“A Baker’s Odyssey,” by Greg Patent

If you crave cookbooks that bring the cultural history each recipe alive, Greg Patent’s new “A Baker’s Odyssey,” belongs on your shelf. The James Beard award-winning author interviewed and baked with more than 60 people, who shared their recipes secrets and culinary heritage. The book includes recipes from more than 30 cultures, including Austria, Norway, Italy, Mexico, India and Nigeria. Patent won a 2002 James Beard award for his book “Baking in America.” Patent, the son of an Iraqi mother and Russian father, emigrated to the U.S. as a child. He shares five recipes he learned from his mother, Iraqi “granny” and Russian grandmother in the book. Patent now lives in Missoula.

Look inside today’s Food section for the recipe for Date Babas.