Salamati: Hamed's Persian Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from Iran to the Other Side of the World

by Hamed Allahyari, Dani Valent, Armelle Habib (Photographs)

A heartwarming story of resilience, homesickness, and good Persian cooking in 70 accessible recipes

Hamed Allahyari cooks to connect—for that joyful moment you can say “salamati” (Farsi for “health” and “cheers”) around the table. The food of his native Tehran is a resonant and delicious gift, and a way of staying bonded to a country he hasn't returned to for a decade.

Hamed’s food is anchored in tradition but accessible to all. The recipes are simple, celebratory, appealing, flexible, and full of flavor. As well as working as a chef and caterer, Hamed has road-tested his dishes at hundreds of cooking classes: he melds Persian culinary culture and an understanding of Western palates to create recipes that are truly his—and now ours to share.

Beyond the recipes, Salamati is a gateway to Persia. “It’s sharing my culture,” says Hamed. “It’s my dream that everyone tries Persian food. And with my food, they come into my family. They are sitting with me, with my grandparents, parents, and cousins, talking, sharing, and enjoying the feeling of being together.”

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 11, 2022

Reviews

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much more than just your average cook book. Not only is it one of the most stunning cookery books I own, it's also the author's personal memoir.

I have yet to try any of the recipes, but they are all illustrated in their full authentic glory and look/sound absolutely delicious. None of the recipes look particularly difficult, which is definitely a bonus for me.

A beautiful addition to any shelf and Persian food tried sometime very soon.

Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fabulously detailed and colourful book “SALAMATI” - (Persian for health and cheers) and said around a table, conjures up visions of family meals, laughter and fun with the many scented aromas of aromatic herbs and spices. All the recipes included in this book are simple to follow, easy to make and are visually appealing for wherever you live and whatever your background. So get together with friends and family (or even just for yourself) and enjoy these appealing and flexible meals from starters and mains, to dips and pickles and much much more. The author Hamed Allahyari with Dani Valent share both recipes and stories from their native Iran to their home in Australia (via Indonesia), forming a gateway of Persian Culinary Culture for you to explore no matter where you reside.

What makes this cook book stand out so much from others is the fact that Hamed gets to tell his story and bring it to life in such a colourful way. As a chef and restaurateur, Hamed was often in trouble with the religious police and when a crisis of faith endangered his life, he was forced to flee Iran suddenly. Escaping with his pregnant girlfriend Dani and with nothing to his name, his courage and strength of character is buried deep in each recipe and has become an anchor to his new life and home in a different country.

With authentic and beautiful recipes like ‘Walnut and Pomegranate Chicken Stew’, ‘Street-food Tomato Omelette’ and the deliciously sounding ‘Persian Love Cake’, you’ll be hard pushed as to which recipe to choose first and I’m sure there’ll be weeks of cooking ahead for those wanting to join Hamed and Dani and their dream that everyone can share their pride in Persian food.

#Salamati - 5 stars

Thank you to Anne at Random Tours for my copy of the book in return for an honest review.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! A combination cook book and memoir. Australia, give Hamed and his family residency immediately - his contribution to food culture demands it.

The recipes look amazing, I want to try them all. The instructions are clear and look easy to follow, and the suggestions for menus are well set out. I enjoyed the little vignettes of Hamed's life that accompany each recipe too.

[Angela Ould Bouya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so incredibly grateful for this book. I'm an American revert Muslimah who attempts to make different dishes from Muslim countries on Fridays. Of course I was surprised to learn the author is atheist. I'm so happy to read his story. I can not imagine his life in Iran, and I respect his choices. Although his life is fascinating, the recipes here are equally stirring to my mind. Beautiful photos! Very clear instruction. Already implemented tips!

[Svetlana Krajinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamed’s cafe Salamatea in Melbourne’s Sunshine is one of my favourite places to eat in Melbourne. I don’t get to visit as often as I’d like as I live miles away but now that Hamed has written this beautiful book I can recreate some of my Persian favourites at home. My Persian Armenian grandmother used to make Fesenjoon every Sunday and Hamed’s is as good if not better! If you’ve never tried Persian food before Hamed’s book is the perfect starting place - Nooshe jan!

[Charles Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of competition for space on my cookbook shelving - especially for cuisines from Iran and the surround counties. “Salamati” earns its spot with wonderful stories about the chef’s journey and each recipe while presenting easily accessible recipes that stray wonderfully from the overly familiar meals. The classic favorites are still there, but the writing and pictures of this cookbook encourage the home chef to explore the Persian cuisine.

[Christina Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some amazing recipes, and I particularly love how he's added full menu combination ideas throughout

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salamati is well worth the read. The collection of recipes is unique and accessible, flavorful and creative.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An absolutely beautiful cookbook, but most of the recipes have ingredients not readily available to the typical American. I found 2 recipes that I would make.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this book, I did hope there would be more about the culture of Iran and more stories of the food included by the author.