This short and sweet cookbook delves into Persian cuisine through the eyes of the author. Arta Xerxes is a photographer, graphic designer, and chef. This artist's style is all over this cookbook. This book is described as a "visual journey of flavor," and I would say that is an apt description.

It's full of vibrant dishes. The photography is brilliant, but the recipes are worthwhile, as well. For the most part, the recipes are straightforward with clear, simple instructions. There are special ingredients, but they include tips on where to purchase them. There are also helpful cooking tips and bits of history tied in. Overall, it's a stunning book. I only wish it were longer, with even more recipes or more of the memoir-esque parts.

Wonderful book with a lot of love and soul packed into this! I will say there aren’t a lot of veggie options in here and it’s quite meat heavy, which is a shame because Persian cooking is more than just lamb stews but I still think (even as a vegetarian myself) that this is a great introduction to Persian cuisine!

Persian Soul Kitchen is a colorful and well written collection of recipes from author Arta Xerxes family history. Originally published in Danish in 2018, this English language translation was released 30th April 2026. It's 124 pages and is available in ebook format. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is such a colorful, beautifully put together book. The author's love for the cuisine shines through the pictures and reminiscences included. The book has a practical and accessible layout. The introduction includes kitchen and pantry lists with suggestions about sourcing ingredients. The recipes themselves are arranged thematically: starters, rice dishes, simmered dishes, kebab, soup, desserts & sweets. Recipes are written with an introduction, Persian dish name, bullet list of ingredients and step by step prep and cooking directions. Ingredient measurements are given in both Imperial (American) and metric measurements (yay!). Many ingredients will be readily available at any well stocked grocer in North America; some may require a trip to the local Middle Eastern/international store.

The book is absolutely packed with photographs, both of well styled food, attractively prepared, and photos of landscapes and personal family photos. The photography is one of the highlights (and there's a QR code in the back of the book which will allow readers to acquire prints of the landscape and art).

Four and a half stars with the understanding that it's a very short book, and it doesn't set out to be a comprehensive resource - this is a collection of family recipes fondly remembered and curated from the author's childhood and upbringing. The translation work is seamless and doesn't interfere with the flow of the book at all.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Book Review: Persian Soul Kitchen: From My Childhood To Your Table by Arta Xerxes

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently had the chance to explore Persian Soul Kitchen by Arta Xerxes, and I’m happy to give it a solid four stars. This book is a wonderful blend of personal memoir, stunning photography, and authentic Persian recipes, all wrapped up in a vibrant and inviting package.

Right from the start, the cover caught my attention—bold, colorful, and beautifully designed. It perfectly sets the tone for what’s inside: a heartfelt celebration of Iranian cuisine and culture. Arta’s love for his heritage shines through his storytelling and the carefully crafted pages. The book instantly feels warm and welcoming, like stepping into a family kitchen filled with rich aromas and stories.

The recipes are organized by chapters like starters (Mazzeh), rice dishes (Polo), hearty stews (Khoresht), kebabs, soups, and sweets. This makes it easy to find what you’re in the mood for. Each recipe comes with a short introduction that often shares personal memories or cultural background, followed by the dish’s Persian name, ingredient lists with both Imperial and metric measurements, and clear, step-by-step instructions. The layout is practical and accessible, perfect for cooks at any level.

What really sets this book apart is the photography. Every recipe is paired with gorgeous images that don’t just show the food—they capture its soul. Beyond the food shots, Arta includes intimate family photos from decades past and beautiful scenes from Iran’s landscapes. These visuals create a rich backdrop that connects food, memory, and place in a way that feels deeply personal and immersive.

I also appreciated the introduction where Arta offers tips on stocking your pantry and sourcing ingredients, which is super helpful for those new to Persian cooking or who don’t have easy access to specialty markets.

If there’s one small downside, it’s that occasionally I wished for more guidance on ingredient substitutions or alternative cooking methods for home cooks without all the traditional tools or ingredients. But overall, the book strikes a lovely balance between honoring tradition and making recipes approachable.

