Hi, I am Chef Zara. In this post, I will guide you through Lebanese Cookbooks.
I love discovering new food and cooking with friends and family. One of the most common questions that I often get is for cookbook recommendations. I have created this guide for friends, family, and new friends alike. I hope that you enjoy our site.
Lebanese Cuisine: Just what you need
Lebanon – The Pearl of the Middle East – is a small country that stretches along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. This country is famous for its well-preserved castles, historic mosques and churches, limestone caves, cedar trees, and world-class cuisine. Even those who have never been to Lebanon love to munch on its delicious and distinctive food at their local spots. But what would be better than having a cookbook at your home so you can recreate your favorite Lebanese recipes all by yourself? Keep reading to find the best Lebanese cookbooks and kick-start your culinary expedition.
Here are 10 Lebanese Cookbooks to change every meal for life!
1. Julie Taboulie’s Lebanese Kitchen
Why We Love It ❤️
This Lebanese cookbook deserves a top spot on this list because it is penned by someone who grew up eating traditional Lebanese food at home and has an immense love for the country. We highly recommend this cookbook to those who would love to throw a tremendous Lebanese feast for their meat-lover family or vegan friends, as there is a perfect recipe for everyone!
Review 📖
Julie Taboulie’s Lebanese Kitchen gives away a collection of 125 authentic Lebanese recipes. Each recipe begins with a blurb with interesting facts or a related story. The pages are peppered with stunning illustrations and cooking techniques to help you achieve finesse. Using this cookbook, you can learn to make your own multi-purpose spice blends. Moreover, this cookbook can make a fabulous gift for someone curious about exploring classic Mediterranean cuisine. They will thank you wholeheartedly!
2. My Lebanese Cookbook
Why We Love It ❤️
Next up on our list is My Lebanese Cookbook. Despite being authored by a restaurateur, this Lebanese cookbook is not so extravagant and focuses on simple, home-style dishes. It also includes many family-owned recipes by the author that give it a personal touch.
Review 📖
My Lebanese Cookbook is an absolute celebration of Lebanese food culture. Along with an exquisite collection of 80 easy-to-follow recipes, this cookbook sheds light on the history of Lebanese cuisine, the richness of Mediterranean spices and ingredients, and the importance of mezze. This cookbook also contains a glossary of Arabic terminologies and an Arabic translation of the featured recipes. There are not many pictures to give you a visual experience. However, that does not take away the quality of the recipes. The author has also provided sample menus for holidays and special occasions, which makes this book even more enticing. In short, this book will undoubtedly compel you to explore Lebanese food after thumbing through only a few pages.
3. Rose Water and Orange Blossoms
Why We Love It ❤️
Rose water and Orange blossom water are commonly used in many Lebanese desserts to add a floral aroma and sweetness. We highly recommend this ingredient-focused cookbook to all food lovers who want to enjoy authentic Middle Eastern flavors from Yemen to Palestine. By using the author’s approach, you can make the most of seasonal fruits and flowers.
Review 📖
Rose Water and Orange Blossoms is not just a Lebanese cookbook. It’s an intriguing and delectable journey. This book is a warm and welcoming guide to the aromatic world of Lebanese cooking. This cookbook consists of 100 luscious recipes, along with stunning images, the history of the dishes, and family stories. There are sidebars explaining some of the ingredients, like za’atar, which is basically a spice blend. The author has also shared some valuable tips and cooking techniques, such as how to work with grape leaves, seed a pomegranate, and peel chickpeas. If you have never come across Lebanese food before, this book would be the best place to start, as there are enough instructions for a beginner.
4. Classic Lebanese Cuisine
Why We Love It ❤️
This cookbook is authored by Chef Kamal because he is a true advocate of Lebanese cuisine and loves teaching people how to cook the food of his culture. We highly recommend it to all curious amateurs, as well as more experienced cooks.
Review 📖
Classic Lebanese Cuisine is unarguably one of the best Lebanese cookbooks out there! From Falafel to Baklava, this book consists of 170 top-notch Mediterranean recipes that are divided into five detailed chapters. Accompanied by photographs of dishes and preparation techniques, the author’s instructions have a conversational tone, which makes this book even more accessible to home cooks. The book also gives away several variations and modifications that can be made in case you don’t have a specific ingredient. We assume that this cookbook will keep you engaged for a long time.
5. Everyday Lebanese Cooking
Why We Love It ❤️
We highly recommend this traditional Lebanese cookbook to everyone who loves to enjoy delicious yet nutritional food. It highlights the health benefits of the Lebanese diet as they like to incorporate nearly all the superfoods in their meals. This cookbook will compel you to do the same and make fresh and filling dishes for your loved ones.
Review 📖
Everyday Lebanese Cooking features an exquisite collection of simple yet flavorful recipes from a traditional Lebanese household in the Chouf Mountains. Beautiful photographs accompany each recipe to help you visualize the final look of an unfamiliar Lebanese dish. There are separate sections for vegans and vegetarians and meat-based recipes. The author has also elaborated on preparing the Mezze to share food and joy with everyone. What’s more, there are some fantastic ideas to create salads and dips to enjoy with your meals.
6. A Taste of Lebanon
Why We Love It ❤️
We highly recommend A Taste of Lebanon because it is one of the oldest and the most authentic Lebanese cookbooks you can find. Recreate a recipe from this book for a Lebanese friend or colleague and it’d definitely remind them of home. Furthermore, this cookbook pays homage to the incredible diversity of Lebanese cooking.
