A Taste of Lebanon: Cooking Today the Lebanese Way: Over 200 Recipes Developed and Tested

Lebanese-born but a resident of Canada since 1952, Salloum is an enthusiastic proselytizer for her native cuisine. This collection of over 200 recipes includes familiar Middle Eastern favoriteshommous, falafil, kibbi and baklavaalong with more exotic dishes: tongue salad, meat pastries in yogurt soup, Arabic cheese and soup made from kishk (a powdered mixture of crushed wheat and yogurt). In keeping with her emphasis on home cooking that is fresh, healthful and economical, as well as delicious, Salloum identifies the meatless dishes (a minority) with subheadings and includes separate sections for poultry and fish dishes. Readers looking for an in-depth exploration of Lebanese food and culture, however, will not find it here; the book is aimed at cooks new to Middle Eastern food who will appreciate lists of basic ingredients and ``helpful hints.'' Salloum provides a short directory of sources in the U.S. for Middle Eastern ingredients, but makes ample allowance for North American tastes: beef may be substituted for lamb in many recipes, and the fillings for pita bread employ such ingredients as bean sprouts, tuna and peanut butter. Appealing photographs illustrate serving suggestions and garnishes. (Feb.)