Now Bismillah

A Middle Eastern American cookbook of 100 craveable, comforting home recipes that are low effort but never shy of incredible flavor, from the mastermind behind The Golden Balance

Influenced by flavors from the Middle East all the way to the American Midwest, Ahmad Alzahabi of The Golden Balance fearlessly explores global cuisines from a culinary perspective that is rich, creative, and appealing to a vast range of palates. In his debut cookbook, Now Bismillah, Ahmad invites readers into his Syrian American kitchen to try 100 astoundingly flavorful recipes for every meal of the day—all using approachable methods, readily available ingredients, and equipment you already have at home. 


Equal parts educational and resonant, Now Bismillah showcases the beauty of what it means to blend cultures and cook for a community. Every level of cook will learn something new with Ahmad’s global techniques like how baking soda can transform homemade hummus, how to make the perfectly crisp smash burgers, and how to find the best sushi-grade fish.

Recipes include:

• Short Rib Mac n’ Cheese, seasoned to perfection with Midwestern barbeque flavors
• Atayef Asafiri, a decadent crepe-like dessert enjoyed by Ahmad and his relatives during Ramadan
• Hummus with Tenderloin and Pine Nuts and Lentil Soup with Lemon Oil, straight from Ahmad’s mother’s kitchen
• Plant-forward classics like Shirazi Salad and Golden Cauliflower Mash with Crispy Pita
• Heartier meaty mains with incredible flavor combinations, like Candied Beef Bacon Burgers and Hot Honey Wings

With tips for techniques, “food for thought” anecdotes, and vibrant photography woven throughout, Now Bismillah is a celebration of flavor-forward dishes that pay tribute to what it means to embody approachable—and crowd-pleasing—Middle Eastern American home cooking.