Liz and Max are the photographic duo Haarala Hamilton specialising in capturing food, people and places. They are two people: Liz, the one with the funny name, is the Haarala; and Max, the one with the funny hair, is the Hamilton.

A lovingly-written homage to the enchanting dishes of the Middle East. Sabrina Ghayour takes the reader on her magic carpet to the ancient and beautiful lands of rose-scented sherbets... and to a table of abundant feasts, and of honeyed and spiced delights. What a fantastic treasure trove of good food! If you want to eat like an Arabian knight, then start here... but be sure to stock up on cinnamon, cumin and coriander...--Raymond Blanc

Sabrina Ghayour is a phenomenal Persian chef.--Gizzi Erskine

Sabrina cooks the kind of food I love to eat: lots of flavors distilled out of love and generosity. In this book Sabrina demystifies the use of spices. The Eastern promise is definitely delivered in her book and it will have a place on the shelves of my kitchen.--Bruno Loubet

Sabrina Ghayour; the talented chef, food writer and instructor offers over 100 delicious and relatively easy to prepare Middle Eastern dishes in this outstanding collection sure to appeal to vegetarians and carnivores in equal measure... this is an outstanding collection that will surely win readers over and inspire many a meal. Color photos.

This is Ottolenghi with rocket fuel.

The loveliest cookbook I've seen in a very long time.

The most exciting debut cookbook of the year.

Sabrina, a self-taught cook, food writer and supper club host, is on a mission to make the flavours of the Middle East accessible. Her recipes are essentially Persian but with influences from Turkish, Arab and Armenian cuisines.

"With this stunning collection of approachable Middle Eastern recipes, the author dispels the notion that Persian, Turkish, Arab, and Armenian cuisines are too complicated for home cooks. In six chapters overflowing with photos of vibrantly sauced and garnished foods, she presents small plates, breads, salads, desserts, and other dishes that can be served individually or as part of a feast. VERDICT: In a word, outstanding"

"The arrival of her first book, Persiana: Recipes from the Middle East & Beyond, is a boon to those who long to serve their guests bountiful dishes of exotic, glamorous, unfamiliar food with a casual "I-just-threw-this-together" ...They'll be clamouring for more. And this book, unlike some others, has photographs that show the food clearly"