With the onset of Ramadan, major bookshops in the Kingdom are doing a brisk business of selling cookery books. Many homemakers are apparently eager to try out new recipes and dishes during the holy month. Many are also trying to guide their maids on how to prepare tasty meals for family members and guests. Abdul Sattar, a leading bookshop salesman, said that along with Islamic books, cookery books are in greater demand these days. “During Ramadan (the most requests are) for recipe books. We have enough stock of famous chefs,” he said. The books are either written by famous Arab chefs or cookery program hosts on Arabic language television channels. As Ramadan is the month when most households have to entertain a large number of guests almost every evening, families have to think of a variety in terms of food they serve to visitors. Ayesha, an Indian housewife, told Saudi Gazette that there is a kind of competition in this area. “When we invite our friends for Iftar (breaking the fast), we make sure that the table is set with a different variety of dishes. It should be tasty also. For this purpose, I try to download recipes from the net and I also went to Jarir Bookstore to buy cookery books to try out new recipes” she said. In some Saudi households, to prepare meals is the task of the maid, with the women of the family guiding her. Umm Muhammad, a Saudi national, said: “I hardly venture into the kitchen unless I want to explain to the maid what is to be cooked and how. I have now bought my maid new cookery books and I will help her try out new dishes.”
