“Maa Osama.. Atyab” – “It is more delicious with Osama” A cookbook for those who are fond of the art of cooking. It was published in 2007 and has been republished 3 times so far.It has more than 300 recipes unveiling the spicy aroma of Middle Eastern cooking with a step- by -step, easy to follow methods and useful tips. “Maa Osama Atyab” enlightens the concept of How we should enjoy eating and How to find joy through the entire phases of food preparation. Appendixes for measurement units’ conversion are attached to the book as well as quick icons with each recipe to provide the reader with an easy-find-off for his needs. Such icons include: “low calories”, “fiber-rich”, “vegetarian”, “fast & easy” …etc… If the reader has got some indistinct ingredient that he ignores how to use in producing a scrumptious healthy dish, he can find the solution in the Index of major ingredients that shows a variety of methods for making gourmet cooks and desserts. An illustrative index for the most-used kitchen tools, necessary and most commonly used raw materials such as spices, herbs, grains & nuts, is attached to the book in both Arabic and English.

Unlike many parts of the world, where a good dessert is the natural conclusion to a good meal, Arabian desserts are treats that are meant to stand alone. I often enjoy them in the mid-afternoon with a small cup of fresh mint tea, and have built some of my fondest memories from just such occasions. In Arabic countries, sweets are often purchased in small neighborhood pastry shops. There are few greater pleasures than to create traditional Arabian desserts in your own kitchen just as you might find them in your favorite sweet shop.

Most of the ingredients used in these recipes are readily available in supermarkets. Some of the more traditional Arabian ingredients — such as Konafa (shredded pastry), Qeshta (clotted cream), and rose petal jam — can be found in Middle Eastern markets or online. Clarified butter and sugar syrup are particularly essential to the crisp texture and rich flavor in many Arabian sweets, and should not be substituted or used sparingly. For the best results in all recipes, use only the best quality ingredients you can find.

In the following pages, I share many of the secrets I have learned in making Arabian pastries through the years. I embrace many of the traditional characteristics of these sweets, and add some new twists to old classics. Most importantly, I don’t skimp when it comes to ingredients. These sweets are unapologetically rich and aromatic. They are meant to be savored in small quantities where every little bite bursts with dense, sweet flavor. Each cookie, cake, and confection included here provides a simple pleasure sure to rest in your memory for years to come.

Unlike many parts of the world, where a good dessert is the natural conclusion to a good meal, Arabian desserts are treats that are meant to stand alone. I often enjoy them in the mid-afternoon with a small cup of fresh mint tea, and have built some of my fondest memories from just such occasions. In Arabic countries, sweets are often purchased in small neighborhood pastry shops. There are few greater pleasures than to create traditional Arabian desserts in your own kitchen just as you might find them in your favorite sweet shop.

Most of the ingredients used in these recipes are readily available in supermarkets. Some of the more traditional Arabian ingredients — such as Konafa (shredded pastry), Qeshta (clotted cream), and rose petal jam — can be found in Middle Eastern markets or online. Clarified butter and sugar syrup are particularly essential to the crisp texture and rich flavor in many Arabian sweets, and should not be substituted or used sparingly. For the best results in all recipes, use only the best quality ingredients you can find.

In the following pages, I share many of the secrets I have learned in making Arabian pastries through the years. I embrace many of the traditional characteristics of these sweets, and add some new twists to old classics. Most importantly, I don’t skimp when it comes to ingredients. These sweets are unapologetically rich and aromatic. They are meant to be savored in small quantities where every little bite bursts with dense, sweet flavor. Each cookie, cake, and confection included here provides a simple pleasure sure to rest in your memory for years to come.