Bahari

With honesty and curiosity, British-born Omani-Zanzibari chef Dina Macki explores the unique foodscape of Oman, in the first Omani cookbook to be written by an Omani chef. Bahari, meaning "ocean" in Swahili, is a culinary exploration of the rich flavours and history of Omani cuisine, a food culture shaped by boundless coastlines and complex maritime history, with origins and influences spanning Pakistan, Iran, India, the Swahili coast, and Portugal. In this distinctive cookbook, Dina Macki travels across Oman and Zanzibar, unearthing regional delicacies and recreating the food of her heritage. With more than 100 recipes for meat, fish, and vegetables, homemade breads and dips, desserts and drinks, Macki invites us into her kitchen, showing us how to create exquisite Omani dishes at home. Tapping into the stories behind the recipes and ingredients, Macki brings a fresh perspective in nuanced essays on migration and identity exploring how food connects us to our past and our communities. Combining personal essays and contemporary twists on traditional recipes, Bahari takes us on a journey through the flavours of Oman, in a tale that is as fascinating as it is delicious.