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Zaitoun: Recipes from the Palestinian Kitchen Kindle Edition

by Yasmin Khan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 572 ratings
Editors' pick Best Cookbooks, Food & Wine
See all formats and editions

A New Yorker, Guardian, BookRiot, Kitchn, KCRW, and Literary Hub Best Cookbook of the Year



A dazzling celebration of Palestinian cuisine, featuring more than 80 modern recipes, captivating stories and stunning travel photography.


Yasmin Khan unlocks the flavors and fragrances of modern Palestine, from the sun-kissed pomegranate stalls of Akka, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, through evergreen oases of date plantations in the Jordan Valley, to the fading fish markets of Gaza City.


Palestinian food is winningly fresh and bright, centered around colorful mezze dishes that feature the region’s bountiful eggplants, peppers, artichokes, and green beans; slow-cooked stews of chicken and lamb flavored with Palestinian barahat spice blends; and the marriage of local olive oil with earthy za’atar, served in small bowls to accompany toasted breads. It has evolved over several millennia through the influences of Arabic, Jewish, Armenian, Persian, Turkish, and Bedouin cultures and civilizations that have ruled over, or lived in, the area known as ancient Palestine.


In each place she visits, Khan enters the kitchens of Palestinians of all ages and backgrounds, discovering the secrets of their cuisine and sharing heartlifting stories.

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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  5. Publication date
    February 5, 2019
  6. File size
    249024 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Get to know this book

Previous page

  1. What's it about?

    A celebration of Palestinian cuisine, featuring more than 80 modern recipes, captivating stories and stunning travel photography.

  2. Amazon editors say...

    The gorgeous cover sets the tone for Khan's dazzling introducton to the food of modern Palestine.
    Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Next page

From the Publisher

Roast Rainbow Carrots with Herbed Yogurt

Roast Rainbow Carrots with Herbed Yogurt

Serves 4 as part of spread

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Peel the carrots and slice them diagonally into thick wedges. Toss them with 2 tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt and roast for 30–35 minutes, until they are tender, but still have some bite.

Meanwhile, whisk together all the remaining ingredients, except the seeds, (and not forgetting the final 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil) with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

When the carrots are ready, transfer them to a serving dish and leave them to cool to room temperature. Pour over the yogurt dressing, mix well, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Scatter with the nigella and sesame seeds.

You can tuck in immediately or, for best results, cover and leave to rest for about 1 hour before serving.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb mixed rainbow carrots (ideally purple, white and orange)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unflavored yogurt
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill, or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • 1/2 teaspoon nigella seeds
  • 3/4 teaspoon sesame seeds

Donyana salad

Apricot and Rose Water Rice Pudding

Roast Eggplant with Spiced Chickpeas and Tomatoes

Donyana Salad

Apricot and Rose Water Rice Pudding

Roast Eggplant and Spiced Chickpeas and Tomatoes

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Yasmin Khan is a human rights campaigner and storyteller as well as a recipe writer, and the three strands of her work are illuminatingly woven into this, her new book, Zaitoun, an important collection of recipes and stories from the Palestinian kitchen. This is a politically engaged and hungry travelogue, and it is also an inspirational recipe book, and one that anyone who loves food will want to cook from, will need to cook from."
― Nigella Lawson

"Excellent…Khan’s cookbook is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the region’s food and culture."
― Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A big bowlful of delicious Palestinian recipes, plus lots of insightful and moving stories."
― Yotam Ottolenghi

"This is the best kind of cookbook, one which tells you about people through the stories of their food. Compelling reading, gorgeous pictures―and the most delicious recipes. I can’t wait to start cooking."
― Ruth Reichl

"As a Palestinian who grew up in Jerusalem, I have been conditioned to be wary of any non-Palestinian trying to share our story and our culture with the world…Very quickly I found myself in tears at just how beautifully and accurately she has captured the essence of our Palestinian culture. Yasmin Khan you have done Palestinians and our story justice, your understanding of the nuances of our culture and history is unparalleled."
― Reem Kassis, author of The Palestinian Table

"Yasmin Khan draws on her vast experience as a storyteller, cook, human rights activist, itinerant traveler and writer to create a moving, empathetic, hugely knowledgeable and utterly delicious book."
― Anthony Bourdain

"A zingingly evocative collection of personal stories…Calling it a cookbook does it a disservice. Zaitoun deserves to be read as much as cooked from."
― Tim Lewis, Guardian (UK)

"Part cookbook and part travel journal, this work is full of recipes, photos, and stories from Palestine. It is bright in flavour and colour and will teach you about this incredible nation through dishes like slow-cooked stews of chicken and lamb flavored with Palestinian barahat spice blends"
― BookRiot

