Eat Small Plates - by Ben Siman-Tov & Zikki Siman-Tov (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The vivacious couple behind Bengingi share their favorite mix-and-match-ready recipes

You may know Ben Siman-Tov better as Bengingi, social media's high-energy baker and cook, who joyfully shouts "YASSS!" at the end of his cooking tutorials. But Ben's life in food began long before he stood in front of the camera in his kitchen. Ben traveled the world learning about different cuisines, worked in revolutionary Israeli restaurants, and ultimately went to study at Slow Food University in the Italian Alps, where he met his now wife Zikki. Together, Ben and Zikki have combined their culinary sensibilities--Ben's knack for vibrant Israeli flavors and Zikki's passion for shareable, Ukranian-inspired dishes--to cultivate an effortless, flexible way of cooking. For Ben and Zikki, small plates are their ideal dishes and a way of life.

Whether it's babaganoush and garlicky toum spread over pita, or tangy chopped salads served with veggie bites and Arabic Ceviche, these small plates make assembling a flavorful meal an everyday occurrence. What's more, they mean you'll always be prepared to open your kitchen and share with friends and family. Kitchen-savvy Ben and Zikki share their advice for everything from charring an eggplant to perfection, making pickling part of your daily routine, and hosting like a pro. Packed with irresistible recipes and vivid photography, Eat Small Plates is your guide to a feast-ready lifestyle and spreading the love through food.

Review Quotes

"There is nothing small about Ben and Zikki. Their table is full to the brim with the great gestures that make hospitality the most generous of human activities. I love their attitude, I love their style, I love their smiles, and I LOVE their pita." --Yotam Ottolenghi

"This book is your ultimate guide to hosting unforgettable gatherings with delicious food. Ben and Zikki bring together years of expertise in creating memorable events, along with a lifetime of layered flavors and incredible recipes. It is a treasure for anyone looking to elevate their cooking, baking, or hosting. A perfect gift for anyone who loves entertaining and experimenting with a variety of flavors!" --Betül Tunç, New York Times bestselling author of Turkuaz Kitchen

"Everyone knows that Zikki is Ben's better half, except when it comes to pita. Their food makes my belly feel warm and fuzzy. YASSS!!" --Benny Blanco, New York Times bestselling author of Open Wide

"Never has there been such an iconic, thoughtful, and delicious debut cookbook since my own! What a privilege it is to get to witness Ben and Zikki take over the food world!" --Jake Cohen, New York Times bestselling author of Jew-ish and I Could Nosh

"'Small plates, big hearts' could easily be an alternate title for this ebullient, gorgeous, and delicious book. Ben and Zikki's food radiates love, generosity, and good taste, infused with the unique fusion of cultures that makes them and their cooking so special." --Adeena Sussman, New York Times bestselling author of Shabbat

"I so admire Ben's expert but loving approach to food. His and Zikki's first cookbook is a love letter to joyful Israeli cooking everywhere, with beautiful recipes for the whole family." --Michael Solomonov, chef and co-owner of Zahav

"If you want to master the art of hosting; make everyone feel welcome at your table; and impress your guests with homemade dips, breads, salads, desserts and beyond, Ben and Zikki created the perfect cheat sheet for us. Eat Small Plates is here to shape the way we host and dine with a collection of incredibly fresh and vibrant dishes." --Carolina Gelen, New York Times bestselling author of Pass the Plate

"These two! Incredible people and cooks by themselves but absolutely deadly as a team...so stoked to cook from this one." --Brad Leone, New York Times bestselling author of Field Notes for Food Adventures

"Hosting a dinner party can be overwhelming, even for an experienced chef. This is the kind of food you want at your next gathering--fun, interesting, and all conversation starters. You can't help but smile after picking up and flipping through this book." --Joe Sasto, chef and Food Network Star

About the Author

Ben Siman-Tov is a baker, chef, and creator of Bengingi where he teaches his followers how even the most complex treats can be made at home. Ben has experience in hospitality and gastronomy around the world and studied under industry leaders like Eyal Shani and Erez Komorovsky. He and his wife Zikki Siman-Tov run a successful catering business, Eat Small Plates, which services everything from weddings to corporate events. Having launched their business from New York, Ben and Zikki now live with their daughter in New Jersey.