The Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook

Explore the diverse cuisine of Spain’s Balearic Islands - Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera - through 155 authentic home cooking recipes.

Located off the Spanish Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands are renowned for their natural beauty, yet their cuisine has been largely underappreciated. This evocative recipe collection transports readers to the family kitchens, cafes, and markets of the archipelago, revealing a distinct culinary heritage shaped by the region’s geography.

The islands’ most beloved dishes celebrate local produce, familiar Mediterranean ingredients - olive oil and garlic, rice and fresh fish - and resourceful cooking methods passed down for generations. From Menorcan-Style Stuffed Eggplant, Baked Fish with Spinach and Swiss Chard, Black Rice with Cuttlefish and Artichokes, and Pork with Wild Mushrooms to Baked Figs, Almond Cookies, and Formentera’s most famous dessert, Fresh Cheesecake with Mint, the book’s recipes include both sweet and savory classics.

Alongside the bounty of delicious dishes, acclaimed author Jeff Koehler presents vivid short essays highlighting culinary traditions, such as weekly village markets and St Martin’s Day festivities; local ingredients, including cured sausages and tomato preserves; and essential techniques, such as preparing a perfect sofregit. Illustrated with gorgeous photography of the food and local landscapes, The Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook captures the essence of one of the world’s most enchanting destinations.

Award-winning writer Jeff Koehler is the author of eight critically acclaimed books, most recently The North African Cookbook (Phaidon, 2023). His writing has appeared in many publications including the Washington Post, Saveur, Taste, Times Literary Supplement, Food & Wine, the South China Post magazine, and Vogue Arabia. He has long divided his time between his homes in Barcelona and Menorca.