Food for Sharing: Love and Spices from an Immigrant Kitchen

Ismail-Singer (The Laden Table), who grew up in Malawi and England before settling in New Zealand as an adult, draws from her peripatetic life for this wide-ranging and cheery collection. Many recipes come directly from family: the author’s twin sister contributes chicken shawarma with pickled onions, and her mother’s spicy shrimp also makes an appearance. Chapters are loosely organized by occasion and come with themed menus that serve as helpful prompts for hosting. A chapter on outdoor entertaining, for example, includes zucchini and corn fritter sandwiches with zingy mango chutney, as well as goat cheese quiche in an oat and whole wheat crust topped with sliced tomatoes. Many dishes, like hard-boiled eggs in tomato curry, are quick to prepare, but a chapter of more elaborate meals features spice-rubbed roast chicken on pilau rice and biryani topped with pretty rosettes made of phyllo dough. Ismail-Singer is full of similarly clever ideas, including battering and frying baby spinach leaves for finger food and marrying baklava and cheesecake. The inventive dessert chapter also serves up baked Alaska with a frozen mango and cardamom mousse, while nonalcoholic drinks such as iced tea with apricot puree are thoughtful additions. The prose is informal, but instructions are clear and professional. The result is a lovely and accessible collection. (Feb.)