An enthralling and intimate collection of essays and over 75 recipes that explores the history
of eight countries to understand the impact of war on a culture’s cuisine and food system from
the James Beard Award–winning author of In Bibi’s Kitchen. Countries dealing with major
conflict are rarely portrayed in a well-rounded light by the media. Images of disarray and
decline saturate their narratives ignoring the strength resourcefulness and ingenuity that
arise from having to navigate conflict. Hawa Hassan brings us into these multifaceted
narratives for eight countries from around the world. Each chapter is devoted to a different
country and opens with an informative essay on the culture and the foodways. Recipes follow
highlighting indigenous ingredients and share intimate portraits of the people preserving food
culture including food from: • Afghanistan such as Bolani (Stuffed Flatbread) and Borani
Banjan (Stewed Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt) • Democratic Republic of Congo such as Chikwanga
(Cassava Flour Cake) and Pondu (Cassava Leaf Stew) • Egypt such as Ta’ameva (Fava Bean
Fritters) and Ghoraybah (Shortbread Cookies) • El Salvador such as Sopa de Res (Beef Shank
Soup) and Pupusas con Curtido (Filled Masa Flatbreads with Cabbage Slaw) • Iraq such as
Shorbat (Lentil Soup) and Bamia (Lamb and Okra Stew) • Lebanon such as Malouf (Stuffed
Cabbage Rolls) and Mouhamara (Spicy Walnut and Red Pepper dip) • Liberia such as Ground
Peanut Soup and Kala (Sweet Fried Dough) • Yemen such as Saltah (Lamb Stew with Fenugreek
Fruth) and Zhoug Setting a Place for Us returns some agency to the people whose stories up
until now have been ignored in the media and sheds light on the important work of preserving
recipes and food traditions in places of conflict and migration.
