Bismillah, Let’s Eat!: Fresh and Vibrant Recipes from My Family to Yours

“I hope you’ll feel encouraged to try some new things—I think you’ll surprise yourself at how easy it really is,” writes fitness influencer Allibhai in her solid debut. Her Indo-East African heritage shines through a majority of the recipes, including East African biryani (a mixed rice dish and “the ultimate party food”), muthiya (veggie stew with dumplings), and kuku paka (coconut chicken curry with potatoes). She also includes an assortment of meals inspired by other parts of the world, notably one-pot pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes, salmon teriyaki bowls, and roasted butternut squash and beet soup. Throughout, Allibhai makes modifications to her dishes to support a healthier lifestyle, incorporating sweet potatoes into brownies “to increase the fiber and nutrition content” and using cashews instead of dairy in tomato soup. Instructions are easy to follow and complete with helpful time-saving tips (marinated chicken tikka can be stored in the freezer for up to four months to be cooked another time). Muslim readers will especially appreciate Allibhai’s guide to a healthy Ramadan, where she notes that when breaking fast, eating slowly “will make such a huge difference in the way you feel for the rest of the night.” It’s an inviting collection of healthy and crowd-pleasing meals. (Aug.)