Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food | Fadi Kattan

Bethlehem, one of the world's most storied cities, comes alive in this loving tribute by chef Fadi Kattan. Fadi's family has lived on these lands for generations, and their story is one of resilience, community, and deep roots. Food is at the centre of family life, from the daily breakfasts of still warm kmaj bread, rich labaneh, and quince jam, to elaborate Christmas celebrations featuring the spiced wheat porridge burbara, slow-cooked fragrant spiced lamb and rice qidreh, and plenty of Christmas cakes to give and to eat.

Conjuring the colours and smells of this ancient city, with its bakeries, spice shops, and butchers, Fadi then takes readers to the surrounding region, to meet local farmers and artisans; the desert oasis of Jericho, producing renowned salt harvested from the Dead Sea; the agricultural hub of lush and verdant Artas; the orange groves of Jaffa; the street vendors of Nablus; and Sebastia, a tiny hilltop village dating back to the Iron Age where some of the most flavourful olive oil is made.

Accompanying these profiles are over 60 recipes, some passed down, some of Fadi's improvisation: cheese-stuffed grape leaves, pickled olives, slow roasted lamb seasoned with fenugreek and cardamom, labaneh with nigella seeds, braised chard with tahinia, and a fragrant milk pudding. Fadi holds these stories, foods, people, and places tenderly, and amidst growing chaos and strife, the legacy of this ancient city endures.