Enter our worldwide giveaway to win a copy of Sour Cherries and Toast: Culinary Wonderings and a Handful of Romanian Dishes by Diana Iovescu Tatucu.

Step into a world of vibrant flavors and heartfelt reflections with this debut cookbook from Diana Ionescu Tatucu, where food and stories come together to create a timeless celebration of connection and belonging.

More than just a collection of recipes, Sour Cherries and Toast is a lovingly crafted time capsule for Diana's children—two third-culture kids growing up between worlds. Having lived in seven countries across three continents, Diana blends the flavors of her Romanian roots with culinary adventures spanning two decades, creating a book that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Packed with 60 approachable recipes, the book offers dishes like Cold sour cherry soup, Rose petal fizz, Charred eggplant spread, Cheese and wild greens bread, and Baked quince with honey walnut drizzle. With chapters such as Seasonal Rituals, highlighting the joys of cooking with nature’s rhythm, From the Garden and Pantry, celebrating fresh, simple ingredients, and Culinary Wonderings, exploring the stories behind beloved dishes. Diana’s clear instructions, easy recipes, and creative twists make Sour Cherries and Toast a book to enjoy in the kitchen and her inviting stories are written to be consumed while curled up in your favorite chair.

The "Read Sample" on Amazon will give you a taste of the author's writing along with the index listing the contents of the book. Diana has also written two children's books before penning this cookbook/memoir: Where in the World I Come From and The Rainbow That Feeds Us.

Diana took some time to share a Quick Bites for us:

Q: What first triggered your interest in cooking/baking and what is your first cooking memory?

Interestingly, I was never formally taught how to cook, and I didn’t stand next to my grandmother kneading dough. Life simply was. Cooking wasn’t a special event—it was part of the rhythm of everyday life. I saw the women in my family cook not as a performance, but as something you just did. And over time, it became second nature to me too.

My cooking also reflects my global journey. I’ve lived in 7 countries across 3 continents, and that experience shows up on my plate. I love cooking with color—I always tell my kids we need at least five colors and three nutritional groups in every meal. Our daily meals are built around a good protein and a variety of fruits and vegetables, always elevated with local herbs and spice blends—from za’atar to turmeric to wild dill.

Q: If you had to describe your style, what would it be?

My style is nostalgic yet global—it’s rooted in the flavors and memories of my childhood in Romania, but shaped by the places I’ve lived and the cultures I’ve embraced. I cook with emotion, color, and curiosity, always seeking balance between tradition and reinvention. My dishes are intentional and grounded, but also playful and full of life.

Q: Are you a cookbook collector? If so, tell us about your collection – number of books, favorite genre, favorite author? What do you look for in a cookbook?

Yes, I’m definitely a cookbook collector! I love wandering into bookstores wherever I am in the world—there’s always something new to discover. I gravitate toward cookbooks that are layered with stories and memories, where food is woven into a larger narrative about place, people, and time.

Some of my favorites are Olia Hercules’ Mamushka and Tessa Kiros’ Apples for Jam. Tessa’s writing is filled with bright, nostalgic storytelling that I find so moving and honest. I probably have around a few dozen books now, and I keep going back to them not just for recipes, but for inspiration and connection.

Q: What is the best part of your job? Do you sometimes feel like working with food all day keeps you from wanting to get creative in the kitchen?

The best part is that it feeds my creative energy, and I can do it from anywhere in the world. As a family that moves often due to my husband’s work, I’ve had to find ways to root myself professionally in places where I was constantly starting over. Cooking became that grounding force—a portable passion.

I never set out to become an author. The book came from a deep need to document my culinary memories, to preserve the tastes and feelings of a childhood my children won’t experience—those lazy, unstructured summers, always spent in the same place, surrounded by familiar faces and food traditions. This work lets me turn memory into something lasting.

Q: What is your go-to for a quick dinner (and for dessert)?

I always think in color, and I choose ingredients based on what’s local and seasonal wherever I am. A quick dinner might be a whole roasted fish with a herbed butter bean, arugula, and pomegranate salad—fresh, nourishing, and full of texture. I also love a steak paired with a baked whole sweet potato and crumbled feta—simple but satisfying.

For dessert, I lean into ease and comfort: a seasonal fruit crumble or a quick yogurt mousse with honey, nuts, and a sprinkle of spice.

Tell us about your book:

The book is a time capsule—a way to capture and preserve a world that shaped so many of us growing up. It’s also a personal testimony for my children, a glimpse into how life used to be, when summers stretched long and slow, and food was at the heart of everything. It’s full of memories, traditional recipes, and the kinds of dishes that tell a story just by being passed from one generation to the next.

Be sure to follow Diana on Instagram

Enter to our worldwide giveaway to win one copy of Sour Cherries and Toast. You will enter the giveaway as set out below. If you have any questions about this process email me at jenny at eatyourbooks.com directly.

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