Eat Small Plates - by Ben Siman-Tov & Zikki Siman-Tov (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A collection of dishes inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking"--

Book Synopsis

The dynamic couple behind @BenGingi share their favorite mix-and-match-ready recipes for effortless everyday dining and easy hosting

From a serendipitous meeting on a street corner in a tiny town in the Italian Alps to their food studio at the heart of the East Village in New York City, Ben and Zikki have been on a culinary adventure since the very moment they met. Ben's first gift to Zikki? A half loaf of beetroot sourdough. And their first date? Zikki taught Ben to make potato varenyky, secretly prepping him to help her make 1,000 for an event the following week!

These days, with not a moment to spare, they happily host friends and family and run a sought-after catering business in New York City. Their debut cookbook, Eat Small Plates, is an ode to a style of eating at the heart of their lived experiences together: traveling, creating a family, and building beautiful lasting friendships wherever a meal can be shared. Here, they offer their favorite small plate recipes for greater joy and connection every day.

Ben's knack for vibrant Israeli flavors and Zikki's passion for shareable, soul-warming Ukrainian-inspired dishes combine in Eat Small Plates to create bold and exciting recipes for every dinner or gathering. With favorites such as Ben's freshly baked Pita, Zikki's crunchy chopped Jeweled Celery Salad, and creamy Cashew Basil dip, this ultimate hosting cheat sheet helps home cooks transform simple ingredients into beautiful, intentional dishes. Ben and Zikki share essential cooking techniques--from charring an eggplant to incorporating pickling into your daily routine--and even tips for those who don't want to cook at all (but still want to host!). This book is a celebration of the feast-ready lifestyle, and a guide to spreading love through food.

Review Quotes

"There is nothing small about Ben and Zikki. Their table is full to the brim with the great gestures that make hospitality the most generous of human activities. I love their attitude, I love their style, I love their smiles, and I LOVE their pita." --Yotam Ottolenghi

"This book is your ultimate guide to hosting unforgettable gatherings with delicious food. Ben and Zikki bring together years of expertise in creating memorable events, along with a lifetime of layered flavors and incredible recipes. It is a treasure for anyone looking to elevate their cooking, baking, or hosting. A perfect gift for anyone who loves entertaining and experimenting with a variety of flavors!" --Betül Tunç, New York Times bestselling author of Turkuaz Kitchen

"Everyone knows that Zikki is Ben's better half, except when it comes to pita. Their food makes my belly feel warm and fuzzy. YASSS!!" --Benny Blanco, New York Times bestselling author of Open Wide

"Never has there been such an iconic, thoughtful, and delicious debut cookbook since my own! What a privilege it is to get to witness Ben and Zikki take over the food world!" --Jake Cohen, New York Times bestselling author of Jew-ish and I Could Nosh

"'Small plates, big hearts' could easily be an alternate title for this ebullient, gorgeous, and delicious book. Ben and Zikki's food radiates love, generosity, and good taste, infused with the unique fusion of cultures that makes them and their cooking so special." --Adeena Sussman, New York Times bestselling author of Shabbat

"I so admire Ben's expert but loving approach to food. His and Zikki's first cookbook is a love letter to joyful Israeli cooking everywhere, with beautiful recipes for the whole family." --Michael Solomonov, chef and co-owner of Zahav

"If you want to master the art of hosting; make everyone feel welcome at your table; and impress your guests with homemade dips, breads, salads, desserts and beyond, Ben and Zikki created the perfect cheat sheet for us. Eat Small Plates is here to shape the way we host and dine with a collection of incredibly fresh and vibrant dishes." --Carolina Gelen, New York Times bestselling author of Pass the Plate

"These two! Incredible people and cooks by themselves but absolutely deadly as a team...so stoked to cook from this one." --Brad Leone, New York Times bestselling author of Field Notes for Food Adventures

"Hosting a dinner party can be overwhelming, even for an experienced chef. This is the kind of food you want at your next gathering--fun, interesting, and all conversation starters. You can't help but smile after picking up and flipping through this book." --Joe Sasto, chef and Food Network Star

About the Author

Ben Siman-Tov is a baker, chef, and the creator of @BenGingi, where he teaches his followers how to master even the most complex treats at home. With a wealth of experience in hospitality and gastronomy, Ben has trained under industry leaders such as Eyal Shani and Erez Komarovsky. Originally from Rehovot, Israel, Ben moved to the United States during COVID to start his life with his wife and culinary partner, Zikki, in New York City.

Zikki Siman-Tov, a born and raised New Yorker, is chef and co-owner of Eat Small Plates, a successful catering company in New York City serving a wide variety of events, from intimate weddings and festive gatherings to large-scale corporate functions. After launching their business from the East Village in New York City, Ben and Zikki moved to the countryside to expand their space and now live with their daughter, Tami, and their Frenchie, Olivia, in North Jersey.