Review 📖
Published in 1992, this old but gold cookbook features over 200 traditional Lebanese recipes, from the famous Tabbouleh and Kibbeh to the ones that the western world is still unfamiliar with. This classic Lebanese cookbook offers step-by-step instructions that will help you create a great feast without being overwhelmed. The ingredients used in the recipes can be easily obtained. While A Taste of Lebanon might not be one of the visually-attractive cookbooks out there, it’s definitely a keeper for life!
7. Saffron in the Souks
Why We Love It ❤️
This cookbook is as unique as its name. Saffron in the Souks is a well-rounded cookbook that uncovers Lebanon’s hidden culinary gems and takes you on a virtual trip from the mountains to the sea. Another reason for recommending this Lebanese cookbook is that it has been penned by a best-selling author specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Review 📖
This Lebanese cookbook has all the sweet and vibrant flavors of Mediterranean food locked up in its 192 pages. The recipes are delicious, reasonably uncomplicated, and leave room for experimenting. You can certainly snatch away some interesting ideas from this cookbook. However, the highlight of this book is the stunning photography of food, landscapes, and various cultural elements of Lebanon. The introduction gives some useful insights into the history and food culture of the country. Saffron in the Souks is a must-have for every food enthusiast.
8. Bayrut: The Cookbook
Why We Love It ❤️
Beirut – The capital city of Lebanon is also considered its gastronomic capital. It is a melting pot of different cultures and traditions. This Lebanese cookbook captures the true essence of this city. We recommend this cookbook to everyone who wants to travel to the heart of Lebanon and taste its authentic flavors.
Review 📖
Bayrut: The Cookbook consists of over 200 pages of recipes, food and travel photography, and excellent commentary by the author. This cookbook can make you see Beirut from the eyes of a tourist who is exploring its chaotic streets and mouth-watering feasts. From humble street-side carts to lively cafés, this book shows you the best icons in the city. You can learn to recreate traditional Lebanese breakfasts, salads and dips, snacks, and much more!
9. The Lebanese Kitchen
Why We Love It ❤️
Out of all the Lebanese cookbooks on this list, this one has the most recipes! If you are a newbie to Lebanese cuisine, this book is all you need. There is a lot to relish across the length and breadth of Lebanon, and this cookbook covers it all. Moreover, it is compiled by a James Beard award-winning author, Salma Hage.
Review 📖
This Lebanese cookbook is a comprehensive compilation of 500 traditional Lebanese recipes, which range from seafood and meat-based dishes to more health-friendly options. The pages of this book are artistically shaped with a delicate zigzag edge with striking images of featured recipes. It also familiarizes the readers with a range of Mediterranean spices and seasonings. The amount of knowledge and joy you can get from this cookbook is astounding. The Lebanese Kitchen is an absolute celebration of home cooking and a must-have for every Lebanese food lover.
10. A Lebanese Feast of Vegetables, Pulses, Herbs, and Spices
Why We Love It ❤️
Lastly, we have something for veggie lovers! This is the best Lebanese cookbook for those who prefer cooking with a delicious twist: beans, fresh vegetables, herbs, and pulses. We highly recommend this refreshing cookbook to everyone who is into Mediterranean cuisine.
Review 📖
A Lebanese Feast of Vegetables, Pulses, Herbs, and Spices features many nutritious Lebanese recipes that can also satisfy your taste buds. It is penned down by the author in a manner that reflects her childhood in Lebanon and her passion for cooking. The recipes are clear and simple, with ingredients that are not difficult to source. Each dish is beautifully photographed, which is a source of inspiration for readers. This Lebanese cookbook is equally enticing for non-vegetarians due to its welcoming tone and recipes for exciting mezze platters and Lebanese desserts.
Final Thoughts
From traditional home-cooked Hummus to legendary street-style Falafel, Lebanese cuisine has something for everyone. It is gradually being recognized on a global level.
Thanks to the amazing authors who have brought all the flavors and textures of Lebanon to everyone through the above-listed cookbooks. We hope that our recommendations will accompany you for a long time to come and help you prepare delicious and healthy Lebanese dishes for your friends and family.
About Lebanese Cooking: The History of Lebanese Cuisine
Lebanon has a rich and resonant history. Therefore, its gastronomy also has ancient roots. Lebanese cuisine is a harmonious blend of classic Mediterranean, Arabic, and French cuisines. The food culture in Lebanon has evolved several times over the years, as the country remained occupied by different foreign civilizations until it gained independence in 1943. During the Ottoman Empire, Lebanon was introduced to lamb, which has now become a staple in the traditional Lebanese diet. On the other hand, the French brought flan, caramel custard, and croissants.
Lebanese Food Culture, Common Ingredients, and Famous Dishes
Despite being a small country, Lebanese food greatly varies by region. The northern part of the country is famous for its sweets, whereas the eastern wing is known for its meat pastries.
The traditional Lebanese diet consists of legumes, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, olive oil, lamb, and poultry. Baba Ghanouj, Kibbeh, Hummus, Baklawa, Falafel, and Kanafeh are some of the globally renowned Lebanese dishes.
Lebanese people use a variety of fresh herbs and aromatic spices in their dishes. Bread is an important part of Lebanese cuisine and is enjoyed with almost every dish. In Lebanon, food is traditionally served in a dining style known as mezze, where an elaborate variety of 30 to 60 hot and cold dishes are served on small plates, accompanied by flatbread. The mezze is all about sharing food and joy with others.
Lastly, no dining experience in Lebanon is complete without Arak – an anise-flavored liquor that is also the country’s national beverage. Traditionally, cardamom-flavored coffee is also served at the end of a typical Lebanese meal to aid digestion.
