2. Ahmet and Grandmaman

Colette Rossant recalls learning recipes from an Arab cook and the art of shopping from her grandmother.

First published in 2001, 'Apricots on the Nile', subtitled 'A Memoir with Recipes' is a collection of the author Colette Rossant's recollections.

In 1937, five-year-old Colette arrived in Cairo from Paris with her Egyptian Jewish father and beautiful French mother. When her father died, Colette's mother abandoned her daughter to the care of her wealthy grandparents. She soon settled into their luxuriant, food-centred lifestyle.

The memoir, accompanied by mouth-watering description of dishes, evokes old world Egypt.

Abridged by Katrin Williams.

Read by Barbara Flynn.

Producer: Liz Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2001.