Islamic Cookbooks: Recipes from the Muslim World

Muslims come from all over the world, from a variety of cultures and culinary traditions. It is, therefore, difficult to describe "Muslim" cuisine as a unique entity. Food from the Muslim world usually encompasses various traditions such as Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, and North African cooking. Of course, all Islamic recipes are halal and do not include alcohol or pork as ingredients. These cookbooks feature simple yet delicious recipes from the Muslim world.

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Arabian Cuisine by Anne Marie Weiss-Armush

I've owned three copies of this book and ended up giving them all away to friends who were desperately looking for this out-of-print classic. From exotic Mediterranean dishes to hearty family meals, this book allows even the novice cook to create elegant meals from the Arab world. Just follow the clear and foolproof instructions for making traditional and healthy dishes such as Stuffed Grape Leaves or Shish Kebab. You may want to pass on the more exotic entries, like Fried Locusts and Kuwaiti Lamb's Head! Grab a copy if you can find one.

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Olives, Lemons and Za'atar by Rawia Bishara

The author is a Palestinian woman who grew up in the orchards and farmlands of Nazareth, and now runs a restaurant in New York. She includes both traditional classics and modernized or experimental recipes to appeal to all palates. Options are given for those who can't access some of the specialized ingredients.

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The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, by Claudia Roden

A stunning, comprehensive update of the classic 1972 version, this hardcover book is massive: over 500 pages and 800 recipes from throughout the Middle East. Recipes include a variety of cuisines, including Turkish, North African, Iranian, and Arab cooking from the Levant region -- not all are necessarily in line with Islamic dietary law. The author makes an effort to update traditional recipes to make them more healthy and simple, though, without sacrificing flavor.

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Heavenly Bites: The Best of Muslim Home Cooking, by Karimah bint Dawood

The author is a former model and television presenter, who reverted to Islam after traveling the world and learning about various Muslim cultures. This book contains 50 diverse, multinational recipes with clear steps and enticing photographs.

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Muslim World Cookbook, by Kurter Havva

This was one of my first cookbooks, and it is a classic that has been around since the early 1970s. Nothing fancy here -- just good comfort food and clear instructions. Line drawings accompany some of the recipes, but this is not a visual presentation.

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