People keep asking me silly questions – ‘Why did you have to go to 10 different countries to come to the UK? Many of the dishes that have become signatures at Alarnab’s London restaurant feature, including the falafel, which are strikingly shaped with hole in the middle for a ‘crispier texture’. Cooking Syrian food now makes him feel “connected” to his home country, of course, “but it also makes me feel part of this unique community in the UK”.

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen: The Sunday Times bestseller full of

Landing just in time for the colder weather, it’s full of delicious, warming recipes that will turn you into a soup expert in no time, whether you’re a beginner or already a seasoned pro. After his family were able to emigrate (just under the year he’d promised his daughter) someone introduced him to the Cook For Syria scheme – and soon he was hosting super clubs at his house. From the other side of the menu we have chargrilled and crisp-skinned chicken thighs, on a tomatoey mess of bulgur wheat alongside a chilli sauce that creeps in quietly then slaps you cheerily round the face.Before the 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad triggered a war that has left 11 million people displaced Imad was one of the lucky ones. Whether you're a seasoned vegan looking for some new inspiration or have only just started eliminating meat and animal products, you'll have all of the recipes and information you need at your fingertips.

Syrian Cooking - Delicious recipes from Syria Syrian Cooking - Delicious recipes from Syria

Having fled from Afghanistan during the Cold War, Ayubi’s family have kept Afghan culture close to their hearts, which they have shared with Australians since their family-run restaurant opened in Adelaide in 2009.A fun read for children and adults alike, this delightful tome takes readers on a culinary journey around the world, learning about a variety of food and dishes from baguettes to biryani, and everything in between. The dad-of-three says: “To have a decent warm meal – for people whose lives have been on hold, they can’t cross to safety – was a big deal for all of us. It includes preparation, cooking and serving kitchen tools, as well as those special to the Syrian kitchen. Whether you’re trying to go vegan for the month, the year or just simply want to start reducing the amount of animal products and meat in your diet, The Contented Vegan is a caring companion that will help you along the way. The twin brothers started The Happy Pear in 2004 with the goal of inspiring people to live a happier and healthier life while adopting a more plant-based diet.

Book review: Imad’s Syrian Kitchen

Even after starting from scratch in a new country after losing everything, with a highly-acclaimed restaurant and now a cookbook, he’s most proud of his daughters.Throughout, the recipes are simple and straightforward, with almost all the ingredients obtainable in your local supermarket. It involves so much waiting, unable to do anything, completely at the mercy of a constantly changing series of people who mostly don’t seem to care. And thankfully, as you'll definitely have heard by now, Dishoom has a book that will give you the power to do just that. There are cubes of watermelon and a dusting of za’atar, too, but it needs more of a dressing to get it moving. With the touching tales behind his most memorable dishes adding warmth and authenticity, this is the work of a true storyteller for whom writing about food signals the start of a new and exciting chapter.