Scents and Flavors: A Syrian Cookbook (Library of Arabic Literature, 63)

Description

Delectable recipes from the medieval Middle East This popular thirteenth-century Syrian cookbook is an ode to what its anonymous author calls the “greater part of the pleasure of this life,” namely the consumption of food and drink, as well as the fragrances that garnish the meals and the diners who enjoy them. Organized like a meal, Scents and Flavors opens with appetizers and juices and proceeds through main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Apricot beverages, stuffed eggplant, pistachio chicken, coriander stew, melon crepes, and almond pudding are seasoned with nutmeg, rose, cloves, saffron, and the occasional rare ingredient such as ambergris to delight and surprise the banqueter. Bookended by chapters on preparatory perfumes, incenses, medicinal oils, antiperspirant powders, and after-meal hand soaps, this comprehensive culinary journey is a feast for all the senses. With the exception of a few extant Babylonian and Roman texts, cookbooks did not appear on the world literary scene until Arabic speakers began compiling their recipe collections in the tenth century, peaking in popularity in the thirteenth century. Scents and Flavors quickly became a bestseller during this golden age of cookbooks and remains today a delectable read for cultural historians and epicures alike. An English-only edition. Review: Important cookbook! - This is an amazing cookbook if you like the history of cooking. This book is a journey you will need your phone and Google for some of the ingredients. But it is very worth it for what is in there. In many ways it is like the old Betty crocker cookbooks where you have one main recipe and then several variations. This is not really a cookbook for a beginner cook. And you get some commentary from the writer of the recipes and that is always helpful. Review: Medieval Persian Food - Very interesting collection of recipes from food to incense to soap. You can still find the ingredients online or at an international grocery store.