Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak is a story of two teenagers from the northern part of Cyprus who meet and fall in love during a disastrous war that leaves them separated for years. Laura Horst joins Gail Martin to make a meal representing Greece and Turkey and both sides of Cyprus.

00:00 Introduction and Book Overview
01:37 Starting the Turkish Pide (Flatbread)
03:16 The Mezze: Stuffed Grape Leaves and Regional Appetizers
06:43 Themes of Love and Conflict
09:12 The Fig Tree as a Main Character
11:30 Intermission & Menu Preview
12:06 Oven-Fresh Pide and Roasted Greek Chicken
13:43 Preparing the Turkish Pea Salad
15:15 Crafting a Traditional Greek Salad
18:30 The Search for the Missing
21:28 The Journey of a Sprout: From Cyprus to London
23:12 The Grand Feast and Final Recommendations