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'In this book, I bring to life the stories behind the recipes, exploring the culture behind the ingredients and the poetry of their stories through a playful translation of language. It is a fusion of words and food; a cultural education.
'Each recipe in this collection is inextricably linked to a memory or story from my colourful past; from watching a Lebanese neighbour cooking tomato paste on woodfire to exchanging recipes with my friends at college. My food expands the repertoire of Lebanese cooking by importing from the multicultural melting pot of contemporary London.
'This is a celebration of seasonal fresh produce, family connections and friendships, and takes you back to basics. Something as simple as "Baked Potato with Kibbeh Spice" is a celebration of ingredients, flavour, and rural village life. This is food to nourish, to share, to enjoy, and to show the healing power that good food has on our lives.'
Mervat Chahine
About the author
Mervat Chahine's passion for cooking derives from her traditional upbringing in Lebanon within a community full of love and admiration for food. Her studies in translation developed a fascination with language and storytelling and opened the doors to a variety of new recipes. After Mervat moved to London, as food became a cultural currency, she connected colleagues and friends, and commenced a culinary adventure.
