Member Reviews
Loved the stories and personal connection throughout the book and recipes. This was definitely out of my comfort zone but introduced me to new food while educating me on the culture. Had me buying ingredients I’d never tried before. The recipes are well written and easy to follow and the few I tried were so good.
I loved this book! I cooked two recipes and they were wonderful. Clear directions and especially loved the pictures.
A gorgeous cookbook full of delectable recipes and colorful photos, capturing the true essence of Middle Eastern cuisine and its wonderfully unique flavors and spices. The author highlights recipes from her homeland of Iraq, but also includes dishes from Morocco, Lebanon, Syria and further afield. The cookbook is divided into courses and the author provides recipes for all skill levels, from one-pot meals to celebratory dinners that require lengthier preparation time. It's a glorious celebration of Middle Eastern cuisine and I've already ordered a copy to add to my cookbook collection!
This was an absolutely gorgeous book featuring a range of Middle Eastern cuisine. This was a feast for the eyes (and presumably, if cooked, for the mouth lol). A book any lover of Middle Eastern food would love!
An excellent cookbook covering a range of recipe ideas for the novice to advanced chef. All recipes are well set out and easy to follow
Nicely photographed, well presented Middle Eastern cookbook.
The instructions are clear and well laid out. Many of the recipes will be familiar to those who cook food from the reason but there are some novel twists here and there and I love the sound of the no bake chocolate biscuit cake.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Souk to Table focuses on middle eastern recipes. There is an introduction on the ingredients that are prevalent in a middle eastern pantry like pomegranate molasses.
The Sections are
Condiments and dips
Salads and sides
30 mins
1 hour
Worth the effort
Soups and stews
Desserts and drinks
Each recipe has yield, prep time, a recipe blurb, ingredients, directions, notes (if applicable), and a picture to accompany. The photography is absolutely stunning and all the dishes look so delicious. The directions are short and easy to follow. The design of the cookbook is very aesthetic and fun. I can’t wait to try a bunch of the recipes.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this eCopy to review
Souk to Table by Amina Al-Saigh is a treasure trove of vibrant Middle Eastern dishes. Al-Saigh’s passion for her heritage shines through in every recipe, making it a joy to cook from.
The book features 100 easy-to-make recipes from across the Middle East, including Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco. Each recipe is accompanied by stunning photos, which not only make the dishes look appetizing but also help guide you through the cooking process. The variety is impressive, with dips, condiments, salads, sides, mains, soups, stews, desserts, and drinks all covered.
What I love most is how Al-Saigh simplifies Middle Eastern cooking without sacrificing any of the authentic flavours. The recipes are designed for busy weeknights, with many dishes that can be made in under an hour, but there are also traditional recipes that are perfect for weekend cooking and hosting
Overall, Souk to Table is a must-have for anyone looking to explore Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s beautifully written, visually appealing, and packed with delicious recipes that will transport you to the bustling markets of the Middle East.
I love everything about this book. There are many recipes that are familiar and there are others that so so new to me. What intrigued me were the recipes from Iraq since I am not familiar with those dishes. I like how the book is categorized which makes it easy to navigate and I like how there is a small explanation about the recipe which gives insight about the dish, region, and memories of cooking it.
"Souk to Table" is a must-have for anyone looking to elevate their weeknight meals with the bold and exquisite flavors of the Middle East. Amina Al-Saigh brilliantly bridges tradition and modernity, offering 100 accessible recipes that are both simple and authentic. Whether you're after a quick dinner under an hour or craving to dive into a rich, traditional dish, this cookbook delivers. The variety spans across Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and beyond, with a focus on fresh ingredients and vibrant spices that won't have you searching high and low.
I am delighted to be able to tell you about this book of Middle Eastern cookery is joyful to read. I encourage you to peruse the gorgeous photographs and indulge in the aromas and flavours that the author describes.
The book begins with her telling us of her childhood in Iraq and Libya, before moving with her family to Canada. She paints an evocative picture of the foods which her mother would produce for the family. What the author does in this book is to take those dishes and make them suitable for producing in the busyness of the modern world.
There are sections in the book which take either thirty or sixty minutes to produce. There are also chapters on condiments and dips, desserts and drinks, salads and sides, soups and stews, as well as a chapter on recipes that are worth spending extra time over. She also details what can be found in her Middle Eastern pantry.
I really enjoyed reading this cook book. I would love to say “reading and trying recipes from” but, sadly, my current bed bound status prevents me from dabbling in my kitchen.