From the Back Cover

Praise for Yasmin Khan's debut book The Saffron Tales:

"This is so much more than a compilation of recipes, gorgeous though they themselves are. This is a book that tells a story, both cultural and personal, and her voice is as engaging as her food."
– Nigella Lawson

"Barberries, fresh herbs, date molasses, dried limes, saffron; Yasmin’s Persian pantry staples are a roll call of my favourite ingredients. Her recipes are a mouthwatering showcase of a beautiful country."
– Yotam Ottolenghi

"Yasmin Khan has lived and traveled widely in Iran, and The Saffron Tales…reflects traditions she knows intimately. But she has the rare gift of being able to translate her personal heritage into recipes even newcomers will be able to pull off."
– New York Times Book Review

"One of the more engrossing cookbooks I read this year…Nations speak and, in some cases, survive through their culinary traditions. This book is an incomparable and important examination of Iranian society through its kitchens and cuisine."
– Wall Street Journal

"[Khan’s] food is a sensitive balance of tradition with modern tweaks."
– Los Angeles Times

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07DP5C67W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company (February 5, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 5, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 249024 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 572 ratings

About the author

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Yasmin Khan

Yasmin Khan

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Yasmin Khan is a best-selling author, broadcaster and human rights campaigner who is passionate about sharing people's stories through food. Her work sits on the intersection between food, travel and politics and her critically acclaimed books The Saffron Tales, Zaitoun and Ripe Figs share everyday stories of beauty and connection from places more commonly associated with conflict. Prior to her writing career, Khan was a human rights campaigner for a decade, running national and international campaigns for NGOS and grassroots groups on poverty and human rights.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
572 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the recipes delicious and amazing. They also describe the book as beautiful, with simple to complex recipes and interesting background stories. Readers also mention it's an excellent reference book of their favorite cuisine, with great instructions and interesting stories. They describe the healthy content as delicious.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Recipe qualityContentReadabilityHealth contentEntertainment value
48 customers mention "Recipe quality"43 positive5 negative

Customers find the recipes in the book delicious, easy to follow, and healthy. They say the recipes satisfy Middle Eastern cravings and provide a nice balance between meat-based and vegetarian dishes.

"Recipes are delicious and easy to make. Also nice reading about each dish and the history." Read more

"...Each recipe is clearly described and beautifully photographed. I love it so much,I bought copies for friends too.It’s my new favorite! Enjoy." Read more

"From simple to complex, this book offers recipes with flavors that distinguish Palestinian cuisine from its neighboring cultures...." Read more

"...This book is everything you want it to be. The recipes are easy to make, flavorful, and overall stellar...." Read more

28 customers mention "Content"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautiful, well organized, and artfully assembled. They also appreciate the great pictures and narrative.

"...Each recipe is clearly described and beautifully photographed. I love it so much,I bought copies for friends too.It’s my new favorite! Enjoy." Read more

"...The photographs and stories are beautiful - they really round out this cookbook." Read more

"Nice photos bound hardcover. Basically photo right recipe left. Not magazine stock. Smells printed on demand. Do not deter. Great recipes." Read more

"...The book is beautiful, although that wouldn’t matter if the recipes were not also delicious...." Read more

13 customers mention "Readability"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with recipes from simple to complex. They also appreciate the interesting background stories and informative text about the struggles of the people in the book.

"Recipes are delicious and easy to make. Also nice reading about each dish and the history." Read more

"...Simple advice, many alternatives offered in case the authentic tools or in some cases ingredients cannot be used, leads to great results...." Read more

"Text describing regions informative and moving. The recipes have deep meaning as a result." Read more

"...In addition, I've got to praise the clarity of instructions as well as the fun and interesting back stories and descriptions provided with each..." Read more

7 customers mention "Health content"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the health content in the book delicious.

"...Find your new comfort food that’s healthy and full of flavor and cooking joy. It leaves a wonderful smell in your house too!" Read more

"...The recipes are easy to follow, aren't fussy, so healthy and super tasty...." Read more

"...The Palestinian food featured in this cookbook is delicious, nutritious, and makes use of basic ingredients and interesting spices/herbs...." Read more

"This is one of the best Healthy Cooking book. We really enjoyed every meal in this book. Amazingly written and described...." Read more

3 customers mention "Entertainment value"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with fun and interesting back stories and descriptions.

