This cookbook is much more than a cookbook. It tells the story of the local people who cook the recipes and shows how food brings people together.

This type of cooking is of great interest to me as I know the Mediterranean way of eating is the most healthiest in all the world. I don't say "diet" because it is a lifestyle. I unfortunately am not able to read because my devices do not support the book review format and I don't read from my computer. But I'm sure it contains healthy recipes with foods that are mostly plant-based, and healthy fats that I would enjoy. I received this e-book for free from NetGalley and the opinions I express are honest and my own.

A very badly timed and unfortunately titled cookbook (They're PALESTINIANS - not Arabs) that exploits a culture which neither of the authors fully understand or respect.

The photos were nice.

I was biased before I even opened this book as I have been a fan of Middle Eastern food for much longer than I would care to admit.

Having opened said book and drooled my way through the recipes, I am so pleased that I gave into temptation. The recipes are great and enhanced by the stories of the people who supplied them. The only thing missing was a sample or two of the foods themselves!!

Very interesting cookbook - each recipe has some sort of history to it - where the authors were and the folk who made it for them.
I had to laugh at one salad recipe that was in quantities for a dining hall at an university, the note added by author was to the effect of: if you make this recipe as is and you are four people you'll be eating this salad for 5 years! It definitely made me giggle.
There are a few recipes that will for sure be added to my list, they are like nothing I have had before.
I also enjoyed the diary entries, made for a unique book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

Robin Soans wanted to write a play about the Arab Israeli situation and came up with the idea of the The Arab Israeli Cookbook as a play. He said that everyone in the Middle East is passionate about food so if they were talking about food it would stop them getting propagandist. This led to the play but afterwards Robin wanted to record the details of the dishes involved hence this cookbook with a forward written by Egyptian food writer Claudia Roden. In the book we follow Robins journey into Israel and the West Bank meeting with people and gathering information including their stories, pictures and recipes. Its a beautifully laid out book with pictures and extracts from Robin's diary and quotes from the people he spoke with.

Wonderful to look through a variety of cultural recipes.

Loved the short interviews with the recipes as well as the pictures.

Thank you for providing me with a copy of this book. I really enjoyed this and loved the stories that go with different recipes and the pictures included. The recipes themselves are also really easy to follow and describe the instructions really well. Lots of options to cook with a range of meat and vegetarian options. There weren’t as many recipes that I would personally use due to the meat in the ingredients not being meat I would usually eat however I would still recommend to those who eat more variety of meat.

Poignant and touching book with accessible recipes provided by people from Israel and Palestine with short interviews accompanying each recipe. Really memorable and I've already made 2 recipes successfully.
Arc provided by NetGalley

A book that highlights that food is best shared and can overcome political or cultural events. All religions have sharing food as an important part of society and building bridges. I found that the recipes were so superb, apart from the fact that some of them could not be scaled down and I do not often cook for numbers in the hundreds. I loved the discussions with the local people who shared their family recipes and the historical sections helping to understand why the food being eaten was perhaps different to what we expect. One example of cultural eating habits was explained so clearly with the Bedouin tribe section and was very informative.
I did not see the documentary that was the basis for this recipe book and I will try now to see if it is possible to still see it as this has wetted my appetite, especially now that the middle East is under so much turmoil and war currently.

The Arab-Israeli Cookbook by Robin Soans and Claudia Roden is a beautifully presented collection of recipes that feels like a comforting journey through everyday kitchens. This cookbook is unique because it features recipes from ordinary people, bringing an authentic and homey touch to the pages.

Many recipes in The Arab-Israeli Cookbook took me back to my childhood, evoking the comforting aroma of the dishes my Egyptian-born grandmother used to make. It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, a journey that I'm sure many readers will find themselves on. The book's user-friendly nature, with its easy-to-follow instructions and use of everyday ingredients, makes it accessible for beginner cooks, instilling a sense of confidence that they, too, can recreate these dishes at home.

I particularly loved the personal stories and tidbits shared by the people the authors interviewed to gather these recipes. This adds a warm, everyday feel to the book, making it more than just a collection of recipes but also a celebration of shared culinary heritage.

I highly recommend this cookbook to novice cooks looking to expand their repertoire of home-cooked meals.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aurora Metro Publishing for gifting me the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

#TheArabIsraeliCookbookrecipes #NetGalley.

Robin Soans, a British actor and playwright, brings a unique perspective to the culinary world with The Arab-Israeli Cookbook. Initially, I believed this was a new publication, given its relevance to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, I discovered it was originally published in 2005. Despite the years that have passed, the themes of the book remain timely, making it well worth revisiting today.

What sets this cookbook apart is its blend of authentic recipes and the compelling stories behind them. Soans doesn't just share recipes; he shares the lives of the people he dined with and learned from during his travels. The book features a diverse array of dishes, not limited to Palestinian and Israeli cuisine but encompassing a broad spectrum of Arabic and Middle Eastern flavors that have delighted generations.

what a wonderful cookbook, I love that in this political climate, there`s something that unites us all - a love of food!
I enjoyed preparing the hummus from this book and my kids adored it!
If you like spice, flavours and middle eastern food, this is a great cookbook.

A truly fascinating book especially in light of what is happening in Israel/Gaza today. It gives a wonderful insight the life of the people and the recipes are ones I will definitely be trying.

Dies ist ein wunderbares Buch voller Geschichten, die zu jedem Rezept gehören. Ich liebe es, etwas über neue Kulturen zu erfahren und habe dieses Kochbuch sehr gerne gelesen. (ja, ich lese Kochbücher). Es gibt so viele wunderbar klingende Rezepte, die man ausprobieren kann, vom Frühstück bis zum Abendessen und alles dazwischen. Ich werde es genießen, mich durch dieses Buch zu kochen.

This is a good way to communicate what once was, in light of what’s currently happening, using the one thing that can usually bring people together, FOOD. The stories behind the recipes are equal parts uplifting and heartbreaking.
I hope the time will come when the focus is how to live peacefully and the origins of the conflict, while not forgotten, be forgiven and laid to rest.

What a wonderful book full of tasty recipes and photos. I loved the stories about the people who shared the recipes with the author. Highly recommend for any one who loves middle eastern food. Thanks to Aurora Metro and Netgalley for this review copy.

I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

This is a wonderful cookbook, filled with recipes, stories, and photos of the people who share meals with the author. What a treat. There are lots of delicious recipes for food I know I enjoy, but haven't had a reliable recipe to work from until now. There are breakfasts, snacks, mains, and sweets that you can try at home. Most ingredients needed are relatively easy to find in grocery stores and specialty shops, and the recipes are easy to follow.

Definitely check this book if you'd like to expand your culinary repertoire!

The Arab-Israeli Cookbook is spectacular. Although I haven’t cooked from it, the recipes are well-known and uncomplicated. ( You will have to convert to American standard measurements.) what I loved about the book was the introduction to each recipe- the author’s anecdotes about the Israeli and Palestinian cooks who welcomed her crew into their homes. She depicted them as gentle, king, and welcoming as I had found them to be in my trips to Israel and Jordan. So, while the food and recipes will enrich the reader’s palate, the narrative will enrich the reader’s connection with humanity.

Thanks to Net Galley and Aurora Metro Books for an e print in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fairly basic cookbook. It has great recipes in it but the instructions aren't always super easy to understand in the way that they are just very simple. Instead of detailed directions they are more vague. The reason for republishing this book is really nice ans understandable.