Middle Eastern Basics : 70 Recipes Illustrated Step by Step

The My Cooking Class Series takes a refreshing approach to learning the art of home cooking. The recipes are presented in complete visual sequences from start to finish, and every ingredient and every step is shown from above in full color so it's as true to life as possible -- just like a real cooking course. Written instructions accompany each recipe, and specialized tasks, such as making homemade pasta, are clearly demonstrated. Variations, notes and glossaries are welcome additions to each "class."

My Cooking Class replicates a professional cooking course and will transform how home cooks learn to prepare dishes and meals. Every ingredient, pot, pan and tool is shown, not just described, making this new visual cookbook format deliciously simple.

Food from the Middle East is popular for its unique taste and, perhaps more importantly, its healthy ingredients. These dishes sing with earthy spices, tomato, parsley, lemon and honeyed fruits, and a country index shows the origin of each recipe.

Some of the well-loved favorites are:

• Hummus

• Couscous

• Pilaf

• Tabbouleh

• Lentil soup

• Lamb stew

There are also dishes that are staples in the Middle East but less well-known here, such as:

• Lamb harira

• Fish pastilla

• Chicken and almond tajine

• Cheese pitas

• Iranian rice cakes

• Radish salad

• Seasoned fava beans

The 80 recipes in Middle Eastern Basics are the backbone of authentic Middle Eastern cooking, and each is easy to make at home.

Marianne Magnier-Moreno is a culinary consultant to the restaurant trade. She lives in Paris, France.