Eating and drinking in the family circle or with friends, hospitality, rituals, and feast days have been central themes in Middle Eastern texts since time immemorial; whether in pre-Islamic Arabic poetry, the Quran, or the hadith. Many examples of cooking can be found in the vast collections of Arabic, Persian or Turkish proverbs. When talking about food, people can relax, compare their observations in what they think about a new restaurant, or discuss new dishes. It is an opportunity for women to brag about their home skills. This book is an interesting narrative from a Western perspective, looking at various aspects of food and cooking in the Middle East in general, and Arab cuisine in particular.