When the Jews fled Iraq for Israel, they could not take their material possessions, but they did take their culture--and their rich cuisine. With Mongolian, Turkish, and Indian influences, Jewish-Iraqi cuisine is a special blend--and has never before been documented. Rivka Goldman takes the reader through her memories of an ancient land and culture by means of the culinary heritage passed on to her by her mother. This elegant cookbook memoir describes the ways in which the unique sociopolitical history of the Jewish-Iraqi has impacted their foods and the ways in which they are eaten, supplying over 100 healthful family recipes. Refreshing salads, hearty stuffed vegetable and meat dishes, and wholesome dumpling, fish and rice dishes all accompany tales of friendship, loyalty, persecution, escape, exile, and, of course, celebration.

When the Jews fled Iraq for Israel, they could not take their material possessions, but they did take their culture--and their rich cuisine. With Mongolian, Turkish, and Indian influences, Jewish-Iraqi cuisine is a special blend--and has never before been documented. Rivka Goldman takes the reader through her memories of an ancient land and culture by means of the culinary heritage passed on to her by her mother. This elegant cookbook memoir describes the ways in which the unique sociopolitical history of the Jewish-Iraqi has impacted their foods and the ways in which they are eaten, supplying over 100 healthful family recipes. Refreshing salads, hearty stuffed vegetable and meat dishes, and wholesome dumpling, fish and rice dishes all accompany tales of friendship, loyalty, persecution, escape, exile, and, of course, celebration.