Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors From My Israeli Kitchen: A Cookbook

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Vibrant, Inspiring Cookbook That Brings Joy to Both the Professional and Home Kitchen As a professional chef and a parent who cooks at home nearly every day, I’ve cooked from dozens of cookbooks—but Sababa stands out as something truly special. Adeena Sussman brings a rare blend of warmth, precision, and deep culinary knowledge that makes this book both exciting for seasoned chefs and totally approachable for home cooks. What I appreciate most is how Sababa captures the essence of Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine without overwhelming you. The recipes are bright, fresh, and full of soul—whether it’s the tahini caesar, the roasted eggplant with creamy labneh, or the addictive tomato schug that’s become a permanent fixture in our fridge. These dishes don’t just taste great—they invite you to cook with more spontaneity, to lean into vegetables and spices in a way that feels effortless and deeply satisfying. As a parent, I’m always looking for meals that nourish and delight my family without taking up hours of prep time. Sababa has delivered again and again. My kids have fallen in love with flavors I never expected them to try, and it’s become a joy to make dinner together from this book. The food is healthy without trying too hard, beautiful without being fussy, and most importantly—it’s delicious. For anyone who loves to cook and eat well—whether you’re a trained chef or someone just starting to explore flavor—this book is an absolute gem. It has earned a permanent spot on my kitchen counter.

Sababa is more than just a cookbook—it’s a vibrant culinary experience that blends bold flavors, stunning visuals, and heartfelt storytelling. 📚 Visually Stunning and Inspiring The photography is absolutely gorgeous (page 1), with each dish presented in a way that feels both approachable and elevated. It makes you want to jump right into the kitchen and start cooking. 🍋 Flavorful, Fresh, and Accessible Recipes From sumac-roasted vegetables to creamy tahini sauces and zesty lemon-forward mains (page 3), every recipe feels both rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern. The author’s use of Middle Eastern spices is balanced and never overwhelming, making the book perfect for everyday cooks. 📝 Clear Instructions and Useful Tips Each recipe is thoughtfully written, with helpful notes and ingredient substitutions (page 5). Even more complex dishes are broken down into easy-to-follow steps, and pantry guidance helps demystify unfamiliar ingredients. ✅ Pros: Bold, fresh Mediterranean flavors Stunning photography and layout User-friendly, even for beginners Culturally rich context with each recipe ❌ Cons: Some ingredients may require a specialty grocery trip Not as many gluten-free or vegan options as expected Overall: Sababa is a joyful, flavorful, and deeply personal cookbook that brings the spirit of Israeli cooking into your home. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to explore global flavors with confidence and style. Highly recommended!

Sababa is my new comfort read and kitchen sidekick. The recipes are fresh, flavorful, and make me feel like I have my life together, even when I’m eating dinner in pajamas at 9 p.m. Adeena Sussman writes like a friend who shows up with olive oil, tahini, and zero judgment. Everything I’ve tried has been a hit. It’s the kind of food that makes people think you really know what you’re doing (I do not). The photos are beautiful, the instructions actually make sense, and the whole book feels like sunshine in hardcover form.

I really loved Sababa! The book has a nice mix of simple and more involved recipes. I’m vegetarian so not everything worked for me, but there are plenty of great options that do. One favorite so far is the freekeh and roasted grape salad — so good, bright, and satisfying. Overall a beautiful book with lots of flavor and variety. Highly

When I get a new cookbook I randomly flip to a page and then that’s the first thing I cook. The first recipe I tried from “Sababa” was the Tahini Smoothie - a silky and satisfying blend of date-sweetened almond milk, banana and tahini! I cook regularly from this book of beautifully photographed and thoughtfully curated recipes. Some of my favorites that I make on repeat are: Honey and Olive Oil Challah, Fluffy Israeli Cheesecake with Fresh Plum Compote, Melted Green Cabbage, Moroccan Fish Cakes, Everything Beigele, Pumpkin-Vegetable Stew with Easy Homemade Couscous, Crispy Chicken Schnitzel and the Spiced Silan Bourbon Cocktail. Each recipe I am inspired to try turns out really well - delicious, and flavor-filled - and, to me, that’s the definition of a great cookbook!

I have several cookbooks at home. This is really the only one you need. It pretty much covers most of the Israeli cuisine. And something that makes the book exceptional are all the nice pictures for the recipes.

Just one thing to say: you cannot not buy it! The author takes you to Israel in a second and made you fall in love with the vibrant colorful kitchen. Thanks to this book I left my Israeli boyfriend totally amazed. Not only the recipes are perfect, the pictures make you want to try them all straight away. A plus of the book: all the details she gave about history and products informations!

Lo compré para un regalo, pero claro que le di una hojeada antes de darlo y me encantó! Es muy ilustrativo y el contenido de recetas e historia es muy enriquecedor y completo! Lo recomiendo mucho para las que le guste cocinar y adentrarse en nuevas culturas.

My absolute favourite cook book! Every single recipe is out of this world, everyone I host when I use recipes from this book ends up buying it, it’s just that unreal. Can’t be without this one.

I have had a flip through this, and it looks good. I particularly like the looks of some of the dips, and sauces.