Title:	Shuk: From Market to Table, the Heart of Israeli Home Cooking
	Author:	Einat Admony and Janna Gur
	Published:	September 17, 2019, Artisan
	No. of Pages:	368
	Cover Price:	$35.00 Hardcover, $11.99 Kindle

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Israeli food has enjoyed a surge in popularity lately, and for good reason: Israeli food is healthy as well as delicious. Shuk: From Market to Table, the Heart of Israeli Home Cookingis one of the best cookbooks to introduce cooks to Israeli cooking, as well as to * those who don’t know much about the history of the region and influences in cooking. The authors, Einat Admony and Janna Gur are both professional cooks who have written several cookbooks, and they know what they’re talking about.

A Shuk is the marketplace, and the authors speak fondly of the beautiful offerings at any given time, especially the fruits and vegetables. According to Gur, “the contemporary Israeli food scene is a fusion of the local (Levantine/Palestinian) cuisine with foods brought to Israel by Jewish immigrants (including settlers from Eastern Europe followed by a large wave of immigrants from central Europe…and hundreds of thousands of immigrants from North African and Middle Eastern countries)”.

The photographs in this beautiful cookbook are exquisite, and make it difficult to decide what to make. Israelis eat salad three times a day, including breakfast, and their salads are mouthwatering. Salads are so important in this cuisine, that there is a section outlining Israeli Salad Rules. Some favorite salads that are in the queue are the basic Israeli Salad which is suitable for serving with any meal, Israeli or not, as well as Orange and Olive Salad with Harissa Vinaigrette, Cauliflower Tabbouleh with Crunchy Seeds, and Autumn Salad with Farro, Apple, and Roasted Persimmons. There are side dishes, soups, main dishes, and desserts, some made with exotic ingredients, and some with ingredients already in our cupboards. The Shakshuka recipe is delicious, and the Orange Blossom–Scented Roast Chicken and Potatoes is suitable for just family or guests. Another favorite is Hummus with Spiced Beef.

After reading this book, it is probably a good idea to make a trip to a Middle Eastern grocery to pick up any unusual ingredients needed for the dishes you’ve chosen. Then, you’ll be able focus on the easy-to-follow recipes and turn out picture-perfect dishes. There is something here for everyone, and it is a cookbook that will inspire cooks, from beginning to advanced.

Highly recommended, this book makes a good gift and especially a good addition to a cookbook collection.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.