Bayrut: The Cookbook

by Hisham Assaad

A stunning, authentic, and evocative cookbook on the food of Beirut - the heart of Lebanon.

Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is an exhilarating, chaotic city with a tumultuous past yet a thriving, vibrant foodie reputation. Perfectly poised between the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Lebanese cuisine is hugely popular — famed for its varied and flavourful regional dishes that emphasise whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood.

Beirut’s ever-changing, often turbulent, heritage means that its food has evolved an exciting character of its own. In this book, Hisham Assaad shows you the best the city has to offer, with accessible, delicious recipes, ranging from the classics to more modern fare. He tells the story of a city with energy and diversity, of multiple cultures and traditions, with ever-popular street food, a thriving restaurant and café scene, and traditional family favourites handed down through generations. Learn to create lavish breakfast spreads, traditional Sunday feasts, fresh and vibrant salads, easy and nutritious suppers, or even a delectable afternoon tea with tempting perfumed sweets and delicacies.

With stunning food and travel photography, this book will transport you to the cultural melting pot that is Beirut — a city that excels at mouth-watering food.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2021

About the author

Hisham Assaad is a Lebanese cook and food photographer who has been regularly sharing recipes and stories on his blog, cookin5m2.com, since 2013. Raised in a food-loving family that came to Lebanon from Palestine in the 1940 Nakba, his work has been featured in many print and online magazines. He credits much of his knowledge about food to his home-cook mother and his butcher father (who himself came from a whole family of butchers), learning the basics and history of the food that has been a center of family life.

He also hosts guided boutique food tours around Lebanon and is a frequent guest chef at local restaurants and festivals.

Reviews

[Charles Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lebanese food both fills my stomach and my soul. There’s just something about the flavors that combine to elevate not just a meal but a communal dining experience.

This cookbook is wonderfully presented with clear directions and lovely pictures. I feel like my cookbook Library is starting to overflow with middle eastern selections, but I will have to - gladly - make room for this book.

Personally, I was delighted to see a recipe for “Atayef Ashta” - as I fondly recall that sweet treat from a Ramadan event in Abu Dhabi 16 years ago. I can’t wait to make it myself.

[Colton Brydges · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book and a very honest exploration of one of the world's best cuisines. Assaad is very forthcoming about the city's struggles of recent years and how tragedy has shaped and continues to shape Beirut's food. Oh, and the recipes look pretty delicious as well!

[Don Hollander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a pretty face

A beautiful book for sure, but the commentary and the recipes are delicious.

[l · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read again in summer