Palestine on a Plate: Memories from my mother's kitchen

Anyone who knows me knows I love my cook books. I followed Joudie Kalla career for a while and always loved her cooking. She made recipes easy for everyone, complicated dishes were made easy. So I was waiting for her book. As I am living abroad it wasnt easy to get a copy of the book but I did what I never thought I would do, I downloaded it on my ipad. I just couldn't wait for someone to come visit to bring me a copy. This must be one of the best cook books I own, from the pictures to the recipe choices.. However with any cookbook the real test is trying a recipe and seeing if it actually turns out the way its ment to. First I tried the tahini brownie, and it was amazing, the only negative comment about this recipe is the waiting, it just doesnt seem fair to wait an hour before cutting into this amazing smelling brownie. Oh but its soo worth the wait. Every recipe I tried was a success. This book is a definite keeper. Thank you Joudie for an amazing book and for reminding us of our heritage and the amazing history behind our country.

This is a beautiful recipie book. I know nothing of Palestinian cooking, but my wife and I enjoy Turkish and Moroccan cooking, so this looked interesting. It is well illustrated - mouthwateringly so - and the recipies are generally pretty straightforward. They are encouraingly British in their measurements - no annoying "cups" which disappointingly appear in many otherwise promising international cookbooks. What is more we are given both metric and imperial measures (there are some of us who still use the latter in the kitchen). But what really impressed me was the opening chapter. No recipies here, but lots of informtion about all of the ingredients that would otherwise be unfamilar. This is really useful, and well and engagingly written - and a great starting point for experimentation beyond the contents of the book. I really cannot fault this in any way.

Bought as a Christmas present for my partner, we have made a number of the tasty recipes. The background to the writer’s cooking experience and the influence of her mother, aunt and grandmother fill this book with charm and interest. Beautifully photographed and full of useful tips and stories it’s a lovely thing to have.

I was lucky enough to attend one of Joudie's supper clubs and was blown away by her cooking. It was there that I heard of the upcoming release of this book, so I preordered it and couldn't wait for its arrival. I had been looking for a Palestinian cook book since I had returned from a trip to the West Bank and having sampled some of the best food I had ever eaten. I have not been disappointed! The dishes are wonderful and the combination of wonderful flavours and also the simplicity of some of the recipes make it a kitchen staple. I am happily working my through the dishes and have been impressing friends who come for dinner with Joudie's recipes. A great book!

very few basic recipes but really good and easy to follow

I bought this alongside a couple of books by Sabrina Ghayour and I cannot recommend it enough. I spent the first week pouring over the pages - each recipe looked so inviting, tasty & easy to follow. I made a huge Christmas buffet using the recipes of these books (I'd say far more in keeping with tradition to the celebration of Christ, all things considered). Each and every recipe was as I thought: easy to follow and delicious. Ingredients are easy to find and inexpensive. Oh, and it's all healthy, as you'd expect it to be (Mediterranean / Middle Eastern). I usually go to cook books for inspiration and tend to change recipes according to what I have in the house, and often adding more spice etc. These recipes are perfect as they are.

As far as cookery books go, this is one of the best I have read. I'm new to Middle Eastern cooking so the beautifully shot photographs do also give a real character of what your final dish should look like. The recipes are beautifully written and followed with ease. Having tried a few dishes I have to say I have been super impressed. If the ingredients aren't close to hand there is a list of suppliers from where you can get them. Such a beautiful book, one I will use over and and over again and something all my friends can expect as a gift in the upcoming future!

OMG! I have so much to write but firstly, let me start on the important fact about the recipes! THEY’RE HEALTHY AS WELL AS INDULGENT!!! The amazing author Ukhti Joudie Kalla has present the true flavours of Palestine. What I like is there is no change to suit the pallets of diners or cooks who have never tried the flavours. It’s pure and rustic and she has also put in elements to the dishes that make you through taste feel the sense of what Palestinians love on. Being a British Bangladeshi, our foods have a lot of Vegeterian, fish and meat dishes however they are the main appeal to the dish with the vegetables being the compliment to it. In a Palestinian dish, vegetables are the main showstoppers with meats and poultry being the accessory in flavour. When we look at Palestine now, majority think, oh no how do they live, blah blah. But.. they have hearts as bigger than any Nawaab or Queens as they share their food and through the food, you feel the love. Joudie Kalla has amazed me. To be honest I was looking for Palestinian and Syrian cookbooks and have bought some from the US although I really wished someone from the UK would make one, God heard my wish and in 3 months time this book came out (have it on iBook too). Dishes like Makloubeh, musakkan, malfouf are amazingly full of flavour, who would have thought stuffed cabbages can be eaten like somosas? Makloubeh is an upside down rice dish with layered vegetable and meat ( the mother to a Persian Tahdig and Desi Biryani). People review only buy how they judge a cookbook but if you cook, remember, estimation and flavours are always different in the taste of every pallet so alter to taste. Long live the Palestinians!

Since when I bought this book, I am a good friend of the kitchen, the book is full of delicious recipes, very visual and stimulating. Totally recommended!

What a treasure to find. Rarely do I find books that when you follow the instructions come out as the picture! the flavours are amazing , simple to find and versatile . Also adaptable to different proteins.

I don't know how you managed to publish such a high-quality book and sell it for so little. I feel like I'm stealing. Okay, now that that's out of the way... My book arrived yesterday. As soon as I saw the quality, I washed and dried my hands, sat down in a comfortable place, and treated the work of art with the respect and reverence it deserves. This book is a feast for the eyes. The recipes are laid out beautifully, and because of the quality of the paper and binding, the entire book is easy to use as well. It is substantial at over an inch thick. There are too many details and special touches to point out, so I will just say they all moved me. The blue tile pattern on the inside of the cover is so familiar and welcoming. So many familiar dishes, all beautifully displayed and described. My senses are still trying to take it all in. The photography is stunning. The quality and staging of each dish is unequaled. The illustrative photos represent the welcoming traditions of all Palestinians, no matter where we are perched in the world; they are ever-present and irrepressible. Thank you to everyone who had a hand and heart in bringing this book to life.

Wow, what a lovely book, inspiring and colorful recipes. A few Lebanese recipes are also included. Wonderful foods with nice pictures, and easy to follow instructions. I love this book!

I have only read the sample of this book so far and I really enjoyed it. Too expensive for me at this time to purchase but I look forward to one day enjoying the recipes it contains.