“We may have become aware of the idea of comfort food and comfort eating only in the last couple of decades, but we have of course been cooking it for millennia: for the most part it comprises the default dishes prepared by those who need a reminder of home, a culinary hug.”
—From New Middle Eastern Street Food
In this whirlwind of a cookbook. Sally Butcher, the London-based food writer, and owner of the popular Persian deli Persepolis, whisks the reader to Snackistan, an imaginary place where every belly is always full but ready for
. In this popular title, reissued in 2023 to commemorate its 10th anniversary. Butcher has opted to include a solid mix of recipes from across the region in varying levels of difficulty. The humbler cook may opt to start slowly with street veggies (boiled beets, turnips, corn-on-the-cob and broad beans) or sweet tabbouleh salad. At the same time, for those wanting a challenge, Butcher has more complicated recipes to make Kibbeh, the classic Iraqi street food. or the beloved Egyptian dessert, Ali's Mother's Pudding. With something for everyone, if you missed this book a decade ago, be sure to remedy that mistake immediately. Your taste buds will thank you.