Book Review: Souk to Table by Amina Al-Saigh

Rating: 5 Stars

As a huge fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, I was beyond excited to dive into Souk to Table: Vibrant Middle Eastern Dishes for Everyday Meals by Amina Al-Saigh. This cookbook is a delightful treasure trove of over 100 easy-to-make recipes that beautifully blend traditional and modern Middle Eastern flavors. Amina, a popular food blogger known as @hungrypaprikas, really understands the struggle of busy weeknights and has crafted this book to make cooking accessible without sacrificing the bold, exquisite flavors we all crave.

The book starts off with a fantastic introduction to “My Middle Eastern Pantry.” Here, Amina lays out the essential ingredients that form the backbone of her recipes, making it easy for anyone to stock their kitchen with what they need. Following this guide are sections divided by meal types: from "Condiments and Dips" to "Salads and Sides," and even "Main Dishes in 30 Minutes." There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for quick weeknight dinners or more elaborate weekend feasts.

What I love most about Souk to Table is how approachable it makes Middle Eastern cooking. Each recipe is accompanied by stunning photography that makes your mouth water before you even start cooking. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, with helpful notes on alternative ingredients for those who might not have access to everything. The "Deconstructed Turkish Manti" and "One-Pot Chicken & Saffron Orzo" were both huge hits in my house—seriously, my family couldn't get enough!

In a world where cooking can sometimes feel overwhelming, Amina’s book is like a warm hug that invites you into the vibrant flavors of the Middle East without the intimidation factor. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting out, Souk to Table is definitely a must-have addition to any foodie’s collection. I can’t wait to try more recipes from this gorgeous book—it’s truly a celebration of culinary heritage that enriches our everyday meals!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I loved everything about this cookbook. It checks all the boxes! Beautiful photos, simple recipes, complex recipes and most of all there is a recipe for every type of eater or diet. I love all of the dip selections and soups! The mudhammara pasta is outstanding and so inventive!!

I received an ARC of this cookbook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful cookbook. It's filled with recipes that are delicious!

Souk to Table is a book of vibrant Middle Eastern dishes for everyday meals.

Author Amina Al-Saigh grew up with family dinnertimes of delicious dishes cooked from scratch by her Iraqi mum. She started a food blog of her own when on maternity leave for her first child, on which she published Middle Eastern recipes with measurements (as many people from the previous generation cooked with their senses rather than precise quantities) as well as helpful tips and tricks on how to make the process easier and faster.

The book is divided into several sections. "My Middle Eastern Pantry" presents the pantry and fridge ingredients used throughout the recipes in this book. After this follow the recipes themselves, divided into the following categories: "Condiments and Dips", "Salads and Sides", "Main Dishes in 30 Minutes", "Main Dishes in 1 Hour", "Main Dishes Worth the Effort", "Main Dishes Soups & Stews", and "Desserts and Drinks"

The dishes are beautifully photographed and notes on alternative ingredients or methods are included for most of the recipes. Her cauliflower fritters were a big hit with my kids, and I can't wait to try the sheet-pan chicken shawarma and the one-pot shrimp and rice!

A recommended read for people who would love to cook like Ottolenghi but are short on time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A goregous cookbook full of recipes that I am dying to make and eat! The pictures are so vibrant, and the food looks like it could jump right onto my table.

4.5⭐ I love this cookbook! It has so many great recipes in it. And each recipe has a full page photograph to go with, so you can see the delicious dish before you make it! There are 100 mouth-watering recipes in this book, and I'm planning to work through as many as I can.

Her layout for each recipe is easy to read, and her instructions are easy to follow. There's a very informative section at the front of the book describing all the pantry items you will need for these recipes. Most items can be found in your local grocery store.

I love lamb tagine, and have been making it for many years. Amina's recipe is very similar to mine. I use apricots and raisins, she uses prunes. Next time I'm going to try prunes!

Amina is also a food blogger, @hungrypaprikas , where some of these recipes are featured, along with beautiful photos! She is first generation Arab Canadian and has offered up recipes for meals she made with her family while growing up. It doesn't get any better than this!

Thank you Amina Al-Saigh and NetGalley for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.

I would give this cookbook ten stars if possible; everything is incredible, from the recipes to the photos! The recipes are easy to follow and flavourful, and the cookbook is organized incredibly well, so it's easy to understand and find recipes from quick mains for weeknights to longer weekend recipes. I recommend this cookbook to anyone looking to venture out of their comfort zone or get a great cookbook with accessible, delicious, crowd-pleasing favourites!

The presentation of the recipes was great and multiple looked really interesting to try. And more vegetarian than I expected. This would be a good gift.

This is a gorgeous cookbook full of recipes I can't wait to make! I love how the book categorizes recipes in an easy to navigate way. I enjoyed the photos of the dishes and want a copy for my brother who likes to cook. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Souk to Table is a well written, appealing, and traditional general Middle Eastern cookbook with recipes collected and developed by Amina Al-Saigh. Due out 8th Oct 2024 from Quarto on their Rock Point imprint, it's 256 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Besides the generosity of spirit and hospitality deeply tied to food traditions in the Middle Eastern countries, the food is beautiful to look at, exotic for many folks who live in North America, and importantly, deliciously healthy.

The author has collected recipes from the whole Middle East, adjusted them slightly in some areas to make the ingredients more easily sourced for western readers, and written them down in an accessible way.

