Title: Tekebash & Saba

Author: Saba Alemayoh

Genre: Cookbook/Memoir

Publisher: Murdoch Books

Publication Date: 9th March 2023

Rating: 5/5

Cover:

Summary:

From Tigray to the world, Tekebash & Saba is not your average cookbook. It is a love story through food―a legacy of Tekebash Gebre, Saba Alemayoh’s extraordinary mother.

Tekebash & Saba is a celebration of the food of Ethiopia’s northernmost state Tigray, interweaved with the compelling story of author Saba Alemayoh and her mother Tekebash Gebre.

In this stunning cookbook, the chapters are divided by the different stages of Tekebash’s life journey, from growing up in Tigray to making a new life for herself in Australia. The food in these chapters are defined by the stages of that journey, from the first dish that Tekebash learned to make (Chickpea stew), fleeing Tigray (Shredded flatbread with tomato sauce), and marriage (Red lamb stew), to becoming a new mother (Tigray-style gnocchi), famine (Sauteed mushrooms) and opening a restaurant with Saba (Fried cauliflower).

Intertwined with Tigray culture and stories, Tekebash and Saba is a cookbook whereby food is not only the familial cord that binds Tekebash and her daughter together, but one that ties them to their home. This cookbook is a window into their story and that of Tegaru. It’s their story, and it’s Saba’s tribute to her mother. But it is also a story that will resonate with anyone who knows the unceasing pull of a distant homeland and the comfort of its food.

Perfect for fans of Ethiopia by Yohanis Gebreyesus, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen by Zoe Adjonyoh and Hibiscusby Lopè Ariyo and Big Zuu’s Big Eats.’

Review:

I always feel food has the ability to transport you to anywhere and everywhere – especially if you have a strong emotional connection to the dishes – as the author of Tekebash & Saba clearly does. This is a gorgeous cookbook, but it is also a love letter to Saba’s relationship with her mother and to the food and culture of Tigray , Ethiopia. Interspersed with the delicious recipes is Saba’s story and the long journey she has been on to find her place in the world whilst not forgetting where it all began. I loved reading these stories whilst looking through the eye-catching recipes.

As for the recipes themselves – they are not the sort of thing I’ve ever really tried before reading Tekebash & Saba but I’m so unbelievably glad to have this book in my kitchen now! I first made the Dinish recipe – a potato, carrot and cabbage kind of stew, with turmeric, a little chilli and onions adding a moreish blend of deliciousness. It was a very easy recipe to follow, and I absolutely loved it! It is the perfect example of comfort food: warming, satisfying and full of flavour. It is a recipe I’m absolutely going to be making again and again (see photos above for my attempt)! There are some recipes that do require some ingredients not readily available but that are quite easy to track down online or locally. There are so many recipes I’m excited to try next after enjoying the Dinish so much and this is a book I will be going back to constantly. Vibrant, moving, approachable and filled with love and genuinely delicious food – Tekebash & Saba is a cookbook you need on your shelves! Highly recommended.

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Thank you so much to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for inviting me on this tour and organising it. I kindly received a copy of the book from the publisher. My review is entirely my own honest opinion.

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