I wish this had more pictures that would communicate how awesome these dishes are. I was blessed to know what each recipe looks like! Overall, it's a REALLY good cookbook with authentic recipes. I know that it is probably directed to westerns and not middle easterns, but there is no real difference between that and a local cookbook. I actually love accurate universal measurements, so I prefer this one.

Can't wait to attempt Lahma Bel Ajeen and most of the salads. :D
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While I wouldn't keep this for my shelves, I would definitely borrow it from the library again. The photos alone are worth browsing the entire book. So are the bits about Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon. Found three recipes I want to try: Tomato and Rice Soup, Baba Ghanouj, and Hummus. ( )

I'm a Claudia Roden fan and this book is the best. Beautiful to look at. Wonderful to dream about. Terrific recipes. Mesmerizing stories about countries and cuisines and history of their food habits.. ( )

Arabesque covers Morocco, Turkey and Lebanon. I still think Moroccan will be the new Thai and I have two tagines waiting to be used. I also have preserved lemons in the refrigerator. My husband is half Lebanese so we are well acquainted with Lebanese food. It is amazing how much variation in food preparation occurs even in a small area of the world. Arabesque has many juicy photographs to whet the appetite and a bit of cultural history to go with each country. Another wonderful thing about cookbooks is you cannot gain weight just looking at them.