"...The author takes you on an exciting journey that will spark your curiosity and wet your appetite in ways that few other recipe books do...." Read more

"...got to praise the clarity of instructions as well as the fun and interesting back stories and descriptions provided with each dish...." Read more

"I loved the stories and I really feel like I got a grasp of the authors soul reading the forward leading up to the recipes...." Read more

A culinary adventure!
5 out of 5 stars
A culinary adventure!
This cookbook is not just visually beautiful , it’s a culinary adventure! The author takes you on a journey through Palestine one plate at a time.I’m an avid cook and have enjoyed trying new spices and herbs. Each recipe is clearly described and beautifully photographed. I love it so much,I bought copies for friends too.It’s my new favorite! Enjoy.
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Top reviews from the United States

Mrs. Laura Slavney
5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious Recipes
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
Verified Purchase
Recipes are delicious and easy to make. Also nice reading about each dish and the history.
Helpful
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Jacquelina7
5.0 out of 5 stars A culinary adventure!
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
This cookbook is not just visually beautiful , it’s a culinary adventure! The author takes you on a journey through Palestine one plate at a time.
I’m an avid cook and have enjoyed trying new spices and herbs. Each recipe is clearly described and beautifully photographed. I love it so much,I bought copies for friends too.
It’s my new favorite! Enjoy.
Customer image
Jacquelina7
5.0 out of 5 stars A culinary adventure!
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2022
This cookbook is not just visually beautiful , it’s a culinary adventure! The author takes you on a journey through Palestine one plate at a time.
I’m an avid cook and have enjoyed trying new spices and herbs. Each recipe is clearly described and beautifully photographed. I love it so much,I bought copies for friends too.
It’s my new favorite! Enjoy.
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image
Customer imageCustomer image
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
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Sebastian B Huydts
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and delicious
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
From simple to complex, this book offers recipes with flavors that distinguish Palestinian cuisine from its neighboring cultures. The author takes you on an exciting journey that will spark your curiosity and wet your appetite in ways that few other recipe books do. Simple advice, many alternatives offered in case the authentic tools or in some cases ingredients cannot be used, leads to great results. Find your new comfort food that’s healthy and full of flavor and cooking joy. It leaves a wonderful smell in your house too!
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Cait
5.0 out of 5 stars I'll be moving to Palestine now.
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
My food preference is definitely Indian, Middle Eastern, you know...the food that has 2 pages of spices and tastes amazing after 17 hours on the stove.

This book is everything you want it to be. The recipes are easy to make, flavorful, and overall stellar. I did not find any of the ingredients difficult to source, but I can see how the might be (if you live in a small town without access to international markets). The photographs and stories are beautiful - they really round out this cookbook.
One person found this helpful
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Nites
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Recipes
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great recipes with unique and everyday ingredients. Can't wait to try them
2 people found this helpful
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Legiscritique
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice photos
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
Nice photos bound hardcover. Basically photo right recipe left. Not magazine stock. Smells printed on demand. Do not deter. Great recipes.
Helpful
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Tamra J Upton
5.0 out of 5 stars Xmas gift
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024
Verified Purchase
My daughter in law is Palestinian and really wanted recipes to cook, now she loves the book
2 people found this helpful
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Mary Katherine Kenworthy
5.0 out of 5 stars So glad we bought this cookbook!
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
Lovely recipes and I love the idea of getting to know a people through their food. We have tried a few recipes since purchasing and like the nuanced difference from other middle eastern food that we eat and cook. The book is beautiful, although that wouldn’t matter if the recipes were not also delicious. Thank you for this collection, and thanks to NPR for drawing my attention to it! We have a vegetarian in the house and there are so many recipes to satisfy both his tastes as well as some meat for me!
12 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Antonia
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book, With a Side of Human Rights and Politics
Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
I've been through Israel, Palestine, Jordan and other Middle Eastern countries. I love the cuisine, especially the vegetarian and vegan dishes. (I have other Palestinian cuisine books and everything by Ottolenghi.)

This delightful book, packed with tempting things I can hardly wait to try out, also presents the human side of the occupation. Fine by me. I've seen it up close and personal. Brutal.

An unreserved five stars.
5 people found this helpful
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A.
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo
Reviewed in Italy on May 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
Bellissimo libro di ricette mediorientali.
Un libro altamente consigliato
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Sama
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a lovely book
Reviewed in Germany on March 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Since i am Palestinian; i was so happy to see that i can get this book on Amazon! It’s beautifully made and i love it so much
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Monsieur patate
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, the recipes work
Reviewed in France on February 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
A great recipe book, all recipes I've tried work well, and are culturally accurate, as they have not been adapted or modified to catter to the tastes of non-Middle Eastern people. In short: this is the real deal. Only downside: depending on where you live, it may be hard to come by certain of the recommended spices.
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Lou Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars Smell and taste!
Reviewed in Australia on February 16, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a book you can smell... taste... just by skimming through, or absorbing an intimate delve into thronging markets and byways, or the atmosphere of a home kitchen.
A delicately exotic and intriguingly aromatic book.
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