A groundbreaking culinary work of extraordinary depth and scope that spans more than one thousand years of history, A Mediterranean Feast tells the sweeping story of the birth of the venerated and diverse cuisines of the Mediterranean. Author Clifford A. Wright weaves together historical and culinary strands from Moorish Spain to North Africa, from coastal France to the Balearic Islands, from Sicily and the kingdoms of Italy to Greece, the Balkan coast, Turkey, and the Near East. The evolution of these cuisines is not simply the story of farming, herding, and fishing; rather, the story encompasses wars and plagues, political intrigue and pirates, the Silk Road and the discovery of the New World, the rise of capitalism and the birth of city-states, the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition, and the obsession with spices. The ebb and flow of empires, the movement of populations from country to city, and religion have all played a determining role in making each of these cuisines unique. In A Mediterranean Feast, Wright also shows how the cuisines of the Mediterranean have been indelibly stamped with the uncompromising geography and climate of the area and a past marked by both unrelenting poverty and outrageous wealth. The book's more than five hundred contemporary recipes (which have been adapted for today's kitchen) are the end point of centuries of evolution and show the full range of culinary ingenuity and indulgence, from the peasant kitchen to the merchant pantry. They also illustrate the migration of local culinary predilections, tastes for food and methods of preparation carried from home to new lands and back by conquerors, seafarers, soldiers, merchants, and religious pilgrims. A Mediterranean Feast includes fourteen original maps of the contemporary and historical Mediterranean, a guide to the Mediterranean pantry, food products resources, a complete bibliography, and a recipe and general index, in addition to a pronunciation key. An astonishing accomplishment of culinary and historical research and detective work in eight languages, A Mediterranean Feast is required--and intriguing--reading for any cook, armchair or otherwise.

Discover the enticing and mouth-watering flavours of Mediterranean cooking with Elizabeth David's classic cookbook 'Britain's most inspirational food writer' INDEPENDENT _______ Having lived in France, Italy, the Greek islands and Egypt, Elizabeth David has perfected the art of Mediterranean cooking. In her classic cookbook she gives us hearty pasta dishes from Italy; aromatic and tangy salads from Turkey and Greece; and tasty seafood and saffron dishes from Spain. With delicious dishes including . . . - Tomato and Shellfish Soup - Greek Spinach Pie - Toulouse-Style Cassoulet - Valencian Paella - Turkish Salad Dressing - Syrian Fish Sauce . . . You will be taken on a tasting tour of the Mediterranean from your own kitchen. Whether it is the simplicity of hummus or the delicious blending of flavours found in plates of ratatouille or paella, Elizabeth David's wonderful recipes in A Book of Mediterranean Food are imbued with all the delights of the sunny south. _______ 'Not only did she transform the way we cooked but she is a delight to read' Express on Sunday 'When you read Elizabeth David, you get perfect pitch. There is an understanding and evocation of flavours, colours, scents and places that lights up the page' Guardian

Mediterranean food expert Wright presents a jaw-dropping collection of more than 500 recipes for all sorts of traditional Mediterranean appetizers, snacks, and little foods.

The New York Times–bestselling author returns with a gorgeously illustrated vegetarian cookbook that will transport you to the Mediterranean coast. For years, fans of the popular vegetarian blog Forest Feast have been transported to Erin Gleeson’s picturesque cabin in the woods through her stunning photography of magical gatherings and vibrant vegetarian cooking. Now, Gleeson transports readers to Europe, with recipes inspired by her exploration of the cultures and cuisines of France, Portugal, Spain, and Italy during an extended family trip. Reimagining the flavors and signature dishes of southern Europe, Gleeson presents 100 vegetarian recipes for creating effortless, unforgettable meals. Filled with atmospheric images of coastal villages, charming watercolor illustrations, and mouthwatering food photography, The Forest Feast Mediterranean is an irresistible escape from the everyday, no matter where you might live.

150 simply yet abundantly flavorful recipes for irresistible Mediterranean vegetarian dishes you can enjoy at home. Aglaia Kremezi, who first introduced Greek cooking to an American audience with her award-winning book The Foods of Greece, leads a cook’s tour of the entire Mediterranean with Mediterranean Vegetarian Feasts. Realizing that so many of the traditional dishes of the Mediterranean diet are naturally meat-free, Kremezi has collected 150 simple yet abundantly flavorful recipes that will appeal to even the most ardent carnivore. Opening with detailed descriptions of essential ingredients and the basic preparations that make the most of seasonal shopping at farmers’ markets, she takes us from meze and soups to mains and desserts, with dishes like Toasted Red Lentil and Bulgar Patties; Roasted Cauliflower with Zahter Relish; Pseudo-Moussaka (a meatless version of the classic); Quince Stuffed with Wheat Berries, Nuts, and Raisins; and Rose Petal and Yogurt Mousse. Kremezi’s arsenal of master recipes for spice, nut, and herb mixtures, sauces, jams, and pastes inspired by eastern Mediterranean and North African traditions transform even the humblest vegetable or grain into an irresistible dish. Praise for Mediterranean Vegetarian Feasts “Aglaia Kremezi’s fine sense of flavor and seasonality is captured in this beautiful celebration of Mediterranean cooking. In these thoughtfully considered recipes, her deep understanding of vegetables, fruits, and herbs is paired with a respect for tradition and place—and the results are universally delicious.” —Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse and author of The Art of Simple Food “A teacher, a cook, a master storyteller, and a friend: Aglaia is all of these things to me, my team, and so many others. Her generous spirit is alive in this book. And now, more than ever, her amazing look at the rich and robust vegetables at the heart of Mediterranean cooking could not be more important. Everyone wants to eat smart, healthy, and always with lots of flavor!”—José Andrés, chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup including Zaytinya, Jaleo, and The Bazaar by José Andrés

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The highly anticipated debut cookbook from the creator of The Mediterranean Dish website, with more than 120 recipes for bright and flavorful Mediterranean diet-inspired meals. “I want to cook everything in this book! It’s not just beautiful—the recipes are fresh and exciting.”—Gina Homolka, New York Times bestselling author of the Skinnytaste cookbooks What began as one of the first online Mediterranean food blogs has blossomed into the leading site for modern Mediterranean cooking and lifestyle with millions of readers—and now it is the inspiration for the long-awaited first cookbook from Suzy Karadsheh. In her cookbook, Suzy brings cross-culturally inspired dishes from throughout the Mediterranean into American home kitchens, using easy-to-find ingredients and easy-to-follow, tested-to-perfection recipes to make your meals more vibrant, delicious, and yes—even a little healthier, too! Born and raised by the sea in Port Said, Egypt, Suzy lived in Michigan and Des Moines with her family before moving to Atlanta, where she now lives. Her modern cooking reflects the rich and complex traditions of the Mediterranean and Middle East, from Greece and southern Spain to Jordan and Tunisia, as well as inspiration from her new Southern roots. Practical and weeknight-easy recipes include: Spanakopita Egg Muffins, Chicken Shawarma Bowls, Garlicky Spinach and Chickpea Soup with Lemon and Pecorino Romano, Roasted Asparagus Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil, Middle Eastern Rice Pilaf with Toasted Vermicelli and Pine Nuts, Orange-Cardamom Olive Oil Cake, and of course Homemade Pita Bread to serve with just about everything. Suzy’s winning combination of approachable instructions, reliable recipes, stunning photography, charming authentic stories, and simple assemblies is sure to thrill anyone hungry to eat healthier food that bursts with flavor and spice.

Food that originated from the Mediterranean area is incredibly popular. Pasta, pizza, gyros, kebab, and falafel can be found just about everywhere. Many people throughout the world have a good idea of what Mediterranean cuisine and diet are all about, but they know less about the entire food culture of the region. This one-stop source provides the broadest possible understanding of food culture throughout the region, giving a variety of examples and evidence from the southern Mediterranean or North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt), the Western Mediterranean or European side of the Mediterranean (Spain, France, Italy, and the French and Italian islands), to the eastern Mediterranean or Levant (Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel). The Mediterranean region region is home to three of the world's major religions, and for centuries, the Mediterranean Sea has been an invitation to trade, travel, conquest, and immigration. Where different cultures, beliefs, and traditions mix there is always volatility and tension, but there is also great energy. Understanding the food culture in the Mediterranean is one way readers can see how people of different regions come together, share ideas and information to create new dishes, meals, traditions, and forms of sociability. This volume answers questions such as Do people in the Mediterranean still eat the Mediterranean Diet or do they eat American style? Why is it that the same ingredients can be prepared in so many different ways, even in the same country? Why would cooks take the time to make foods like zucchini, lentils, or figs into dozens of different dishes? How and why do religious rituals differ regarding food preparation? What do Jews, Muslims, and Christians eat on religious holidays? Do people eat out or eat at home? Why is hospitality so important to Mediterranean people and what do they do to demonstrate hospitality and good will through the preparation and serving of meals?