Revue de presse
“It’s rare for me to read a cookbook cover to cover, but a trip to Veggiestan (a fictional region including Turkey, the Levant, and Middle East) while sitting in bed with a cup of mint tea, was irresistible. Knowledgeable as all get out, Ms. Butcher is a London-based food writer who, with her husband, runs the renowned Persepolis- a Middle Eastern food store where her enthusiasm and tenacity is in no short supply. This comes bursting through the pages of her new book- transforming scholarly authenticity into joy. And while you will find many vegetarian recipes from Turkey, the array of recipes from elsewhere in Veggiestan is dazzling in their scope and in their use of exotic (but findable) ingredients.” -- ―Huffington Post
“Novice and experienced chefs who have little interest in Middle Eastern vegetarianism should, nevertheless, read this book by the author of ‘Persia in Peckham’, Butcher’s tongue-in-cheek personal narrative is simply irresistible. Her more than 130 recipes yield, in addition to giggles, a great deal of wisdom. Side bars on such subjects as street food from Marrakesh to Iran, olives, and pantry items are all educational and occasionally eye-opening. Not only is almost every recipe accompanied by elegant color photographs, but each recipe features enough patter to coax anyone into the ‘try it, you’ll like it’ mindset. The range is enticing, from naan, beet and orange salad, and fried-egg pita pockets to carrot and cardamom soup, Middle Eastern ratatouille, and fig jam with chopped pistachios.” -- ―Booklist
"Sally Butcher’s Persepolis: Vegetarian Recipes from Persia and Beyond (Interlink, $35) is written in the engaging voice of a knowledgeable enthusiast who feels free to play with her food. She offers traditional techniques and flavors where she believes they’ll do the most good—sour orange in a bulgur pilaf, saffron and kefir in an Azerbaijani soup — but she’s also willing to put Marmite in the hummus and sweet potatoes in the falafel. Her recipe for moutabal —“baba ghanoush’s first cousin”—outshines by a mile the more familiar eggplant dip, thanks to mint, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses.” -- ―The New York Times on Persepolis
“In the book’s introduction, Butcher (New Middle Eastern Street Food) immerses readers in the history and language of salads. After explaining terms, such as salleting (to make salads) and salmagundi (a 17th-century English salad), the author shares international recipes for salads that can be served traditionally, as finger food, or in creative vessels (e.g. hollowed-out fruits and vegetables, scallop shells). For Butcher, few ingredients are off limits; she crafts salads from familiar lettuces, vegetables, legumes, grains, and meats but also uses edible flowers, foraged plants, and sophisticated dressings (e.g. pesto made from ‘pert baby nettles,’ tarragon-infused vinegar). VERDICT Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a winning appetizer, a super healthy meal, or a refreshing fruit dessert, Butcher’s latest will have you covered… a great gift for salad lovers” -- ―Library Journal, starred review of Salmagundi
“Focusing mainly on Middle Eastern snacks and street food, Butcher’s book features some 100 easy recipes that appeal to all ages, appetites and adventure levels… As both a seasoned author and owner of celebrated Persian grocer Persepolis in London, Butcher clearly knows her way around kebabs and mezzes.” -- ―New York Post on New Middle Eastern Street Food
“Butcher’s boundless enthusiasm is contagious and beautifully displayed in her new collection of over 100 dishes, all clearly explained and vividly photographed. Her signature wit and humor make this book fun, and is sure to motivate home cooks to get into the kitchen to whip up exotic Middle Eastern fare from all over the globe.” -- ―Publishers Weekly on New Middle Eastern Street Food
Biographie de l'auteur
Sally Butcher is the fiery-haired proprietress of the notable Persian food store and cafe Persepolis in London, which she runs with her Persian husband, Jamshid. She is author of Persia in Peckham, The New Middle Eastern Vegetarian, New Middle Eastern Street Food, and Salmagundi: A Celebration of Salads from around the world. When Sally is not running her store, she blogs and tweets prolifically and has amassed a devoted online following.
