Complete Arab Cookery

The basis of society in Arabia, especially in the south, was agriculture – cereals, aromatics and spices were produced and exported via the caravan routes which passed from Syria through Arabia to the Yemen. Thus Arab dishes are subtle, varied and exotic. The basic diet largely comprised, and still does, dates, rice, milk, goat or lamb meat and coffee.

The patchwork of peoples and countries that form this medley comprise dishes from Egypt – some of the oldest recipes in the world such as mel...