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Book Details:
Book Title: World Explorer Family Cookbook by Nabila Khashoggi
Category: Middle-Grade Non-Fiction (Ages 8-12), 215 pages
Genre: Cookbook
Publisher: Full Cycle Publications
Publication Date: May 2025.
Content Rating: G
Full Cycle Publications
AMAZON
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Born along the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean and raised amid the rich cultures of Europe, Nabila Khashoggi blends global inspiration with entrepreneurial passion. She founded NABILA K, a lifestyle brand offering skincare, makeup, home ambiance, and products that celebrate indulgence and well-being.
Nabila sparked her young son's imagination with fantastical bedtime tales of a boy and his adventurous friends traveling the globe inside a living green egg — a whimsical extraterrestrial guide. These enchanting narratives blossomed into Spartan and the Green Egg, a colorful children's graphic novel and chapter-book series that introduces young readers to environmental stewardship, cultural diversity, and the wonders of our world.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Q & A with Nabila Khashoggi: The Story (and Flavors) Behind The Explorer’s Cookbook
Q1: What inspired you to write The Explorer’s Cookbook?
A: Honestly? Curiosity, and maybe a pinch of mischief. I’ve always believed that food is the easiest (and tastiest) way to travel. I wanted readers of my Spartan & the Green Egg adventure series to not only imagine faraway places but also taste them. And because airline tickets aren’t always in the budget, I thought: why not make the kitchen the runway?
Q2: How did you choose which recipes to include?
A: It was a bit like assembling a dinner party guest list. I wanted dishes that were approachable, exciting, and had great stories to tell. Some recipes were inspired by my own travels, others from conversations with friends, and some came from moments of “Ooh, I’ve always wanted to try that!” My rule was: if it makes me want to grab a fork immediately, it made the cut.
Q3: Do you have a favorite recipe from the book?
A: That’s like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. Impossible! That said… I have a soft spot for the Netherlands dish called Stamppot. It’s fragrant, comforting, and makes you feel like you’ve just wandered into a spice market, even if you’re still in your slippers.
Q4: What’s the funniest moment you had while testing recipes?
A: Oh, there were plenty. My kitchen became a comedy show at times. The award probably goes to my attempt at making dumplings with friends, let’s just say half of them looked like works of art and the other half… like something an alien might serve. We ate them all anyway.
Q5: How do you see families using this cookbook?
A: I imagine it as a passport in recipe form. Families can pick a recipe, learn about the country it’s from, maybe even play some traditional music while cooking. It’s a way to spark conversations and curiosity while building memories. And if a little flour ends up on the dog? That’s just part of the adventure.
Q6: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: That food is about connection, connection to each other and to the wider world. I want people to try new flavors, yes, but also to appreciate the cultures those dishes come from. If someone finishes a meal from this cookbook feeling a little more connected to the world, I’ll consider it a success.
Q7: Any advice for new cooks who might be intimidated?
A: Start simple, be curious, and don’t fear the mess. Even if the dish doesn’t turn out picture-perfect, you’ll have learned something, and you can always call it “rustic” and serve it proudly.
