A dazzling cookbook with vibrant recipes captivating stories and stunning photography from Palestine A moving hugely knowledgeable and utterly delicious book Anthony BourdainA big bowlfull of delicious Palestinian recipes plus lots of insightful and moving stories... Great stuff Yotam OttolenghiA zingingly evocative collection of personal stories... Calling it a cookbook does it a disservice. Zaitoun deserves to be read as much as cooked from Observer Food Monthly Bursting with the freshness and brightness that is characteristic of all Levantine cuisine Palestinian food is fragrant healthy and delicious. From a colourful array of bountiful mezze dishes to rich slowcooked stews flavoured with aromatic spice blends its a cuisine that represents the very best of modern Middle Eastern cookery.In this beautiful Palestinian cookbook food writer Yasmin Khan shares recipes and stories from her travels through the region. On her journey she harvests black olives from the groves of Burquin in the West Bank handrolls maftool the plump Palestinian couscous in home kitchens in Jenin and even finds time to enjoy a pint with workers at the Taybeh brewery which is producing the first Palestinian craft beer. As she feasts and cooks with Palestinians of all ages and backgrounds she learns about the realities of their everyday lives.Zaitoun includes herbfilled salads quick pickles fragrant soups tender roasted meats and rich desserts and has a special focus on vegetarian versions of Palestinian classics. It has recipes for olive fig and honey tapenade roast chicken stuffed with pine nuts and raisins and pomegranate passion cake among many others. And surrounding the recipes there is a chorus of stories from those who love live and cook with Palestine in their hearts.