Big flavor, without the fuss.
In Simple, superstar chef Yotam Ottolenghi reimagines his bold, Middle Eastern-inspired cooking for the everyday home cook. Known for layering spices and showcasing ingredients like tahini, za’atar, and pomegranate molasses, Ottolenghi’s recipes are often weekend projects. But this book changes that.
With 130 streamlined dishes, Simple keeps the flavor while cutting the complexity. Each recipe falls into at least one of five categories:
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Short on time – ready in 30 minutes or less
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10 ingredients or fewer – excluding olive oil, salt, pepper, and water
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Make ahead – sauces, dips, and dishes that hold well
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Lazy – one-pan and slow-cooked options that do the work for you
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Easier than you think – impressive recipes with simple techniques
From Roasted Baby Carrots with Harissa and Pomegranate to a Spring Roast Chicken with Preserved Lemon, recipes are organized by meal type for quick navigation—think brunch, vegetables, grains, fish, meat, and dessert.
While pared down, these dishes still rely on a well-stocked pantry and an adventurous spice rack. Ottolenghi’s signature flavors come from clever spice pairings and ingredients that do the heavy lifting. If you're cooking your way through this book, here are the spices you'll want on hand:
Spices used in this book:
Allspice • Apple Pie Spice • Baharat • Caraway • Cardamom • Cayenne • Chili Flakes • Ground & Stick Cinnamon • Coriander • Chinese Five Spice • Cumin • Curry Powder • Dill • Fennel • Harissa • Mint • Mustard (Seeds + Powder) • Nigella • Nutmeg • Paprika • Black Pepper • Poppy • Salt • Saffron • Sesame (Black + Tan) • Star Anise • Sumac • Tarragon • Thyme • Turmeric • Urfa Chile • Vanilla • White Pepper • Za’atar
Why we love it:
If you've been intimidated by Ottolenghi’s recipes in the past, Simple is your perfect entry point. It’s a great way to start mastering your spice cabinet without spending hours in the kitchen. And with recipes this flavorful, you’ll find yourself reaching for those bold spices again and again.