Everyday Lebanese Cooking by Mona Hamadeh

In the historically conflict-troubled country of Lebanon, one thing that unites the nation is its passion for food. In Everyday Lebanese Cuisine, author Mona Hamadeh introduces us to the simple and healthy food of the middle-eastern country, delving into the culinary delights of a nation that was initially inspired by that of the Ottoman Empire.

Born in the Shouf Mountains to the South-East of Beirut, then moving to the city at a young age, the highlight of Mona’s early life was always returning to the countryside. A trip to her rural birthplace meant that she would be greeted by happy smiles, generous hospitality and a plethora of home-grown healthy food.

Community is a huge part of Lebanese life, and Mona gives us a taster of the country’s sharing culture by introducing us to Maza. To be eaten at the beginning of a meal, these tasty treats share more of an affinity with Spanish tapas than regular starters. Mona lists some fantastic snacks for dipping and picking, spooning and sharing, all of which easy to prepare.

In this beautifully photographed and simply arranged cookbook there is a strong emphasis on vegetables and pulses, meaning that many dishes are vegetarian friendly. In fact, there is an entire section dedicated to using these alone as a basis for main dishes and the suggestions are surprisingly varied. There are many exciting dishes that incorporate all sorts of meat, fish and poultry too, and the unconventional heavy use of garlic and onions may at first seem a little heavy handed, but the way they are incorporated into the recipes is with deftest of touches.

Mona has shown us through creating this book that despite its political instability, at its heart Lebanon is simply a country bathed in sunlight, with beautiful terrain, blessed with loving people and most importantly filled with delicious, light and fresh recipes.