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
Slicked and Spicy Lamb Noodles
Cumin-inflected noodles of Northern China inspired this weeknight pasta with ground lamb and store-bought noodles.
Recipes & Menus
Caramel Apple Snacking Cake
Classic caramel apples get reimagined as a cake, complete with a glossy top and soft, custardy interior.
Recipes & Menus
Gyoza and Greens With Chile Butter
Transform store-bought dumplings into a restaurant-worthy meal using wilted greens, creamy garlicky yogurt, and plenty of chile butter.
Recipes & Menus
Mango Salsa
A juicy, sweet, and spicy accompaniment for fish tacos, grilled chicken, or a big bowl of tortilla chips.
Recipes & Menus
Black Bean Smash Burger
Our genius solution for a black bean burger that’s not at all gummy: Treat it like a smash burger, griddle until crispy, and devour with lots of chipotle mayo.
Recipes & Menus
Blistered Corn and Scallion Salad
A delightful corn salad whose components can be prepared and chilled ahead of time so that all thats left to do is assemble and enjoy.
Recipes & Menus
Cheesy Cornbread With Tomatoes
This highly portable cornbread filled with salty, creamy feta is an ideal companion to any BBQ, potluck, picnic, or other summertime gathering.
Recipes & Menus
Cucumber Caesar With Spicy Breadcrumbs
A refreshing take on a Caesar salad, complete with a lighter dressing and a kicky crunch.
Recipes & Menus
Chaat-Style Potato Salad
Expect an explosion of flavor in this potato salad inspired by the sweet-salty Indian snack.
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
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
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
Kalimati
These adorable East African doughnuts are fluffy, chewy, and doused in cardamom syrup. No kneading or shaping required.
Recipes & Menus
Shawarma-Spiced Carrots With Date and Herb Salad
Shawarma spices aren’t just for chicken and meat.
Recipes & Menus
Lactation Cookies
These nutty, chocolaty treats are perfect for anyone who’s lactating—and just as delicious for everyone else.
Recipes & Menus
Mini Knafeh With Rose and Pistachio
When you bake this Middle Eastern dessert in a muffin tin rather than a party-size round, everyone gets as much of the crispy-crunchy, ghee-soaked pastry as possible.