Lugma

Who’s the author? Noor Murad is a chef, recipe developer and food writer born in Bahrain and trained in New York. She’s now based in London where she went on to become the head of the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, developing recipes for cookbook classics Falastin and Ottolenghi FLAVOUR as well as co-authoring the Test Kitchen’s Shelf Love and Extra Good Things.

Her own recipes reflect the food she grew up with and shared with her Arab father and English mother. As well as featuring in publications such as The Guardian and The New York Times, Noor has made live cooking appearances on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen.

What’s it about? Lugma, meaning ‘bite’ in Arabic, references Noor’s background and process in tasting her way to that perfect flavour combination. But it’s also about generosity and abundance, and the sheer variety of delicious food Noor loves to share with family and friends. With over 100 recipes, this beautiful book takes you on a journey from the herb-rich food of the Levant, through the elegant rice dishes of the Gulf states to the far reaches of India and its array of spices.

En route, you’ll discover the foods that shaped her palate, beautifully reimagined for the modern kitchen. Imbued with a sense of place, this is cooking from the heart – recipes with big, bold flavours and a good helping of fascinating life stories.

Recipes we love: Spring Time Fattoush and Stuffed Baby Aubergines, Slow-cooked Fenugreek Lamb with Pickled Chillies, and Pistachio Cake with Labneh.

Perfect for: Anyone with a sense of adventure who is looking for Middle Eastern recipes, both traditional and modern, to share with loved ones.