The Carton

The Carton, a two-year-old Beiruti food quarterly produced in English, Arabic, and French, features writers from throughout the Middle East. It's a wildly exciting read, at turns serious (exploring how Lebanon's Brazilian community has maintained its identity, hanging onto traditional pork dishes despite local taboos); sensual (an exegesis on the art of cake decorating from a fashion designer); and somber (a woman's diary-style reflection on her meals in prison). The eclectic writing is matched by lively photography and wide-ranging recipes for dishes like yufka, a Turkish pastry filled with lamb and accompanied by garlicky yogurt and hot pepper oil; and a Yemeni chicken soup spiced with coriander, peppers, cloves, and cardamom. Each story is an enriching take on the modern Middle Eastern experience, each page visually dynamic and packed with information. We can't wait for the next issue.