Why am I passionate about this?

I am Haniyeh Nikoo, a full-time recipe developer, food stylist, and food photographer.

My passion for food does not stop at my Iranian roots but goes beyond the borders. It is my way of experiencing and learning about the world, cultures, and people. I not only care about how a dish tastes but also how it looks and how it invites you to take a bite and get on a journey of trying something new.


I wrote

A Persian Kitchen Tale: Discover Exciting Flavors Through 60 Simple Recipes

By Haniyeh Nikoo,

Book cover of A Persian Kitchen Tale: Discover Exciting Flavors Through 60 Simple Recipes

What is my book about?

My cookbook is an introduction to Persian cuisine for those in the West who are curious to try it without…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Yalla, Let's Eat!: Delicious, Authentic Arab Meals Made Easy

Haniyeh Nikoo Why did I love this book?

This book makes me hungry every time I go through it. It features a great selection of Arab and Palestinian recipes that look and sound amazing but also don’t seem pretentious or hard to make.

The book features 60 recipes, but once you go through it, the options seem endless—from hearty pilaffs to mouthwatering grilled meals, tasty dips, and delicious small bites. I love to add a few of the recipes to my gatherings’ menu because they are easy to prepare and always please my guests.

By Maha Kailani,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Yalla, Let's Eat! as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Making your favourite Arab dishes is easier than ever with this contemporary guide to effortless Middle Eastern cooking from Maha Kailani, creator of Make Delicious Happen. These show-stopping recipes honour all the vibrant flavours of traditional Arab cuisine but use quick shortcuts and helpful appliances like the Instant Pot (R) and Air Fryer to cut down on prep and cook time. Breeze through incredible yet simplified recipes such as:

Flavor Bomb One-Pot Chicken Kabseh,
Skillet Beef Shawarma,
Dawood Basha (Syrian- Style Kofta Meatballs and Pomegranate Potato Casserole),
Quick Palestinian Msakhan Rolls,
Traditional Tangy Tabbouleh,
Classic Lebanese Fattoush,
Cheat Baba Ghanouj,…


Book cover of Bitter Honey: Recipes and Stories from the Island of Sardinia

Haniyeh Nikoo Why did I love this book?

I love this cookbook for how it makes me feel. It’s filled with authentic recipes from Sardinia (An island between Europe and Africa) that are presented like a poem to touch your soul and invite you to sit at a table that makes you feel warm, cozy, and welcomed.

The book contains various recipes for any occasion, and stunning images and engaging stories make it something beyond an ordinary cookbook!

By Letitia Clark,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Bitter Honey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Guild of Food Writer's Awards, Highly Commended in 'First Book' category (2021)

In Bitter Honey, seasoned chef Letitia Clark invites us into her home on one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean Sea - Sardinia.

The recipes in this book do not take long to make, but you can taste the ethos behind every one of them - one which invites you to slow down, and nourish yourself with fresh food, friends and family.

The importance of eating well is even more pronounced here on this forgotten island. Try your hand at Roasted Aubergines with Honey, Mint, Garlic…


Book cover of Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking: Simple, Delicious Recipes for Classic Latin American Flavors

Haniyeh Nikoo Why did I love this book?

This book convinced me to try cooking from a cuisine I had not tried before. Olivia’s way of presenting every dish has got me drooling page by page over dishes I haven’t heard of before.

The recipes have been developed to be easy to follow for those who try them for the first time. From meaty grill recipes to filled fried doughs, pilaffs, sweets, desserts, and more! This book is a complete feast for the body and the soul.

By Olivia Mesquita,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Bring Brazil To Your Kitchen

Learn to cook like a Brazilian native with this love letter to traditional Latin American cooking from Olivia Mesquita. Inspired by the food Olivia's grandmother made her as a child, these crowd-pleasing recipes draw from generations of vibrant Brazilian flavours, cooking and culture. Recreate the taste of your childhood with a mouth-watering Carne Louca (Braised Beef with Onions, Tomato and Peppers) that will rival even your mother's, or try your hand at delicious recipes like Plantain Gnocchi or Pastel de Bacalhau (Fried Cod Empanadas). Or, if you're new to Brazilian cuisine, expand and delight your…


Book cover of Nistisima

Haniyeh Nikoo Why did I love this book?

Vegan cooking never looked so appealing to me before reading this book. I’m not vegan, but I love to eat hearty, delicious vegan food if I get my hands on it, and this book is filled with many!

The stories behind how she decided to write the book and the tasteful Mediterranean vegan recipes just opens the door of adding some healthy, flavourful dishes to your diet nevertheless of being a vegan or not.

This cookbook is written with love and passion, and it’s beyond just a recipe

book.

By Georgina Hayden,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Nistisima as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

WINNER OF THE OBSERVER FOOD MONTHLY BEST NEW COOKBOOK AWARD THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING COOKBOOK The Daily Mail Best Cookbooks of the Year 2022 The Independent 10 Best Cookbooks of 2022 Delicious Magazine Best cook books of 2022 ____________________________ No fads, no frills, just 120 vegan recipes that have stood the test of time from award-winning food writer Georgina Hayden, currently appearing on Channel 4's The Great Cookbook Challenge Nistisima means fasting food - food eaten during Lent and other times of fasting observed by those of Orthodox faith. Mostly this involves giving up meat and dairy and instead using…


Book cover of Parsi: From Persia to Bombay: recipes & tales from the ancient culture

Haniyeh Nikoo Why did I love this book?

I grabbed this book as its name, which was derived from Persia, intrigued me. I then got myself lost in the introduction about the Parsi community and their culture, and then I knew I needed this cookbook in my kitchen. In the Parsi community, the Persians migrated to India about 400 years ago and developed their own culture and cuisine, a mix of old Persian and Indian cuisine.

As a Persian who loves both cuisines, I found this cookbook fascinating. The recipes are written in great detail, with techniques explained well and even measurements shown in images. Page by page, you can feel the warmth of flavors and spices coming through each recipe to convince you to get up and cook. This cookbook is a flavor bomb, and if you want to try some mouthwatering Indian food that is not your typical food, this one is for you!

By Farokh Talati,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Parsi as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'I'm just bowled over by this book. It's as fascinating as it is beautiful, and full of food I'm desperate to eat!' NIGELLA LAWSON 'The one and only book you will ever need on Parsi cooking' ANGELA HARTNETT From Dinaz Aunty's incredible tamarind and coconut fish curry, lamb stewed with cinnamon and Hunza apricots, to baked custards infused with saffron and cardamom, Parsi cuisine is a rich fusion of Persian and Indian influences: unique and utterly delicious. In his debut cookbook, Head Chef of St. John Bread & Wine, Farokh Talati, gathers together a selection of classic Parsi recipes from…


Explore my book 😀

A Persian Kitchen Tale: Discover Exciting Flavors Through 60 Simple Recipes

By Haniyeh Nikoo,

Book cover of A Persian Kitchen Tale: Discover Exciting Flavors Through 60 Simple Recipes

What is my book about?

My cookbook is an introduction to Persian cuisine for those in the West who are curious to try it without being overwhelmed by challenging techniques or ingredients difficult to source. I aim for this cookbook to serve as a gateway to the rich and diverse flavors of Persian cuisine for more people.

I gathered a wide range of recipes with attention to diversity in taste, ingredients, and diets. My goal was to keep this selection diverse and achievable by using ingredients that are easy to find no matter where you live and methods developed to be followed easily by home cooks.

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Iran, the Middle East, and Italy?

Iran 128 books
The Middle East 191 books
Italy 401 books