratives that offer a window into the human experience.
March 14, 2024
With the latest problems in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine, most of us are curious about the people in these countries. Robin Soans interviewed dozens of residents of these areas in 2004, and released them in a popular docudrama. That’s why the book containing the recipes from the docudrama, The Arab-Israeli Cookbook - recipes: The Recipes, has been re-released and is enjoying a new surge of readers and cooks. This cookbook, while only 96 pages, is fascinating, and contains not only the recipes of those interviewed, but also glimpses into their lifestyles and what it is like to live there.
The recipes are very appealing, and readers will definitely want to prepare them at home. It may necessitate a trip to a Middle Eastern grocery store, but it will be worth it. Many of the ingredients are actually available in larger grocery stores nowadays, however. The recipes are easy to follow and are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions. The recipes range from an incredibly delicious Fattoush, to Falafel, to Borekas, to chicken and beef dishes (a recipe for Goat’s Testicles is also included, but most of us won’t be interested). There are also some mouthwatering desserts that are definitely worth making. Another plus to the cookbook is that there are photographs, beautiful professional photographs of the recipes and of the people.
All told, this is an interesting study of the people and culture of Israel and Palestine. It is fascinating to read and fun to cook from.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
The recipes are very appealing, and readers will definitely want to prepare them at home. It may necessitate a trip to a Middle Eastern grocery store, but it will be worth it. Many of the ingredients are actually available in larger grocery stores nowadays, however. The recipes are easy to follow and are written in the traditional manner with the ingredients listed first, followed by step-by-step instructions. The recipes range from an incredibly delicious Fattoush, to Falafel, to Borekas, to chicken and beef dishes (a recipe for Goat’s Testicles is also included, but most of us won’t be interested). There are also some mouthwatering desserts that are definitely worth making. Another plus to the cookbook is that there are photographs, beautiful professional photographs of the recipes and of the people.
All told, this is an interesting study of the people and culture of Israel and Palestine. It is fascinating to read and fun to cook from.
Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.
May 5, 2021
I love the concept of this play--bringing together the real-life voices of real-life Israelis and Palestinians who share common food despite years of distrust and animosity from years of conflicts. The concept is similar to Anna Deavere Smith's works like "Twilight" and "Fires in the Mirror" in that the playwright interviewed many people whose "voices would not normally be heard" on the subject of Mideast relations--from a bus driver to a graduate student to a grandmother --and weavest together their stories to show how misunderstandings and suspicions have surfaced between the groups despite many unifying aspects of identity--especially a shared cuisine that has grown out of their inhabiting the same land and similar cultures. While I really appreciated hearing all of these stories, this play was harder to read on the page when I knew the performance of it--with the cooking happening during the performance--would give it much vitality. My mom saw it in Canada and expressed how much that element contributed to the play's power. With just the text, some of the characters were harder to keep straight and the words had less impact for me. Still, the play is filled with powerful monologues, including the last one, by the grandmother Nadia who says, "I light a candle, which burns during the day, and in the evening I burn a small olive oil lamp. And I pray at the table. I pray for my family, and I pray for peace." We all should pray for peace.
August 17, 2024
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook by Robin Soans and Claudia Roden is a beautifully presented collection of recipes that feels like a comforting journey through everyday kitchens. This cookbook is unique because it features recipes from ordinary people, bringing an authentic and homey touch to the pages.
Many recipes in The Arab-Israeli Cookbook took me back to my childhood, evoking the comforting aroma of the dishes my Egyptian-born grandmother used to make. It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, a journey that I'm sure many readers will find themselves on. The book's user-friendly nature, with its easy-to-follow instructions and use of everyday ingredients, makes it accessible for beginner cooks, instilling a sense of confidence that they, too, can recreate these dishes at home.
I particularly loved the personal stories and tidbits shared by the people the authors interviewed to gather these recipes. This adds a warm, everyday feel to the book, making it more than just a collection of recipes but also a celebration of shared culinary heritage.
