[.ca] Mediterranean Street Food: Stories, Soups, Snacks, ... (ISBN 0060195967)

Every recipe I've tried has been delicious:
I work in Dearborn, Michigan, home to 30,000 people of Arab origin. I therefore often eat authentic cuisine from that part of the Mediterranean and all the recipes I've tried from this book stand up to what I find on the streets (OK, in the restaurants) here. I'm also lucky that I can go to a local Arab grocery and easily find some of the specialty items she uses, like preserved lemons. You don't need that, though, to succeed with her recipes. You can even buy your spices at the grocery, but, really, wouldn't you rather get the quality stuff from Penzey's? The Turkish seasoned kabobs (p. 158) are now one of my sumer grilling specialties. I pair them with the feta cheese salad (p. 33) and a crisp rose or sauvignon blanc. Try the garlic sauce ("Thum") on p. 72, but understand that she's right when she says "...it will make you a social leper for a day or two afterward." The garlic exudes from your pores, but oh, it was delicious going in!

Absolutely First Rate:
This book is a gem. The idea behind it is so smart -- to focus on all those great snacks and street foods they sell in Italy, France, Spain, Turkey and elsewhere on the Mediterranean. The author really brings both the region and the cuisine to life. The recipes sound great and I look forward to using the book as a reference. But, as important to me, the book captures all the excitement, the flavors and rhythms of life in the Mediterranean. I couldn't recommend this book more highly.

A culinary adventure:
I love that for a novice cook there are enough simple recipes that I am not completely intimadated.The author takes us on an adventure that you can taste and smell through the pages of this book. I only wish that the pictures were in color. They would be as rich in texture and feeling as the writing. The authors love of her subject comes through and I am definitely going to prepare a few of the dishes. It's given me a reason to create my own culinary adventure.

A treasure: the complex flavors make extraordinary dishes:
If you are looking for great tasting dishes and are not afraid to use the exotic combinations of spices you will have fablous kebabs. The salads are fablous the Grilled Pepper and Tomato is so easy to make and the flavors complex. For a real treat try the watermelon pudding with jasmine water. It is so refreshing. I've had 2 dinner parties featuring the recipes from this book. The guests loved the complex and diverse flavors and textures. Keep this handy for travels and for the barbeque.