Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons: Enchanting Dishes from the Middle East, Mediterranean and North Africa

Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons collects recipes and food traditions from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African cuisines. The book takes its name from acqua pazza, an Italian dish of fish poached in herb-infused water, and from preserved lemons common in Moroccan cooking. Each chapter focuses on a key ingredient or category, such as flowers, spices, fruit, or nuts. The recipes blend traditional preparations with contemporary interpretations, accompanied by cultural context and personal observations from the author's travels. The text includes practical cooking instructions alongside descriptions of markets, ingredients, and culinary customs from Morocco to Turkey to Italy. Photography and design elements transport readers to sun-drenched locations where these dishes originate. This work celebrates the romance and sensory appeal of Mediterranean-region cooking while making these cuisines accessible to home cooks. The book illustrates how ingredients and techniques flow across borders, connecting cultures through shared culinary heritage.

Readers appreciate the book's evocative writing style and personal stories that accompany the recipes. Many note that it reads like both a cookbook and a travel narrative. The photography and design receive frequent mentions for their beauty. Likes: - Clear recipe instructions with accessible ingredients - Cultural context and history for each dish - Works well as both a practical cookbook and coffee table book - Mediterranean recipes adapt well to home kitchens Dislikes: - Some ingredients can be hard to find in certain regions - A few readers found the portion sizes too large - Limited number of photos compared to modern cookbooks Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (89 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (86 ratings) Notable review quotes: "The recipes transport you to sun-drenched places" - Amazon reviewer "More than just recipes - it's an exploration of flavors and cultures" - Goodreads user "Beautiful but practical enough for everyday cooking" - Food52 community member

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🍊 Diana Henry wrote this book while recovering from thyroid cancer, during which time she found solace in researching and dreaming about the vibrant flavors of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. 🌺 The book's unique title comes from two traditional ingredients: "crazy water" (acqua pazza), an Italian fish poaching liquid, and pickled lemons, a staple in Moroccan cooking. 🍯 Many recipes in the book are organized by ingredient themes like "Fruits of Longing" and "The Spice Trail," reflecting the romantic and poetic nature of Middle Eastern food culture. 🌿 The author traveled extensively through Turkey, Morocco, and Lebanon to research authentic cooking techniques and gather stories behind traditional dishes. 🍶 Beyond recipes, the book explores the ritual and symbolism of Middle Eastern ingredients, such as how pomegranates represent fertility and rose water is considered sacred in Persian cuisine.