Sumac: Recipes and Stories from Syria by Anas Atassi

A love letter to Syria told through food, memory, and the spice that ties it all together. Part memoir, part cookbook, Sumac by Anas Atassi blends personal storytelling with over 80 traditional and modern Syrian recipes—each dish a thread in the fabric of a country too often defined by conflict. Through family photos, vivid memories, and aromatic dishes, Atassi shares the flavors that shaped his childhood and connect him to his homeland. Nigella Lawson calls it “remarkably generous,” praising Atassi for evoking the food that creates a sense of home. Whether it’s mezze shared at family gatherings or leisurely breakfasts in his grandmother’s garden, every recipe carries emotional resonance—meals rooted in comfort, resilience, and celebration. With stunning photography by Rania Kataf (Humans of Damascus), this book offers a rare, intimate window into Syrian life and cuisine. Who’s it for? Anyone interested in Middle Eastern cuisine, food as cultural storytelling, or building empathy and u