Going Home by Sophia Lindop

It is always exciting when a book you have worked on is released and I am thrilled to share some of the images of Going Home – Food and Stories from Lebanon, The Land of my Forefathers – by Sophia Lindop. The book is the culmination of a wonderful trip back to Lebanon in 2019 and coming back straight into the studio to shoot all the recipe images.

Going Home is Sophia’s 6th book and tells her deeply personal story of being a South African farm girl searching for her roots, wanting to retrace the steps her great-grandparents took to set up a new home in a new country. In the book she goes home, home to Lebanon, to find her people and in the process, she discovers food and recipes familiar from her childhood but also many new exotic flavours and dishes. The recipes are unfussy, ranging from Lebanese classics to modern interpretations, many with a South African touch. The recipes in book cover the whole gamut from simple salads, a wide variety of vegetarian dishes, interesting flavour combinations like Salmon Poached in Arak and traditional classics like Moujadara.

And of course, Going Home does not disappoint when it comes to sweet recipes. Cherry Clafoutis, Ma’amoul (there seems to be a never-ending batch of these in Sophia’s kitchen when visiting), Pine Nut and Honey Tart and my new favourite thing, Nammoura.

Herbed Labneh Balls

Cherry Clafoutis

Tripoli Street Scene

Lamb Pies

Pine Nut and Honey Tart

Sophia is a chef in Cape Town and conducts Lebanese cookery classes from her home kitchen, and we had known of each other for a long time but never met. I attended one of her fun and hands on Lebanese cooking classes and as we were standing at the sink cleaning knives she asked me to come to Lebanon with her, join her inaugural food tour and take images for the book. My reply was instant, I have had a burning desire to return to Lebanon since my first trip there in 2014, so saying yes was the easiest thing to say. From our few days together rediscovering Beirut, following along on the tour and shooting the rest of the book back in Cape Town, a wonderful friendship of food, laughs and more shoots have developed, rooted in a shared love of Lebanon, its food and its people.

I am giving away a signed copy of Going Home. Head over to my Instagram or Facebook page during this week where I will be sharing images of the book. Tell me which country Sophia visits in the book and tag two of your friends you would want to invite to a virtual dinner as you cook from the book. This giveaway is unfortunately only open to entrants from South Africa.

Pan Fried Fish Fillets Marinated in Olive, Lemon and Rosemary

Ma’amoul

Siyadiyeh

Mom’s Simple Tomato and Mint Salad

Cucumber Ribbon Salad

Nammoura

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into Going Home by Sophia Lindop.  If you’ve made any recipes do share it with me by tagging @heinstirred on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #heinstirred. It is always a treat to see the recipes made and enjoyed. And good luck winning that copy!

Going Home by Sophia Lindop is available in all major book stores.  Orders can also be placed at colettecombrink@gmail.com or on sophialindop.com

Going Home is published by Annake Müller Publishing