4. The Convent

Colette Rossant recalls being sent to convent school, where she continued her personal gourmet quest.

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.