Soo Fariista / Come Sit Down: A Somali American Cookbook

Have given three copies of this book to Somali friends. One used it in her restaurant training class. Converts traditional dishes handed down orally to written recipes.

I just received my copy of Soo fariista: Come sit down, a Somali American Cookbook, and I have got to say I am really enjoying it. It was put together by some Somali-American teenagers in Minneapolis, and just bursts with their vibrant personalities. Boys and girls alike worked on it, and in the intro they are listed alphabetically by first name.It is a beautifully constructed book with loads of photos and splendid graphics. Snippets of info hither and yon give us insights into Somali-American cookery. I know I never tasted any of the delicacies presented here, so they likely came from other regions of the country (I was in Baidoa, in southern Somalia, for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer). There are sections on holiday dishes, breads, meat, sides & sauces, rice, drinks and desserts. There's even a great recipe for shaah (Somali tea), and it tells how Somali french fries were invented when someone forgot to put a potato in another dish. Fun, funny, informative, useful. A joy to read.Anyone who just enjoys exotic foods will be even more surprised by Soo Fariista. Somalis are not known for international cuisine, but this book should set the record straight. The ingredients are generally available in the US, while the inspiration could only have come from Somalia. This truly spotlights the creativity of a country too often associated with war and poverty. The introductory material notes the legendary hospitality of Somalis, a trait I know to be real, and how food is always kept on hand for the unexpected guest.Somalis can be proud to have this book representing them in the kitchen.

One of my young friends was born in Somalia. She would talk of how her mother's cooking was the best. I love to try to cook different cuisines so because of friendship and my interest in cooking, and because I had heard of it on a podcast called Racist Sandwich, I bought it. So glad I did! For me, it was trying new food and I'd highly recommend it!

Love this book! Very easy to follow recipes and colorful and vibrant artwork on each page. Each page came with a fun fact or a funny anecdote. Thank you, we're having a blast trying your recipes.

One of the only books to find recipes for Somali food.

Beautiful book, great for meals for the family.

I love these recipes. I appreciate how the students adapted home recipes to fit easily found ingredients in the US.

Book is beautiful, as described. Would buy again.