I highly recommend this cookbook to novice cooks looking to expand their repertoire of home-cooked meals.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aurora Metro Publishing for gifting me the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
#TheArabIsraeliCookbookrecipes #NetGalley.
Many recipes in The Arab-Israeli Cookbook took me back to my childhood, evoking the comforting aroma of the dishes my Egyptian-born grandmother used to make. It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, a journey that I'm sure many readers will find themselves on. The book's user-friendly nature, with its easy-to-follow instructions and use of everyday ingredients, makes it accessible for beginner cooks, instilling a sense of confidence that they, too, can recreate these dishes at home.
I particularly loved the personal stories and tidbits shared by the people the authors interviewed to gather these recipes. This adds a warm, everyday feel to the book, making it more than just a collection of recipes but also a celebration of shared culinary heritage.
I highly recommend this cookbook to novice cooks looking to expand their repertoire of home-cooked meals.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aurora Metro Publishing for gifting me the e-book in exchange for an honest review.
#TheArabIsraeliCookbookrecipes #NetGalley.
September 14, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So, I’m a little confused. I found this on Netgalley, presumably as a book that was being published either very soon or very recently, only to find out it was published in 2004 after trying to log it into my Storygraph. I’m not sure why this was added into the log of current books, but I guess I’m not complaining, because a lot of the recipes are pretty good and I’m looking forward to trying some of them.
I’m an Ashkenazi Jew but I really enjoy Israeli and Arab food, so this was right up my alley. Recipes I’ll actually cook, for food that I actually eat on a regular basis? Sign me up! But that’s about as far as it goes. The book itself felt oddly incomplete in that the recipes were relatively undetailed, some including the ingredients and no further instructions; none of the pictures had subheadings telling you what the dishes featured were, and overall there was a lot of empty and underutilized page space. For a few of the recipes there were tidbits and stories to go along with them, but they were rare and it felt rather lacking in the end. It’s not a bad cookbook by any means, but it feels a little rushed—and considering it’s an accompanying cookbook to the actual book (play?), that makes sense. It’s nothing awful. It just felt a bit lacking.
So, I’m a little confused. I found this on Netgalley, presumably as a book that was being published either very soon or very recently, only to find out it was published in 2004 after trying to log it into my Storygraph. I’m not sure why this was added into the log of current books, but I guess I’m not complaining, because a lot of the recipes are pretty good and I’m looking forward to trying some of them.
I’m an Ashkenazi Jew but I really enjoy Israeli and Arab food, so this was right up my alley. Recipes I’ll actually cook, for food that I actually eat on a regular basis? Sign me up! But that’s about as far as it goes. The book itself felt oddly incomplete in that the recipes were relatively undetailed, some including the ingredients and no further instructions; none of the pictures had subheadings telling you what the dishes featured were, and overall there was a lot of empty and underutilized page space. For a few of the recipes there were tidbits and stories to go along with them, but they were rare and it felt rather lacking in the end. It’s not a bad cookbook by any means, but it feels a little rushed—and considering it’s an accompanying cookbook to the actual book (play?), that makes sense. It’s nothing awful. It just felt a bit lacking.
January 27, 2025
Reading this book at this time seems like a commitment to something important.
“Our host Dinu is a photographer who was born in Romania…His greatest fear is that the terrorists will perpetrate a large scale act of carnage… “It would be a terrible mistake,” he said, “because it would trigger the sort of response that would make everything so far look like a joke.” “
The prescience of this quote is chilling considering the last 15 months.
This book doesn’t aim to take sides, merely to show them through the unifying and universal theme of food. As the author states, these aren’t recipes that will earn Michelin stars but they are authentic and humanise the misinformation we are constantly fed about this region. These are real people trying to live their lives and feed their families.
If you are looking for a coffee table book, this isn’t it. The production values are low and won’t satisfy the Taschen crowd at all. However if you are more like me, drawn to cookery books with a narrative and where you learn something about the writer and the subject as well as the recipes, this makes a very interesting read.
