Sabzi: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes by Yasmin Khan

Drawing on two decades of human-rights advocacy and global media experience, Sabzi author, Yasmin Khan, brings a lot to the table. (Pardon the pun!) As a writer, her award-winning and bestselling travel cookbooks share stories of food and celebrating beauty in places often associated with conflict.

Earlier cookbooks, Zaitoun, Ripe Figs and The Saffron Tales were hugely popular but I think her latest, Sabzi: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes, looks like the most diverse and the tastiest! Born to Pakistani and Iranian parents, she started writing this book while pregnant. She recounts that while thinking about the meals she'd ultimately feed her daughter, the desire to share her heritage took on a greater significance and made her think about ancestry, lineage and the power of ancient traditions. She wanted to pass on food memories to her new family in a way that was fresh and reflected their contemporary way of eating.

The book offers 80+ accessible, plant-forward recipes that celebrate the best of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian flavors. From mezzes, sides, snacks, salads, hearty entrees to desserts, this gorgeous book is filled with mouthwatering recipes. Accompanied with beautiful photos and artwork, I hope the recipes are as tasty as the book is beautiful!

Sabzi is available through all our local library systems in hardcover and ebook formats. Additionally, it's a "Peak Pick" selection through Seattle Public Libraries. That means there are a few hundred copies in the system that can be checked out for two weeks, with no holds and no renewals. Be sure to look for the book in the "Peak Picks" section/s of the library you visit. Holds are available for some regularly shelved copies and ebooks, as well.

I'm posting more than a month before the event, so people can plan ahead. Because there are so many copies in the library systems, please choose a recipe from Sabzi: Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes only. (Please do not choose a recipe from the author's social media pages, website or previous books.) Also, if you choose a recipe that serves only 2 or 4, please increase your recipe for the event accordingly. Because there are so many dishes at our events, no one is expecting to eat a full serving of any dish, but ppl do want to try everything! Your cooperation and attention to this is appreciated!

Our feast will be held at a community room in the Phinney neighborhood. The address will be sent to the "Yes" RSVPs, who have posted their dish, a few days before the event. When you RSVP, you'll need to check your MU settings to be sure you have your settings set to allow for messages from event organizers. Otherwise, you won't receive the necessary direct communication for this event.

There's a small sink available and outlets for a hotplate or crockpot, but no other means of reheating dishes, so please keep this in mind when choosing your dish and transporting it. In order to confirm your RSVP, pick a dish from Sabzi and list what you'll be bringing in the comments below, no later than Wednesday, Jan. 21st, please. The rule of thumb is one dish per person (that will allow everyone attending at least a taste). If you have a +1 please bring two dishes or increase your chosen recipe accordingly.

Newbies, pls know that this group and our events aren't like many other Meet Ups in which ppl sign up and may or may not show up. We have a very dedicated group of regulars and occasional members. We also love welcoming new folks to the group but ask that ppl only sign up if they truly plan to show up (and with a dish/es from the chosen cookbook).

Also, while I recognize that ppl may have varying time constraints for all events, my events are not meant to be a "dine and dash" experience. To me, socializing is as delightful as the meal! After a previous event, a few of the new members asked why some folks ate and left so quickly. There were even a few dishes many of us didn't get to try before a few ppl left with their dish. I'd really like my events to be a fun, relaxing evening for all, in which ppl enjoy a great meal and the opportunity to connect with other members. Please keep this in mind in deciding if my events are a good fit for your schedule. Thank you.

If your plans change, please update your RSVP at least 48 hours in advance. Because this is an event that involves deciding on a recipe, getting the ingredients and cooking or baking, a lot of time and effort is put in by all attendees and hosts. Out of respect for all, we'd like an accurate headcount and spaces made available when there's a waitlist. Finally, if you’re feeling under the weather, please opt out of the event and update your RSVP, and we look forward to seeing you another time.

IMPORTANT additional reminders:
* Bring your own plates, utensils, cups, bowls, napkins, and serving utensils for your dish - and remember to take them home. Your dish must be prepared in advanced and ready to serve when you arrive.
* Plan to bring a few dollars to help cover the Meetup fees for hosting a group ($330+/year!!) and give to the event host and that will be passed along to our group's leader, Katy. Venmo and PayPal are also accepted and equally appreciated! Katy has posted instructions for that payment option on the Discussion Page.
* Make sure your Meetup settings allow event updates from organizers. If you don't see the emails, check your spam, or social folders (for those on Gmail).
* Feel free to bring a beverage to share, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Be there or be square!