Honey & Co.

April 20, 2015
Middle Eastern cookbooks abound, but this debut stands out by mixing its Israeli authors’ native cooking traditions with modern techniques and fresh surprises. Srulovich and Packer are a married couple who met in Israel before working at the famed Ottolenghi in London and moving on to open their own eatery, the titular Honey & Co. Various spice mixes and pastes, along with preserved lemons, form a flavor foundation for dishes such as lamb shawarma and Israeli couscous with peas, mint, and goat cheese. Breads play an important role, as the restaurant prepares three to four fresh types daily, from flat pita slabs to spongy round loaves of potato bread. There are the staple recipes one would expect for layering with falafel and spit-roasted meats—hummus, yes, and pickles—but also more unexpected combinations such as beets and plums in a rose and walnut dressing, and mushroom and cumin sfiha (a pizza-like pie). Inventive desserts such as feta and honey cheesecake carry the sense of wonder through to the final course. Personal storytelling and naturalistic imagery lend a distinct voice to this strong, appealing recipe collection. Color photos.

Starred review from May 15, 2015
Before opening Honey & Co., a Middle Eastern restaurant in London, husband-and-wife duo Srulovich and Packer worked as head chef and pastry chef, respectively, at Yotam Ottolenghi's esteemed eponymous restaurant. Their new collection of flavorful recipes--including cured sea bream with pomegranate juice and cumin, slow-cooked lamb shoulder with plums and roses, and chestnut cake with salted caramel sauce--will interest many readers, including Ottolenghi fans. The authors begin with base recipes (e.g., spice blends, tahini) and six categories of small plates, then continue with fresh salads and other courses, including desserts and drinks. Few ingredients are truly hard to find, and the authors have made an effort to simplify traditionally laborious preparations. VERDICT This restaurant cookbook is representative of the hottest trends and has enough variety to be suitable for everyday use.

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