“Our host Dinu is a photographer who was born in Romania…His greatest fear is that the terrorists will perpetrate a large scale act of carnage… “It would be a terrible mistake,” he said, “because it would trigger the sort of response that would make everything so far look like a joke.” “
The prescience of this quote is chilling considering the last 15 months.
This book doesn’t aim to take sides, merely to show them through the unifying and universal theme of food. As the author states, these aren’t recipes that will earn Michelin stars but they are authentic and humanise the misinformation we are constantly fed about this region. These are real people trying to live their lives and feed their families.
If you are looking for a coffee table book, this isn’t it. The production values are low and won’t satisfy the Taschen crowd at all. However if you are more like me, drawn to cookery books with a narrative and where you learn something about the writer and the subject as well as the recipes, this makes a very interesting read.
March 30, 2024
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook features recipes, interviews, and history. There are photos of the food and people in their daily life. The cookbook is written in a very storyline way with the different inclusions of photos and quotes.
The sections are breakfasts, light meals, main courses, desserts, and dairy. The recipes are incorporated from different groups of people, so it is a good combination of a bunch of different peoples recipes which is nice. Due to this some recipes have the ingredients listed without specific measurement while others do have measurements.
The history and interviews of the cookbook have a bigger presence than the recipes in some of the sections. The metric system is the International System of Units (SI), so that is something to take note of. Overall, there are a lot of recipes I have not tried before so it will be very interesting to cook some.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The sections are breakfasts, light meals, main courses, desserts, and dairy. The recipes are incorporated from different groups of people, so it is a good combination of a bunch of different peoples recipes which is nice. Due to this some recipes have the ingredients listed without specific measurement while others do have measurements.
The history and interviews of the cookbook have a bigger presence than the recipes in some of the sections. The metric system is the International System of Units (SI), so that is something to take note of. Overall, there are a lot of recipes I have not tried before so it will be very interesting to cook some.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2024
Robin Soans, a British actor and playwright, brings a unique perspective to the culinary world with The Arab-Israeli Cookbook. Initially, I believed this was a new publication, given its relevance to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, I discovered it was originally published in 2005. Despite the years that have passed, the themes of the book remain timely, making it well worth revisiting today.
What sets this cookbook apart is its blend of authentic recipes and the compelling stories behind them. Soans doesn't just share recipes; he shares the lives of the people he dined with and learned from during his travels. The book features a diverse array of dishes, not limited to Palestinian and Israeli cuisine but encompassing a broad spectrum of Arabic and Middle Eastern flavors that have delighted generations.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What sets this cookbook apart is its blend of authentic recipes and the compelling stories behind them. Soans doesn't just share recipes; he shares the lives of the people he dined with and learned from during his travels. The book features a diverse array of dishes, not limited to Palestinian and Israeli cuisine but encompassing a broad spectrum of Arabic and Middle Eastern flavors that have delighted generations.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2024
I was extended a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Part political essay, part cookbook, party travel journal. This work is beautiful and meaningful. The author touches on both sides of the conflict in a way that shows the humanity in both sides. The food is presented as a bridge. I was marked by the stories of having to be constantly vigilant in moving about in everyday life. Also, learning about how different people lived in the areas explored expanded my worldview that much more. The recipes sound wonderful, but due to some not containing measurements (even attempting) or timings, as well as some not including temps for the American user (one could overcome this with google, admittedly), I may not make any of the recipes. The book was a tremendous and valuable work for our time.
March 10, 2025
I read a lot of cookbooks and they are quite similar in nature. Recipes with step by step directions. Some may have stories, others, have pictures, but they all have that one unique quality about them. In the Arab-Israeli Cookbook we get unique pictures of every day people who offered up unique recipes for this cookbook. Where I’m confused is some recipes have step by step instructions, where others have none. I’m not the kind of cook who can wing my cooking and it turn out ok. I need those directions to help guide me, even for something simple like a dressing. Otherwise this is a cookbook I will use quite often thanks to the recipes approachability and every day dishes.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this cookbook in lieu of my honest opinions.
