The Arabesque Table - by Reem Kassis (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

'The Arabesque Table is full to the brim with dishes which are rooted in tradition and at the same time creatively (and deliciously!) transcend it. It is wonderful!' - Yotam Ottolenghi

'Refreshing is ... the best word to describe Ms. Kassis's book ... The Arabesque Table zooms out, examining both the history and the evolution of Arab dishes, suggesting another, richer approach to understanding food.' - Wall Street Journal

Much-loved author and James Beard nominee Reem Kassis presents an acclaimed and unique collection of original contemporary recipes tracing the rich history of Arab cuisine.

The Arabesque Table takes inspiration from the traditional food of the Arab world, weaving Reem Kassis's historic research and cultural knowledge with her contemporary interpretations of an ancient, remarkably diverse cuisine.

In her personal, engaging voice, Reem bridges past and present to open up the world of Arabic cooking today, showcasing a mosaic of 130 delicious, accessible home recipes. Organized by primary ingredient, the recipes and vivid photographs bring the dishes to life while her narrative offers not only a sense of taste, but a sense of time and place as well.

More than just a compilation of modern Arabic recipes, The Arabesque Table celebrates the evolution of Arab cuisine and the stories of cross-cultural connection it recounts, paying tribute to the history and journey that have led to this point.

With the past on full display in this intensively researched and exciting book, you will find dishes from the Golden Age of Islam: such as Narjissiya (a fava bean and egg hash) and Makmoora (a layered chicken, onion and pine nut pot pie), as well as contemporary and globally inspired interpretations: such as Tahini Cheesecake and Caramelized Butternut Squash Fatteh with Za'atar, revealing a cuisine that is vibrant, nourishing, and exciting, but above all, reminding us of how powerful food is in defining the relationship between people, place and identity.

Review Quotes

As featured in the Guardian, The Observer Food Monthly, The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic

New York Times Best Cookbooks of 2021, from NYT Cooking Family

'The Arabesque Table is full to the brim with dishes which are rooted in tradition and at the same time creatively (and deliciously!) transcend it. It is wonderful!' - Yotam Ottolenghi

'A dazzling set of recipes.' - Nigel Slater

'Expands the focus to the cross-cultural culinary history of the Arab world.' - NPR Fresh Air

'Reem Kassis's cookbooks tells of her Palestinian family, while giving a modern twist to such dishes as fatteh, lentil soup and pistachio cake.' - Observer Food Monthly

'Reem Kassis's latest book weaves together history, memoir and recipes to bring the diverse food cultures of the contemporary Arab world to life.' - National Geographic Traveller FOOD

'130 historically-traced, contemporary recipes from the Arab culture, beautifully bolstered with personal anecdotes and a fusing of the past and present.' - Forbes

'This book is as historically informative as it is useful for recipe inspiration... If hospitality is about creating memories and stories, there are enough tales in here to keep readers entertained and educated.' - The Caterer

About the Author

Reem Kassis is a Palestinian writer whose work focuses on the intersection of food with culture, history, and politics. She is the author of Phaidon's acclaimed cookbook The Palestinian Table, which won the Guild of Food Writers First Book award and a Gourmand World Cookbook award and was a James Beard Best International Cookbook award finalist and NPR Best Book. Her second book, The Arabesque Table is a one-of-a-kind collection of contemporary recipes tracing the rich history of Arab cuisine. She grew up in Jerusalem, then lived in the US, France, Germany, Jordan, and the UK. She now lives in Philadelphia.