Rick Stein: From Venice to Istanbul: Discovering the Flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean

I got this book after watching his series on BBC America. His trip traces the same route the Crusaders took during the Fourth Crusade, but he never says it. I wish he had gone to Zada then the trip would have been complete. It is very interesting to read the recipes. The directions are clear and easy to understand the color pictures are helpful to determine if you got it right. He chose recipes based on places that are not very touristy but are very traditional.

Saw the show for this book on TV while in Europe, and ordered this through Amazon while there. I ordered it as a gift for my wife. Arrived two days after arriving home and she was ecstatic and has used the book's recipes several times in the past 3 weeks she's had it.

This is a wonderful book full of excellent recipes from the eastern mediterranean. If you enjoy food, travelling and cooking, this is a treasure. Rick Stein writes easy to understand recipes and his books are colorful and beautiful. You can find here the most famous dishes from Eastern mediterranean cuisine and some unknown dishes that are wonderful. The book is a great guide for eating in Venice, Croatia, Albania, Greece and Turkey.

Fabulous book . I have 3 other recipe books of his. I love his style and have made some super meals from it. I like cooking different cuisines and trying new ideas. Highly recommend this book.

Makes you want to travel the same route

Always love Rick's books as they intertwine literary commentary , travel and food. Great story teller and this show was full of humour.

A superb publication, the recipes are very easy to follow and interesting

Rick Stein's new book is a feast for the senses. From the beautiful hardcover (just as gorgeous without the dust jacket as it is with it!), to the glorious photos and amazing recipes, From Venice to Istanbul is an absolute delight!From Moussaka to Kofte, Hummus to Baklava, all you need to cook the delightful cuisine of the Eastern Mediterranean is found within these pages. Make your own Pide Bread to eat with your homemade Lamb and Pistachio Kofte or Cilbir.Most of us are familiar with some of the Mediterranean cuisines from places like Italy and Greece, but this book takes you to further, to places like Turkey, Albania and Croatia. Try Rozata, a creme caramel flavored with rose water from Croatia, or Gozleme from Turkey or Chicken Yufka from Albania.Put a little spice in your life, and travel outside your comfort zone to sample these delightful cuisines from far flung places. I think you'll be glad you did!I received a copy of this book from Trafalgar Publishing through IPG for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful flavourful book full of tempting recipes from the simple and everyday pastas to the exotic dishes of Albania and Turkey. All of the recipes are easily made in a home kitchen and most are gutsy and lovely for family meals. I really enjoyed the mixtures of spices like cinnamon and cumin as well as the more unusual ingredients like pomegranate molasses. This book was exactly the boost that I needed when I was bored with my usual repertoire of food. I also loved all of the pre-recipe descriptions of ingredients, people and places - wonderfully evocative of Mediterranean holidays. I recommend it with gusto.

I love this book so much. I've tried several recipes and they're all amazing and medium/easy to prepare. I'm a big a fan of Rick Stein and i have some of his books but this one is my favourite. Not only takes me back to the episodes of the show, but also i can bring some of that travel experience into my home. The moussaka recipe is amazing, and also loved the Kotopita (the Greek chicken pie) that I've cooked several times this year :) also the schie con polenta (from Venice) a couple of times. Definitely recommend this book!

Like all Rick Stein/BBC books this book is wonderfully produced and photographed. The issue is with the recipes. I have quite a lot of middle eastern cook books and for the 1st two chapters Snacks and Street Food I think I have all the recipes else where. I do not eat meat so cannot comment there. The sea food recipes are ok but fewer than I would have expected. The vegetable section is very small given the vast number of vegetable dishes in the area and does Rick Really think I need another Greek salad recipe.If you do not have any books on middle eastern cookery then this is a great introduction but if you do I'd give it a miss not much new here.

Fantastic book to look at and read. The recipes are uncomplicated and turn out beautifully. Have not put this book down sinced I bought it. When I cook from a new recipe I folllow instructions then if I want to add a little extra ingredient I usually do. This book is full of delicious recipes even someone who doesn't cook would be proud of.

Great book full of tempting recipes. Nice to look at and read. So far all recipes tried have worked well and tasted good. The pizza bianco is a star turn!Rick may be a celebrity chef but I like all of his books for the same reason - not too complicated and fairly authentic meals presented in an attractive manner. Not too much waffle in the introductions to the recipes or in the method so you don't miss something out because you've skimmed over the chit chat (Jamie I'm looking at you on that one!).