The Great British Bake Off Winner Nadiya Hussain Gathers Global Recipes in Culinary Celebration of Ramadan

Hussain’s diverse food choices celebrate often overlooked culinary gems, delighting readers with a rich tapestry of flavors. From Southeast Asian vegetarian dishes to North African steamed dough and pan-Arab classics, the recipes highlight the global unity of Muslim cultures and cuisines.

Hussain, a television personality and food columnist, saw her career skyrocket overnight after winning The Great British Bake Off in 2015. Since then, she has consistently challenged cultural stereotypes, using food as a bridge to connect communities. In Rooza, she invites readers to experience the richness of Muslim cultures through meals enjoyed in restaurants, at home and at festive gatherings, whether in Asia, Europe or Africa. Drawing on her Muslim upbringing, Hussain embraces foods in a variety of settings, much like other cultures do. Her message resonates deeply, thanks to this simple yet organic approach.

Hussain shares dishes that reflect her love for international cuisine, as she notes in the book’s introduction. Some recipes were inspired by friends and neighbors, while others were discovered through her travels. Either way, each dish carries a story, making the cookbook a personal and global journey.

Unlike her previous works, which cater to busy families with quick-meal ideas, Rooza invites readers to slow down and savor the traditions behind each meal. Hussain encourages taking time to enjoy thoughtfully paired dishes in the company of loved ones. This shift in pace highlights the cultural and emotional significance of shared meals.

Rooza’s exploration of lesser-known cuisines from around the world sets it apart, offering a refreshing departure from cookbooks that focus on a single nation or culture. From Mauritius’s fish rouguaill (fish curry) to Cambodia’s sweet nam van noodles and Libya’s crisp diblah dessert, the book presents a wide variety of flavors that celebrate the richness of global Muslim culinary traditions.

Cookbook aficionados will appreciate that Hussain has opted to arrange chapters according to country rather than by meal categories. Unlike other Ramadan cookbooks that emphasize suhoor, the morning pre-sunrise meal, Hussain shifts the focus entirely to evening main courses and desserts for breaking the daily fast. This thoughtful structure invites readers to dive straight into dishes that best capture the culinary essence of each country.

Through stunning photographs of plates set against jewel-toned backdrops and bathed in incandescent lighting, Rooza masterfully evokes a heritage esthetic, perfectly capturing the ambience of post-sunset Ramadan mealtimes.