Kitāb al-ṭabīẖ

The Kitāb al-ṭabīẖ (Arabic: كتاب الطبيخ, lit. 'the cookbook'), formally the Kitāb al-Ṭabikh fī al-Maghrib wa al-Andalus fī ʽAṣr al-Muwaḥḥidīn (Arabic: كتاب الطبخ في المغرب والأندلس في عصر الموحدين, lit. 'The book of cooking in Maghreb and Al-Andalus in the era of the Almohads'), is the oldest known cookbook from the Iberian Peninsula. Written in Arabic, this text is believed to have been composed during the 12th or 13th centuries, during or shortly after the Almohad period.

The Kitāb al-ṭabīẖ features 462 recipes categorized by type and purpose. It begins with classical quotations on the importance of appetite and taste, integrating culinary practices with medical knowledge. The manuscript is divided into five parts, focusing on simple dishes, a variety of meats, vegetables, bread, sweets, and medicinal preparations. The text includes six explicitly Jewish recipes, reflecting the multicultural environment of Medieval Spain. Other recipes may also have Jewish origins and include early versions of dishes still consumed in Sephardic Jewish cuisine.

The author’s identity remains uncertain, though he is believed to be an educated Andalusian with extensive knowledge of culinary and medical practices. Translation of this book into English was completed by Charles Perry.