Kaukasis by Olia Hercules - A Culinary Journey Through Georgia, Azerbaijan & Beyond - Non Fiction - Hardcover

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781681883038
Publisher: Weldon Owen

Overview
Olia Hercules invites home cooks on a vivid journey through the Caucasus, spanning Georgia, Azerbaijan, and neighboring regions rarely explored in Western kitchens. Drawing on family recipes and firsthand travel, Hercules gathers more than 100 dishes that showcase the area's bold spices, fresh herbs, and centuries-old traditions shaped by the crossroads of Europe and Asia. From smoky grilled meats and hearty stews to bright salads and delicate pastries, each recipe pairs clear instructions with cultural context, making this an approachable yet richly authentic introduction to a cuisine still largely undiscovered by most American home cooks.

About the Book
Kaukasis grew out of Olia Hercules's own family history and years of travel through the Caucasus, a region where Europe meets Asia and where food carries the weight of centuries of trade, migration, and hospitality. Rather than a simple recipe collection, the book reads as a travelogue, moving through Georgia, Azerbaijan, and surrounding areas while explaining how geography, climate, and cultural exchange shaped each region's signature flavors. Readers encounter Georgia's famous supra feasting traditions, walnut- and pomegranate-laced sauces, and cheese-filled breads, alongside Azerbaijan's saffron-scented rice dishes, herb-packed stews, and delicate stuffed vegetables. Throughout, Hercules blends personal anecdotes and portraits of home cooks she met while traveling with practical guidance on sourcing ingredients and adapting techniques for a Western pantry, so unfamiliar staples like sour plum sauce or blue fenugreek never feel out of reach. The hardcover format suits a book meant to be returned to again and again, its sturdy binding built for a working kitchen shelf rather than a one-time read. Lush photography captures both finished dishes and the landscapes and markets behind them, reinforcing the sense that every recipe ties to a specific place and story. Home cooks looking to expand beyond familiar Mediterranean or Middle Eastern staples will find an entry point into a lesser-known but deeply rewarding culinary tradition built on generosity, resourcefulness, and bold, balanced flavor. Whether cooked dish by dish or read cover to cover, Kaukasis rewards curiosity with a genuinely new way of thinking about regional cooking.

Key Benefits

• Explore authentic Caucasus flavors with clear, home-cook-friendly instructions.
• Discover 100+ dishes spanning Georgian, Azerbaijani, and surrounding cuisines.
• Enjoy lush photography that captures dishes, markets, and landscapes.
• Build confidence with practical substitutions and sourcing tips for hard-to-find ingredients.
• Gain cultural context and storytelling that deepen appreciation for each region.
• Durable hardcover edition built to last on a working kitchen shelf.

About the Author
Olia Hercules is a Ukrainian-born, London-based chef, food writer, and food stylist known for bringing the flavors of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus to a wider audience. Kaukasis was her second cookbook, following her acclaimed debut Mamushka, and reflects her deep personal connection to the region through family ties and extensive travel. She has since published further books exploring Ukrainian home cooking and co-founded a fundraising initiative supporting Ukraine. Hercules is celebrated for pairing meticulous recipe development with warm, story-driven writing that makes unfamiliar cuisines feel personal, approachable, and worth cooking again and again.

Why You'll Love This Book
Kaukasis brings a genuinely fresh cuisine into the American kitchen, pairing bold, unfamiliar flavors with clear, doable recipes. Its sturdy hardcover and stunning photography make it a standout coffee-table cookbook as well as a working kitchen reference. It's an ideal gift for adventurous cooks, holiday hosts, and anyone building a well-traveled cookbook shelf.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.