#TheArabIsraeliCookbookrecipes #NetGalley
June 14, 2024
I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
This is a wonderful cookbook, filled with recipes, stories, and photos of the people who share meals with the author. What a treat. There are lots of delicious recipes for food I know I enjoy, but haven't had a reliable recipe to work from until now. There are breakfasts, snacks, mains, and sweets that you can try at home. Most ingredients needed are relatively easy to find in grocery stores and specialty shops, and the recipes are easy to follow.
Definitely check this book if you'd like to expand your culinary repertoire!
This is a wonderful cookbook, filled with recipes, stories, and photos of the people who share meals with the author. What a treat. There are lots of delicious recipes for food I know I enjoy, but haven't had a reliable recipe to work from until now. There are breakfasts, snacks, mains, and sweets that you can try at home. Most ingredients needed are relatively easy to find in grocery stores and specialty shops, and the recipes are easy to follow.
Definitely check this book if you'd like to expand your culinary repertoire!
April 3, 2025
This is a very nice cookbook with recipes for every occasion. I think that some of the meals are very suitable for everyday use and even for the office as they can be prepared in advance.
The book contains recipes for breakfast (which was my favorite category), light meals - like snacks and salads, main courses with meat, fish and veggies, desserts (the honey cake looks very good) and drinks. There are even some curiosities mentioned, goat‘s testicles for example.
What I also liked is the anecdote about a visit to a bedouin.
I think the pictures could be nicer, but I will definitely try some of the recipes.
The book contains recipes for breakfast (which was my favorite category), light meals - like snacks and salads, main courses with meat, fish and veggies, desserts (the honey cake looks very good) and drinks. There are even some curiosities mentioned, goat‘s testicles for example.
What I also liked is the anecdote about a visit to a bedouin.
I think the pictures could be nicer, but I will definitely try some of the recipes.
May 12, 2025
This is a fascinating book. I love to cook and bake foods from all nationalities and countries. From Breakfast
with Nina’s Breakfast, Light meals with Tahini Dip, Main Course with Noah’s Goulash and all the delicious desserts, there is something that will please anyone’s pallet. The beginning tells why the book was written and the back has a short diary followed by an index. For the beginner cook and baker to the experienced this book is a great addition to any cookbook collection. The photos are mouthwatering and the recipes are well written and easy to follow.
with Nina’s Breakfast, Light meals with Tahini Dip, Main Course with Noah’s Goulash and all the delicious desserts, there is something that will please anyone’s pallet. The beginning tells why the book was written and the back has a short diary followed by an index. For the beginner cook and baker to the experienced this book is a great addition to any cookbook collection. The photos are mouthwatering and the recipes are well written and easy to follow.
March 24, 2024
Such a great handy cookbook!! I am so glad I found this Arab-Israeli cookbook with plenty of yummy recipes to choose from. I, for one really appreciates different types of cuisine to make for my family. This particular book has a blend of tasty dishes to experience and share among groups of people. I highly recommend this cookbook, for it presents s combination of hearty meals.snacks and appetizers for all kinds of gatherings.
March 5, 2025
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook recipes by Robin Soans and Claudia Roden I really enjoy creating and trying new food from around the world, it was a treasure to read and create some new dishes. However, this book maybe small but it was packed with beautiful photos, how to create great dishes and the best of all feature was people’s experiences of being in Israel and its history.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook recipes would make a perfect gift for someone special.
The Arab-Israeli Cookbook recipes would make a perfect gift for someone special.
March 10, 2024
This is a book that was published some time ago and is more interesting to read than to use as a cookbook. American readers will have trouble following recipes in the metric system and with some of the terms for the ingredients. But there is no doubt that this is a timely topic so many will want to take a look.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's relevant.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's relevant.
