It is a world of marvels....

{HISTORY}

Written by Lebanese-American performer, writer and author Wadeeha Atiyeh (1903-1973)  comes this magical 1960 cookbook that combines Arabian Nights folklore with traditional Middle Eastern recipes.  

In the spirit of One Thousand and One Nights, Scheherazade, the newest bride to the Sultan of Baghdad, must captivate her husband so well that he won't behead her in the morning like he has done with all his previous wives. Scheherazade has two powerful skills in her favor - her compelling storytelling and her incredible cooking skills, both of which manage to enchant the Sultan night after night so that she keeps her head each morning.

It's not often that folklore winds its way around recipes to keep readers engaged as if they were reading fiction instead of a practical cooking book full of recipes and instruction. but like Scheherazade, Wadeeha has a way of captivating readers. Told through the story of the Sultan and his bride, Wadeeha shares fun facts about Middle Eastern culture, the history of some of this region's most well-known foods and food customs as well as preparation techniques that make cooking Middle Eastern food in an American kitchen and easy albeit exotic feat.  It's a really engaging and unique format that will have book lovers and cooks hooked (just like the Sultan himself!) from the very beginning. 

Authentic, traditional recipes include Amah, Baked Stuffed Kebab, Cracked Wheat with Chick-Peas, Breakfast For A Hero, Near Eastern Rice, Eastern Vegetable Salad, Flat Bread with Sesame Seeds, Stuffed Dates, Dessert of Fresh Yellow Roses, Fava Bean Croquettes, Stuffed Cucumbers, 3-Cornered Spinach Pies, Flat Bread Salad and so many lamb recipes.

Simple, whole foods make a feast here full of Mediterranean foods with dynamic flavor pairings that highlight this part of the world's culinary landscape. 

Wadeeah emigrated from Lebanon with her family when she was a young child. Growing up in Chicago surrounded by multiple generations of her family she never forgot her rich Middle-Eastern culture. Eventually becoming a trained singer and a performer of her home country's music and dance, Wadeeh, like Scheherazade, captivated audiences around the US with her storytelling and performance art.

This cookbook hailed as an "exotic delight" upon debut, contains a strong emphasis on the power of women and the power of food when it comes to righting the world and promoting peace and happiness.  A true gem!

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Published in 1960 by Gramercy Press

- 189 pages

- Includes original dust jacket

- Gorgeously illustrated throughout by celebrated American artist John Alcorn (1935-1992)

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. This cookbook is very clean inside and out with no spots, stains, or notations. The dust jacket bears some light fading on the top edge and the spine and there are two small tears one along the top and bottom edge of the front jacket and two small tears on the back of the jacket. The coverboards are very clean and bright. The spine is tight and all pages are intact

{SIZE}

 Measures 8.25" inches (length) x 5.75" inches (width) x .75" inches (thickness)