A lovely, first printing hardcover of the true British edition. The book is pristine with no markings, the dust jacket is well-preserved with no shelf wear. Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons: Enchanting Dishes from the Middle East, Mediterranean, and North Africa by Diana Henry, first published in 2002, is much more than just a cookbook. While it does offer a diverse collection of recipes inspired by the culinary traditions of these regions, it also serves as a cultural and historical exploration of the foods, ingredients, and flavors associated with the Middle East, Mediterranean, and North Africa. Her passion for the cuisine shines through not just in the recipes but in the way she celebrates the beauty and diversity of the regions’ food cultures. The book reads almost like a travel narrative, transporting the reader through different regions, revealing how food is intricately tied to geography, history, and the ways people live and celebrate.