The city of Jerusalem may be "an intricate, convoluted mosaic of peoples," as Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi describe in the introduction to their new cookbook. But they are also quick, and very insistent, to state that this doesn't mean that there isn't a sense of cohesive local cuisine. There are threads that bind the diverse and layered foods of this city closely togetherthe flavor of lemon juice, the presence of pickled vegetables on a table, an extra drizzle of olive oil, figs, pomegranates, apricots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Jerusalem is as much a map as it is a cookbook, and following it leads to some very unexpected places.
Quick Facts
Who wrote it: Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
Who published it: Ten Speed Press
Number of recipes: 120 recipes
Recipes for right now: Chermoula Eggplant with Bulgur and Yogurt; Roasted Cauliflower and Hazelnut Salad; Wheat Berries and Swiss Chard with Pomegranate Molasses; Lamb-Stuffed Quince with Pomegranate and Cilantro; Braised Eggs with Lamb, Tahini, and Sumac; Semolina, Coconut, and Marmalade Cake; Spice Cookies.
Other highlights: Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi are in a unique position to write this cookbook. They are both insiders, having spent their childhoods in different parts of the city, and outsiders who have now spent more time away from Jerusalem than in it. They know the flavors and dishes of this city in their bones, but they also have enough perspective to write about them in a way that speaks to those of us who have never been there. The fact that Ottolenghi and Tamimi had different cultural upbringings also adds richness and depth to the stories and recipes in this book.
Turning a page in this cookbook is like turning a corner and discovering a new restaurant or street vendor or tea shop. Each recipe is more enticing and crave-inducing than the last. And the authors are totally right: each individual recipe is as unique as a fingerprint, but if you step back and look at the collection as a whole, there is a clear sense of cohesiveness.
I have only had the chance to make one dish so far, the Burnt Eggplant with Garlic, Lemon, and Pomegranate Seeds. It is a completely simple dish with surprisingly complex flavors. I'm making it again tonight. And I have no doubt that I will be making many more dishes from this book in the coming weeks and months.
Who would enjoy this book? Would it be cheating to say "everyone"?! I really do think that there is something in this book to appeal to each of us. Once you find one recipe that needs to be made right this instant, it's easy to find another....and another...and another.
Find the book at your local library, independent bookstore, or Amazon: Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi
More Ottolenghi on The Kitchn: Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi: Cookbook Review and Recipe
(Images: Emma Christensen)
Ottolenghi: The Cookbook: Yotam Ottolenghi,Sami Tamimi ... "The stage is set for a new era of simple pleasure . . . The philosophy of serving food that is not industrialized is a joy to behold . . . [There is] beauty in the ... Yotam Ottolenghi's Jerusalem: meat recipes Life and style The ... Beef and lamb meatballs, lamb shawarma and roast chicken with jerusalem artichokes recipes by Yotam Ottolenghi Jerusalem (Book) by Sami Tamimi, et al. (2012): Waterstones.com Synopsis. Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi are the men behind the bestselling Ottolenghi: The Cookbook. Their chain of restaurants is famous for its innovative ... Jerusalem: Amazon.co.uk: Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi: Books The long-awaited third cookbook from Yotam Ottolenghi About the Author Yotam Ottolenghi completed a Masters degree in philosophy and literature whilst working on the ... Ottolenghi - The cookbook It took us, Yotam and Sami, a whole year, and many hours of testing and tasting to put together our first collection of recipes. The Cookbook, finally out on the 1st ... Jerusalem: A Cookbook: Yotam Ottolenghi,Sami Tamimi: 9781607743941 ... A collection of 120 recipes exploring the flavors of Jerusalem from the New York Times bestselling author of Plenty, one of the most lauded cookbooks of 2011. Ottolenghi - Home From our little kitchens underneath the shops, using an abundance of fresh produce and an outrageous attitude to cooking, Ottolenghi offers a unique culinary ... Yotam Ottolenghi interview: 'If I didn't use more unusual ... Yotam Ottolenghi interview: 'If I didn't use more unusual ingredients, people wouldn't read me' How Yotam Ottolenghi built a restaurant empire and became a ... Ottolenghi: The Cookbook: Amazon.co.uk: Sami Tamimi, Yotam ... Britain's most eagerly awaited cookbook ( The Guardian ) Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi...are purveyors of some of the city's most beautiful food. In this sleek ... Jerusalem (Ebury Press) : Hardback : Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi ... Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi are the men behind the bestselling Ottolenghi: The Cookbook. Their chain of restaurants is famous for its innovative flavours ...
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