In summary, Persian Soul Kitchen is much more than a cookbook—it’s a visual and emotional journey through Iranian cuisine and culture. Whether you want to try your hand at Persian dishes or simply enjoy a beautiful collection of stories and photos, this book offers a genuine taste of Iran’s warmth and resilience.

Highlights:
- Stunning food photography alongside evocative family and cultural images
- Personal stories that enrich the recipes
- Clear, easy-to-follow recipes with dual measurements
- Thoughtful organization by type of dish
- Helpful tips on ingredients and pantry essentials

All in all, Persian Soul Kitchen is an inspiring cookbook that invites you into the heart of Persian food and family life. I’m looking forward to cooking from it—and savoring every bite along the way!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I love that this cookbook feels like you're being passed down family recipes, instead of a comprehensive take on all popular Persian food. Small stories of the authors parents, quotes, and beautiful photos will transport you into their world and how gorgeous and lush Iran is.

I love the description of different ingredients, why they were important to Persian cuisine and how they were brought into the fold. This book was a mix of education tossed amidst the recipes and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. The only struggle will be that a lot of the recipes include ingredients that are a lot harder to find in the western world. We have Persian bakeries nearby, but no markets within an hours drive, so it will be a bit of an adventure to make a few of these dishes! I can't wait to dive in and try a variety of the soups, kebabs and rice dishes available though, and I can't wait for my eggplant to ripen so I can add their creamy eggplant to my repertoire.

*****

I was sent a complimentary advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victoria Editing Coop for sending this my way!

Great cookbook with lovely photos and in depth recipes. This covered a wide range of Persian cuisine and we can’t.wait to try it out.

Persian Soul Kitchen is a fascinating look at Persian recipes and dishes, straight from the author's family and lie experiences. Photos are full-color and intriguing.

Many of the recipes are more straight-forward and accessible, like the Seafood Stew with Tamarind and the Lamb Kebabs, while a handful might be slightly out of reach for the average home cook (Spooky Soup requires two lamb heads). All together, it's a unique cookbook full of interesting recipes, many of which I would definitely make at home.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Persian Soul Kitchen: From My Childhood to Your Table by Arta Xerxes is a beautiful and heartfelt cookbook that feels like so much more than a collection of recipes. It brings together food, family, memories, and cultural tradition in a way that makes every dish feel personal and meaningful.
I loved the warmth behind the recipes and the sense of connection woven throughout the book. The food feels inviting and achievable, while still offering plenty of flavour, colour, and character. I especially appreciated how the author shares a part of their childhood and heritage through the meals, making the book feel like an invitation into their kitchen.
This is the kind of cookbook that inspires you to cook slowly, share generously, and appreciate the stories behind what you eat. It would make a wonderful addition to any food lover’s collection, especially for anyone interested in Persian cuisine and recipes made with heart.
A gorgeous, comforting, and inspiring cookbook. Five stars.

Such an inspiring book - much more than a cookbook - a walk into the heritage and history of Iran and Persian foods. With its lush and gorgeous landscapes and recipes, I learned so many new foods,traditions, and not just how to make an authentic dish. This was fun and an amazing book that brings the beauty of Iran, its culture and foods to light. I learned about many new spices, and ways of cooking, and serving food, Persian style. The use a lot of saffron, rose water, and lamb, as well as yogurt and pickles. Informative and entertaining, I loved the sly humor and the peek into Persian culture that is inspiring and interesting. This did inspire me, to try some of the recipes and to look at Iran in a different way. Phenomenal, I would be happy to add this to my cookbook collection.
Thanks to NetGalley for sending this for review.
#PersianSoulKitchen
#NetGalley

I will be adding this review to Amazon and Goodreads.

Beautiful book, a mix of recipes and memoir. Wonderful photography. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This is exactly how I like my cookbooks: specialised, authentic, well-presented, rich in culture and context, rich in recipes, excellent visuals.

I had such a fun time with this book. My dad is a Persian native now in the US longer than over there but it was nice to read through with him. Recommend in a sea of cookbooks you don't find many Persian ones