April 1, 2024
This is a wonderful book full of stories to go with each recipe. I love learning about new cultures and thoroughly enjoyed reading this cookbook. (yes I read cookbooks). There are so many wonderful sounding recipes to try here, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between. I will enjoy cooking my way through this book.
June 2, 2024
Possibly a little unfair to review this book twenty odd years after its publication. This book was written before Ottelengification and before Sabrina Gayhour. The recipes seem somewhat dated and simple. Perhaps a tuna melt was “authentic” to that household but not really something I want to find in an Israeli/Arab cookbook.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
December 9, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The photographs in this book, on the scenery, food and people, are beautiful. It shows a great blending of the two cultures and is split up in a great way with breakfast, light meals, main courses and desserts all having their own chapter. The recipes themselves are easy enough to follow as well.
April 19, 2026
A thoughtful and culturally rich cookbook that blends recipes with meaningful stories and history. The recipes feel authentic and personal, even if the format is a bit less polished than modern cookbooks.
I appreciated the focus on food as a way to connect people and preserve tradition. A great read for anyone interested in culture, history, and global cuisine.
I appreciated the focus on food as a way to connect people and preserve tradition. A great read for anyone interested in culture, history, and global cuisine.
June 17, 2024
What a wonderful book full of tasty recipes and photos. I loved the stories about the people who shared the recipes with the author. Highly recommend for any one who loves middle eastern food. Thanks to Aurora Metro and Netgalley for this review copy.
August 20, 2024
Poignant and touching book with accessible recipes provided by people from Israel and Palestine with short interviews accompanying each recipe. Really memorable and I've already made 2 recipes successfully.
Arc provided by NetGalley
Arc provided by NetGalley
December 10, 2024
Very interesting and insightful with recipes, images and stories.
October 2, 2021
This was my first encounter with verbatim theater and it is absolutely gorgeous - the perfect form for this content. The humanization of each of these characters on both sides of a centuries old conflict, centered around the meals they prepare and share with loved ones, is so intimate and so profound. It surfaces something I've often struggled with and have come to believe is true: there are no victors in war. For me, the central theme of the play is summed up in these words from Fadi, a young Arab man: "I think the enemy is this huge accumulation of hatred that both sides have for each other, which has built up over the years and now hangs above us all. It's never a person. . .it's not him or her. . .it's what him or her have been handed down from this monster in the sky. That's what an accumulation of violence does. . .it dehumanizes a whole society, even though it's composed of millions of individuals with individual thoughts, personalities, hopes, fears. . .everyone is tarred with the same brush. My struggle in life will be to humanize myself again to other people, because that's the only way forward."
December 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Aurora Metro Press for an ARC of this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The photography in the cookbook is gorgeous, and I love that it shows how beautiful life is. I enjoyed the faded Polaroid feel of them.
The recipes were simple and healthy, but incredibly flavorful. I have quite a few added to my list of things to make soon. They are very authentic as well.
Most of the ingredients are fairly easy to get, and so many recipes use fresh produce. Many of the recipes would be wonderful for vegans and vegetarians, and gluten free folks too.
This is a cookbook that I would love to keep in my collection, and I think I would use it often. It would be a great gift for someone at any level of cooking skill.
The photography in the cookbook is gorgeous, and I love that it shows how beautiful life is. I enjoyed the faded Polaroid feel of them.
The recipes were simple and healthy, but incredibly flavorful. I have quite a few added to my list of things to make soon. They are very authentic as well.
Most of the ingredients are fairly easy to get, and so many recipes use fresh produce. Many of the recipes would be wonderful for vegans and vegetarians, and gluten free folks too.
This is a cookbook that I would love to keep in my collection, and I think I would use it often. It would be a great gift for someone at any level of cooking skill.
April 12, 2012
Mixed feelings - it's a good play, but at the same time, one feels like it's rather unfocused and unserious. Most of the food featured in it isn't really Arab or Israeli, it's just regular food that you can buy almost anywhere - falafel, hummus, stuffed zucchini, olives, wine - I don't know, was that the point?
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