Recipes from Sumac

Sumac Cookbook

Sumac is filled with traditional and contemporary Syrian recipes that were inspired by personal stories. The gorgeous photography illustrates how beautiful this country was and still is, and family photographs add depth to the author’s history. Each chapter is filled with the author’s memories of family celebrations and the country that inspired the book. He tells stories of traditional weekend breakfasts in his grandmother’s garden and of the mezze his mother cooked for family gatherings. There are memories of the rich aromatic flavors of the Syrian kitchen where fragrant spices like the lemony and deep red sumac are prized ingredients.

A large white plate on a white background, filled with halved, browned zucchini, sprinkled with mint.

Pan-Fried Zucchini with Mint

We know that you, like us, have piles and piles of zukes. Lush spices and a quick spell in the skillet make quick work of those gorg gourds.

A person holding a skillet with jazmaz, or Syrian shakshuka - eggs cooked in a tomato and chile sauce.

Jazmaz ~ Syrian Shakshuka

You may know eggs and tomatoes as shakshuka, although this cousin includes the smooth heat from chiles as well as briny black olives. This approach from Anas Atassi is in our rotation.

Diamond-shaped pieces of walnut baklava, topped with chopped pistachios.

Walnut Baklava

In the Eastern Mediterranean, each individual has an idea of what makes the perfect baklava. This unconventional approach relies on blitzed raisins and citrus syrup. If you’re looking for perfect, this just might be it.