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Salamanti, translated to mean “Cheers” in Persian, is exactly that – a gorgeous and cheering montage of beautiful recipes, bursting with seasonal flavor, herbs, and vegetables, welcoming the reader into a mouth-watering world of Persian cooking, where each meal is a deeply-rooted communal experience, as much a gateway to far-away-lands as it is a simple welcome home.

The author, a Persian chef who was forced to flee Iran for the safer haven provided by Australia, has created in these pages a heart-felt homage to the food and tastes of his homeland, in this lovingly-layered book which is not only gorgeous, but packed with so many recipes this reader wanted to try that in no time at all I found myself bookmarking every page.

Overflowing with photos featuring color, textures, garnishes and finishes on steaming plates, each looking more delicious than the last, accented by heavenly-herbed-and-spiced dips and sauces, flatbreads, crispy-bottomed saffron-rice and pulses, all laid out to share, – this reader found much to learn, and much to love in a cuisine destined to become a family favorite.

Here are a few selected must-tries – (favorites gleaned from the first two sections only, that is, those covering Breakfast, and Dips and Snacks.)

• Feta omelette – olive oil, eggs and peppered feta cheese, scooped onto lavash (Persian flatbread)
• Mast Bademejan Dip – a divine-sounding smoky eggplant and yogurt dip – layered with olive oil, garlic, tahini and sumac, sprinkled with pomegranate pearls.
• Dolmeh – delectable stuffed vine leaves – offered here is lovely vegetarian version with rice and split peas, and fistfuls of herbs and spices (including turmeric, parsley, tarragon,cilantro,mint) – (Need I go on?)
• Felafel – a incredibly yummy-looking “kicked-up” spiced and herbed version of this classic featuring crisply melting chickpea patties, served on flatbread with hummus, lettuce and traditional sauce.
• Noon Lavash – who knew tearable, dippable, homemade Persian flatbread could have so few ingredients and be so easy?

A lovely, luscious compendium, this book is a joy and an epicurean delight – a wonderful addition to any readers cookbook shelf, destined to be consulted for banquets, street food, family meals, celebrations – and a simple meal on any of those days when only the brightest flavors will suffice.

A great big thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.

My stop today on the @randomttours #blogtour for #Salamanti by #HamedsPersianKitchen #HamedAllayria @danivalent @murdochbooksUK