New Middle Eastern Street Food: Snacks, Comfort Food and Mezze From Snackistan


Dianna Wray

​Sally Butcher.

Interlink Books, 2023.

“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 another classic Middle Eastern snack. 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.

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