The recipes are arranged thematically: condiments & dips, salads & sides, 30 minute dishes, 1 hour, "worth the effort" (more complex/time consuming), soups & stews, and drinks & desserts. Each recipe is written with an introduction and area from which it comes, yields, estimated prep time, bullet list of ingredients, and step by step prep and cooking directions. Ingredient measures are given in imperial (American) measurements with metric measures in parentheses (yay!).

Most of the ingredients will be readily available at well stocked international type grocery stores, or larger urban grocers in most of North America/Europe.

A high point of the book is the excellent photography throughout. The food is attractively and professionally styled and photographed in color. The author has also used a fair amount of effort to provide a comprehensive pantry list and spice/seasoning primer for general audiences.

The cross referenced index includes ingredients by single entry, for easy lookup of particular recipes. (Don't know why this isn't -standard- in all cookbooks!).

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, or gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I shall say very sincerely that everything in this book is mouthwatering.
Years ago, I was so in love with the food in a Middle Eastern restaurant in a European city, and never since have seen the same quality of recipes, food and representation of those recipes/meals until this book.
I am so getting this, and also gifting this when it is released.

This is such a great cookbook! I will no longer have to miss the tastes of my childhood!

I love that it has all different Middle Eastern countries together so that I can try the versions of the good food I grew up with!

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!

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.

This cookbook is a wonderful gateway to the vibrant and rich culinary traditions of the Middle East, gathering some of the best dishes from the region into one beautifully curated collection. From flavorful dips and condiments to hearty mains, soups, salads, and even decadent desserts, it covers every aspect of Middle Eastern cuisine in a way that’s accessible for home cooks. What I especially appreciate is the focus on using easy-to-find, fresh ingredients paired with authentic Arabic spices, which makes it simple to recreate these mouthwatering meals in your own kitchen.

The recipes are laid out in such a way that even someone new to Middle Eastern cooking can dive right in with confidence. The instructions are clear and concise. The cookbook also balances a wide variety of dishes. For weeknight cooking, the quick dips, salads, and sides are perfect. The mains—like fragrant chicken shawarma or grilled kofta—are approachable and satisfying, while the soups and stews bring a comforting warmth, ideal for cooler days. And then there are the desserts! From sticky-sweet baklava to refreshing rosewater-infused drinks, there’s something to delight every palate.

If you’re looking to explore Middle Eastern cuisine and bring these delicious, fragrant dishes to your table, this cookbook is a must-have. With its focus on fresh ingredients, simple techniques, and the beautiful complexity of Arabic spices, it makes authentic Middle Eastern cooking not only approachable but deeply enjoyable.

What a lovely and interesting cookbook with some great Middle Eastern recipes. It is a book that brings new life and flavours to your kitchen and your meals. I enjoyed trying some of the wonderful and tasty recipes, the ease of making them and the joy of eating them. The division of the book in to sections was easy to follow, the photos made me hungry and the twist the author put into the recipes was quite lovely and new.

This is a recipe book I will use again and again to bring new life to the food in my home. All I can say is YUM!

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

In this skillfully written cookbook that features the yummiest recipes from Morocco, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt and so on ... Amina Al-Saigh celebrates the various food cultures within the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region. A truly beautiful cookbook that made me immediately follow the author's accounts (@HungryPaprikas) on both Instagram and Tiktok !

The book is divided into 7 sections (Condiments and dips, Salads and sides, 30 minutes, 1 hour, Worth the effort, Soups and stews, Desserts and drinks) so that you can try different menu combinations. Being from the region, I'm pretty familiar with most of the traditional recipes and I can tell that the author has impeccable taste. But what got me really excited about this cookbook are the twists she put on some famous dishes : Crumbled falafel salad ? Deconstructed manti ? Muhammara pasta ? So creative !

Honestly, there's nothing negative to say about this book (other than the fact that there are no Algerian recipes in it haha) : Great design and layout, oustanding food photography / styling (done by the author herself), excellent writing, clear instructions ... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 well-deserved stars !

Thank you so much NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing a copy of this e-book for review consideration !

This is a stunningly beautiful cookbook full of authentic recipes. We have friends from the Middle-East and so many of these dishes are things we've eaten that they cooked for us, and even a few that they taught me to make myself.

The photos are so beautiful, and the recipes are simple and easy to understand. I also love how each spice is described in the beginning of the book, and that helps make it much easier to find a substitution if needed.

This is a must buy for anyone interested in adding some delicious flavors to their meals. I've already made a shopping list, and plan to cook my way through this book.

I absolutely loved this cookbook! Coming from a culture with Turkish cuisine influences, I’ve been eager to incorporate more Middle Eastern dishes into our daily meals. This book offers a fantastic variety, from fresh salads and quick dishes to more elaborate, flavorful recipes. The presentation is beautifully done, with mouth-watering photos that inspire you to start cooking right away.

One of my favorite cuisines is Middle Eastern food and with this beautiful cover, I couldn't resist picking it up.

The book includes 99 recipes, from sauces and sides to main dishes, soups and dessert. Every recipe has a beautiful, delicious color photo, step by step instructions, notes, cooking times, and yield.

I loved the organization of the book. Main dishes were separated by time involved making, which I appreciate.

There were so many delicious sounding meals! Good things take time, so I won’t mind it when these recipes turn out tasting as good as they look.I’m definitely going to be making many of these in the future.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this cookbook.