Also, please don’t be offended by 4 stars, I have a LOT of food intolerances due to my health, so rarely find a cook book I can call a perfect fit for me and give 5 stars.
However! I enjoyed Souk to Table so much, I’ve added a hardcopy version to my Amazon wish list (also known as my “hints to my husband” list). As there are quite a few recipes I do hope to try (with my usual mods) once I’m back on my feet.
I also really loved the narrative of this book. Some cook book narratives can come across rather forced and fake. But not with this. It flowed beautifully, and naturally. Explaining the reasons each dish was included and, honestly, making me WANT to cook them myself.
The formatting of the book (always important with cook books) was excellent. Easy to follow, easy to understand as both Imperial and Metric measurements given.
A book I highly recommend.
Souk to Table includes 100 Middle Eastern recipes for condiments and dips, salads and sides, main dishes, soups and stews, and desserts and drinks. The main dishes are divided up into 30 minutes, 1 hour, and worth the effort, which I thought was a nice way to split up the main dishes because some days you may only have 30 minutes to make dinner while other days you can spend an hour or more cooking. The cookbook begins with an introduction and ingredients to have in the pantry. Next are the recipes. Each recipe has an introduction, ingredient list, numbered directions, prep, and cook times. Every recipe also includes a photo, which I greatly appreciate, and the photos are beautiful. Some of the recipes I would love to try are the Puff Pastry Cheese Fatayer, Muhammara Pasta, Persian Ash Reshteh, Classic Walnut Baklawa, and Karak Chai. Souk to Table is a fantastic cookbook, and it is perfect for anyone interested in Middle Eastern cooking.
This is a wonderful cookbook, I’ve tried several of the recipes over the last number of week and each one has been a success.
I loved in particular that while many of the recipes were new to me , I had all the ingredients to hand. Special mention to the recipes for dips and sides, id not idea they were so versatile and easy to make. Great photography, clear recipes, variety and detail.
The ebook format does not do this book justice and I’m definitely going to buy a copy to add to my kitchen stack.
Recommend whole heartedly.
5 ⭐️
"Souk to Table" by Amina Al-Saigh is a fantastic addition to any collection of Middle Eastern cookbooks. The author's passion for the cuisine is evident in every recipe, and her love for the region's rich culinary traditions shines through on every page.
What sets this book apart is its focus on accessibility. Al-Saigh understands that cooking Middle Eastern dishes can sometimes be overwhelming, so she provides easy-to-follow recipes that are perfect for busy households. Her approachable writing style and clear instructions make it easy to create delicious, flavorful dishes without spending hours in the kitchen.
The book is filled with a wide variety of recipes, from classic dishes like hummus and falafel to more modern twists on traditional favorites. Each recipe is beautifully photographed and accompanied by helpful tips and anecdotes from the author's own experiences.
Overall, "Souk to Table" is a must-have for anyone who loves Middle Eastern cuisine and wants to bring its bold flavors into their own kitchen. Highly recommended!
I’m pretty picky with the cookbooks I purchase but I 100% would add this one to my collection! It’s filled with recipes that look packed with flavor and beautiful photos to match!
Thank you Rock Point and NetGalley for an ARC of this recipe book.
I enjoyed the notes and background stories Amina provided throughout this book.
Prior to the recipe section, the key ingredients in Middle Eastern cooking were explained and pictured which I found particularly useful, the recipes were grouped into different sections making it easier to find within the book, and were accompanied by a photograph of each dish.
This recipe book will be a welcome addition to any one who is keen to try more dishes of Middle Eastern origin.
This book has some amazing recipes, great range with options for everyone. So flavourful and filling. Definitely recommend.
A beautiful cookbook filled with delicious and flavourful Middle Eastern dishes adapted for the modern kitchen and time poor working family.
I simply want to cook everything in this book, there are a wide variety of dishes from different countries in the Middle East and great shortcuts suggested that won't truncate the flavours.
The recipes are also very budget friendly, and only the pomegranate molasses, which is one of the base flavours of most recipies will be a little more difficult to source than just a run to the local supermarket.
I would not recommend to vegetarians or people with a low carb diet. Those are substantive meals with a strong traditional feel with a lot of vegetables in many of the recipes.
Great recipes and photos! There are a lot of chicken and rice/potato dishes, but still plenty of other recipes to make the collection worthwhile. If you're vegan/vegetarian, you could still use this book for inspiration.