Eat Small Plates

The vivacious couple behind Bengingi share their favorite mix-and-match-ready recipes You may know Ben Siman-Tov better as Bengingi, social media’s high-energy baker and cook, who joyfully shouts “YASSS!” at the end of his cooking tutorials. But Ben’s life in food began long before he stood in front of the camera in his kitchen. Ben traveled the world learning about different cuisines, worked in revolutionary Israeli restaurants, and ultimately went to study at Slow Food University in the Italian Alps, where he met his now wife Zikki. Together, Ben and Zikki have combined their culinary sensibilities—Ben’s knack for vibrant Israeli flavors and Zikki’s passion for shareable, Ukranian-inspired dishes—to cultivate an effortless, flexible way of cooking. For Ben and Zikki, small plates are their ideal dishes and a way of life. Whether it’s babaganoush and garlicky toum spread over pita, or tangy chopped salads served with veggie bites and Arabic Ceviche, these small plates make assembling a flavorful meal an everyday occurrence. What’s more, they mean you’ll always be prepared to open your kitchen and share with friends and family. Kitchen-savvy Ben and Zikki share their advice for everything from charring an eggplant to perfection, making pickling part of your daily routine, and hosting like a pro. Packed with irresistible recipes and vivid photography, Eat Small Plates is your guide to a feast-ready lifestyle and spreading the love through food.