The many countries that make up the area known as the Middle East reflect a cooking style that is extremely varied. Cereals, pulses, fresh vegetables, fruit and yoghurt are used extensively together with much lamb and poultry. Contrasting with this are cakes soaked in sugar-rich syrups, and halvas, very thick, sweet and often crunchy, and served as accompaniments to coffee and tea. No matter whether a soup, part of the very famous mezze table, a main course fish, meat, poultry or egg dish, vegetable accompaniment or a dessert or drink, there are recipes in this book to suit all tastes and occasions. To co-ordinate them, there is a selection of menus to re-create an authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere.