Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Maren Wiederhold
Categories
Cookery / food & drink etc

SETTING A PLACE FOR US

Hawa Hassan

Recipes and Stories of Displacement, Resilience, and Community from Eight Countries Impacted by War

An enthralling and intimate collection of essays and over 75 recipes that explores the history of eight countries to understand the impact of war on a culture's cuisine and food system, from the James Beard Awardwinning author of In Bibi's Kitchen.

Countries dealing with major conflict are rarely portrayed in a well-rounded light by the media. Images of disarray and decline saturate their narratives, ignoring the strength, resourcefulness, and ingenuity that arise from having to navigate conflict. Hawa Hassan brings us into these multifaceted narratives for eight countries from around the world. Each chapter is devoted to a different country and opens with an informative essay on the culture and the foodways. Recipes follow highlighting indigenous ingredients and share intimate portraits of the people preserving food culture, including food from: Afghanistan, such as Bolani (Stuffed Flatbread) and Borani Banjan (Stewed Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt) Democratic Republic of Congo, such as Chikwanga (Cassava Flour Cake) and Pondu (Cassava Leaf Stew) Egypt, such as Ta'ameva (Fava Bean Fritters) and Ghoraybah (Shortbread Cookies) El Salvador, such as Sopa de Res (Beef Shank Soup) and Pupusas con Curtido (Filled Masa Flatbreads with Cabbage Slaw) Iraq, such as Shorbat (Lentil Soup) and Bamia (Lamb and Okra Stew) Lebanon, such as Malouf (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) and Mouhamara (Spicy Walnut and Red Pepper dip) Liberia, such as Ground Peanut Soup and Kala (Sweet Fried Dough) Yemen, such as Saltah (Lamb Stew with Fenugreek Fruth) and Zhoug Setting a Place for Us returns some agency to the people whose stories up until now have been ignored in the media and sheds light on the important work of preserving recipes and food traditions in places of conflict and migration. Hawa Hassan is a James Beard award winner and culinary triple threat: dynamic chef, TV personality and entrepreneur. She's the founder of Basbaas, a line of sauce and condiments inspired by her home country of Somalia, a fast-growing brand that has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Eater and more.

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Book Published 2025-05-13 by Ten Speed Press

Comments

Hawa has a beautiful way of weaving together food and emotions through stories, and it shows in Setting a Place for Us. This is far more than a cookbook; it is a journey of healing against a backdrop of unfathomable loss and chaos. I have learned and felt something new with each chapter, between the essential historical context of each place and the thoughtful care Hawa has put into capturing each recipe. The love and hope carried within this book are palpable, and I know I'll be returning to it time and time again.

I love Setting a Place for Us! It made me cry, it made me laugh, and it reminded me of the magical importance of food in bringing home to our lives even in exile. This book brings to life senses and emotions to the experience of displacement, wars, and resilience indeed.

Displacement is not a choiceno one chooses to leave their lands. They're kicked out from it, or they've run away from death and injustice. Even when displaced peoples are far from their homes, the one place to gather and find community is around the table. In Setting a Place for Us, Hawa beautifully pays tribute these people, their stories, and the recipes that bring them together.