Though the combinations of cultures and cuisines in Jerusalem can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the area's rich history, Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi posit that this confusion is "Jerusalem in a nutshell: very personal, private stories immersed in great culinary traditions that often overlap and interact in unpredictable ways." In Jerusalem: A Cookbook, the duo set out to discover their unique but shared food histories (Ottolenghi is Jewish; Tamimi is Palestinian), exploring both traditional recipes and modern takes on classic dishes. Recipes for standbys such as falafel and maqluba (an oversized savory cake) stand comfortably next to updated versions of old dishes like cardamom rice pudding with pistachios and rose water. With a luxurious cover and decadent photography throughout, Jerusalem: A Cookbook is more than just a collection of recipes: it is an invitation to explore the area through its delicacies, encountering the tastes and flavors of a place often overlooked in the culinary world. --Kerry McHugh, blogger at Entomology of a Bookworm