Kitab al Halawiat (The book of sweets)
The Book of Sweets is an gastronomic text and cookbook compiled and written by the Caliph al-Saalihin in the 3rd century AW. it contains over 140 recipes for desserts including everything from date porridge to the complex sugar sculptures paraded during New Year's. Most of the recipes were adapted from pre-existing recipes from Sāmāniyān.
Purpose
When the Caliphate settled in Medinat al-'Anhar, most of the members of the new elite bureaucratic class came from the remnants of Sāmāniyān, whose empire had once been a part of this region. Their clothing, customs and culinary expertise were soon fashionable for those who lived in urban areas under the caliphate.
Gastronomy was a common hobby for the Caliphs and they enjoyed collecting and experimenting with different recipes.
Historical Details
Legacy
This book is only the most famous of the over 2000 cookbooks written by various authors during that time. al-Saalihin went on to write a series of cookbooks about both sweet and savory items, as well as the foods of Al-Sinu and al-Hind.
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