Third Culture Cooking: Classic Recipes for a New Generation by Zaynab Issa

In my last cookbook review of Boustany by Sami Tamimi, I wrote that the work just did not speak to me. Today’s review of Third Culture Cooking by Zaynab Issa definitely does.

About the book:

Third Culture Cooking is American Cooking: Delicious everyday multicultural recipes, borrowing from our parents and their parents’ homes, melding . . . → Read More: Third Culture Cooking: Classic Recipes for a New Generation by Zaynab Issa

Gatsby’s Speakeasy: a little adult board book

I’m taking a break today from the  “best of“ lists to highlight a cute little book.

I got Gatsby’s Speakeasy for a gift at Christmas and I laughed out loud because it reminded me of a children’s board book. It’s been on display on my kitchen shelf since then. It’s a cute little book . . . → Read More: Gatsby’s Speakeasy: a little adult board book

A Spinach Dip to celebrate Boustany by Sami Tamimi

I’m still reviewing books that made “best of“ cookbook lists in 2025. Today I’m reviewing Boustany: A celebration of vegetables from my Palestine by Sami Tamimi.

About the book:

A homage to Palestinian food and culture, Boustany, is the first solo cookbook from Sami, a champion of Palestinian food and culture.

Boustany translates . . . → Read More: A Spinach Dip to celebrate Boustany by Sami Tamimi

Tempted by Love: Movies & Munchies February Film

Wendy from A Day in the Life on a Farm is hosting this month’s Movies & Munchies feature.

It’s February. The love month. Tempted by Love was the perfect movie for that. It’s a Terry McMillian “presents” movie so I had high hopes because I have enjoyed her books and adapted-from films like How . . . → Read More: Tempted by Love: Movies & Munchies February Film

Prompt 3

 Here is my third foray with the writing exercise prompts from Bite by Bite and Aimee Nezhukumatathil.

Spice is nice: What is your favorite spice? Coriander? Cardamom? Cumin? Look up the healing properties and/or folklore of that spice and create a scene where a character uses that spice to heal someone.

Well, this is . . . → Read More: Prompt 3

What I’ve been reading…

I started this monthly post in January, basically because I was doing a lot more reading than posting. I decided to keep it up.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

I’m not a big thriller reader but I did enjoy this audio book. I thought the different POVs really helped the plot along. . . . → Read More: What I’ve been reading…

Prompt 2

I’m continuing with a writing exercise prompted by Bite by Bite and Aimee Nezhukumatathil.

Prompt 2:

Taste the rainbow: write a poem or lyric essay in seven segments, with each segment of the piece representing a food color of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

What is the food rainbow . . . → Read More: Prompt 2

Linger: Salads, Sweets and Stories to Savor by Hetty Lui McKinnon

I’m playing catch up with some of the “best of” cookbooks from 2025. Hetty Lui McKinnon has done it again with Linger.

About the book:

ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF 2025: The Washington Post, The Strategist, Bon Appétit, The Boston Globe, Slate, Serious Eats, and Saveur“Hetty McKinnon doesn’t write great vegetarian recipes, she just writes great recipes.”

—Nigella LawsonIn her . . . → Read More: Linger: Salads, Sweets and Stories to Savor by Hetty Lui McKinnon

Prompt 1

I’m challenging myself. I am going to try my hand at writing responses to the prompts Aimee Nezhukumatathil includes in the back of Bite by Bite. . . . → Read More: Prompt 1

Bite by Bite for Cook the Books

Snowmageddon hit so I wasn’t able to make it to the store for my preferred recipe to highlight this book. But, I did have everything to make chicken curry. . . . → Read More: Bite by Bite for Cook the Books