Keep It Zesty

From the beloved chef and owner of Edy’s Grocer, a deeply personal celebration of Lebanese flavors adopted for the modern home cook.

Born in a small fishing village in Lebanon, Edy Massih grew up eating and cooking alongside his Teitas (grandmothers) Odette and Jacquo, who taught him the secret to delicious Lebanese food, including how to roll garlic labneh balls and bind homemade kibbeh by hand. Growing up in America from the age of ten, Edy steadily built his career as a chef and caterer on these dishes and many more from his native land. But in 2020, the pandemic nearly derailed his dreams. Then a beloved deli in his Brooklyn neighborhood—run by his adopted Teita, Maria—was up for grabs. Maria decided to retire and turn the keys over to Edy. The new sign, Edy's Grocer, went up and the Lemony Corner of Brooklyn was born.

In Keep It Zesty, Edy shares his story and more than more than 115 easy-to-follow recipes for some of his favorite dishes—traditional Lebanese fare with a modern twist. Infused with the zestiness and positivity he brings to everyday life, Keep It Zesty offers everything adventurous home cooks need to whip up a delicious weeknight meal and entertain guests. Edy shows you how to build your own Brown Paper Board (the super-sized charcuterie board of your dreams), alongside recipes for mouthwatering starters like Orangey Date Carrot Dip and Spicy Fig Jam; show-stopping breakfasts such as Rosewater Raspberry Dutch Baby and Tomato Halloumi Skillet; Za’atar Chicken Thighs and Everything Sumac Salmon with Sweetie Tahini Eggplant and other mouthwatering weeknight dishes; Pistachio-Crusted Lamb Chops and Shawarma Chicken Taco Night to wow even the most difficult of guests; and sweets and drinks from Pistachio Halva Rice Krispies to Jallab Rosey Iced Tea with Pine Nuts. Plus, you’ll find easy tips and tricks from a one-man catering (and Grocer-owning) powerhouse.

In addition to his amazing dishes, Edy includes helpful recipe charts for easy customization—accompanied by odes to Middle Eastern pantry staples, more than 100 truly stunning photographs of food and lovingly preserved family pictures, and heartwarming essays dedicated to the women in his life who shaped Edy along the way.

Delicious, accessible, bursting with flavor and full of the joy of life, this rich cookbook introduces a young culinary star on the rise and inspires home cooks everywhere to keep it zesty!