Pomegranates and Roses

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       November 26, 2014

 

Author  Ariana Bundy

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 978-0-85720-690-9
Publisher:         Simon & Schuster
Release Date:    

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Pomegranates and Roses is far more than just a cook book it is a culinary journey through history: through Persia, now known by the harsher name of Iran. The name Persia has, over centuries, conjured up visions of the exotic: of foods with incredible names and even more incredible tastes, of perfumes and spices and to pardon the pun all things delicious and nice.

But even though the name of the country has changed the cuisine has not. Foods enjoyed by many cultures and creeds over many centuries are rapidly moving and blending into the mainstream of modern life.

Ariani Bundy has gathered together many of the traditional dishes of her forebears, applied modern preparation techniques to many thereby saving preparation time, along with notes to explain the dish. Interspersed among the mouth-watering recipes, there are snippets of family history giving us a peek into her family’s culture, along with their lifelong love of food.

Individual recipes come with an explanation of the dish and such is the style of presentation you almost feel as if Arianiwas in the kitchen with you while you prepare the dish.

Some of the dishes are more complex than others but most of them can be prepared by simply following the instructions and understanding that at the basis of it all, it is simply, good food cooked well to produce a taste and flavour that will transport you to another world.

Pomegranates and Roses has bought a taste of more than the Middle East to the kitchen it has opened a window on families, rich cultural history and the blending of ancient with modern in today’s very multicultural world.

The problem with this wander through the kitchens of history is the choice as to whether to keep the book as a recipe book or treat it as a history book giving delightful cameo’s into a time long past. The kitchen shelf or the bookcase! Your choice!

But enjoy a dish or too from amongst the pages while you are making that decision!