This title features two hundred and fifty vegetarian recipes from across the entire Middle East, by a late cookbook author whose works - including this one - have garnered a growing cult following since their original publication. Vegetarian Dishes from Across the Middle East presents more than 250 recipes from the entire arc of the Middle East, and including north Africa. Late author/restaurateur Arto der Haroutunian begins with a brief introduction to Middle Eastern history in both a general and a culinary sense, to place the book's recipes within a larger cultural context. He then devotes sections to soups, salads, pastas, pastries, and more, including information about how to make sauces and dressings. The book's recipes are clearly presented, with easy-to-follow steps. They range from the simple - plain kasha, for instance - to the more unusual - ougat agas, or cauliflower and pear pie. Arto der Haroutunian's book has a recipe for every reader. It's perfect both for new cooks and for those who want to expand their skills. It showcases the versatility of both vegetarian and Middle Eastern cuisine, and provides delicious ways to fulfill Michael Pollan's now famous and ever-more-widely-championed dictum: 'Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants'.