Zaynab Issa
Zaynab Issa is an associate food editor at Bon Appétit. After working on a self-published zine that formalized her family’s East-African Indian recipes, she began freelancing at Buzzfeed and contributing culturally rooted recipes and stories to Bon Appétit and Food52. She’s an avid baker and carb lover. Her approach to recipe development keeps the home cook front of mind, prioritizing ease and flexibility. Zaynab grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Baruch College with a B.A. in Journalism and Marketing. She currently lives in New York and enjoys creating video content for TikTok, scouring thrift stores for platters and purses, and exploring New York’s restaurant scene in her free time.
Recipes & Menus
Seared Halloumi Cheese and Nectarine Salad
It’s all about the flavor and textural contrast between the salty, seared Halloumi cheese and sweet, juicy nectarines in this peak summer side.
Recipes & Menus
Som-Tam-Style Chicken Salad
This dish marries the key spicy-sour elements of classic Thai green papaya salad with zesty grilled chicken and the best of summer produce.
Recipes & Menus
Pan-Fried Pizza With Peaches and Burrata
Forget cranking up the oven—these adorable little pizzas take only six minutes to cook on the stove.
Recipes & Menus
Curried Tomato Sandwich
Sandwich your summer tomato bounty between mayo-slathered slices of fried bread sizzled in curry powder.
Recipes & Menus
Cucumber and Cilantro Chutney Sandwich
Give the classic cucumber sandwich an herbaceous punch with a lemony cilantro-jalapeño chutney.
Recipes & Menus
Any-Berry Lemon Ricotta Cake
This is our quintessential summer dessert: rich ricotta cake swirled through with jammy berries in every bite.
Recipes & Menus
Sweet and Sticky Grilled Chicken
This quick-cooking grilled half chicken recipe has a tangy bbq-like glaze made from marmalade, mustard, and sherry vinegar.
Recipes & Menus
Nutty Umami Noodles With Scallion Brown Butter and Snow Peas
Brown butter and savory oyster sauce make a flavor duo so beautiful we're wondering what took us so long to combine them.
Recipes & Menus
Saffron Milk Cake
Sponge cake takes a bath in sweet saffron-infused milk, emerges sunshine-yellow and ready to feed a crowd.
Recipes & Menus
Kalimati
These adorable East African doughnuts are fluffy, chewy, and doused in cardamom syrup. No kneading or shaping required.
Recipes & Menus
Mango-Lime Spritzer
The beloved snack of mangoes with lime and chili powder, reimagined as a sunny drink.
Recipes & Menus
Shawarma-Spiced Carrots With Date and Herb Salad
Shawarma spices aren’t just for chicken and meat.
Recipes & Menus
Date-and-Soy-Braised Short Ribs
Inspired by Filipino adobo, this comforting braise gets depth and balance from Medjool dates.
Recipes & Menus
Whipped Ricotta Toast With Date and Rhubarb Compote
Sweet and creamy meets crunchy and tart.
Recipes & Menus
Gochujang-Sesame Noodles
Spicy gochujang and creamy tahini come together harmoniously in this punchy, umami-rich noodle dish.
Recipes & Menus
Red Lentil Soup With Preserved Lemon and Crispy Garlic
That bag of lentils in the back of your pantry is in for a major glow-up.
Recipes & Menus
Lactation Cookies
These nutty, chocolaty treats are perfect for anyone who’s lactating—and just as delicious for everyone else.