There are the chefs of foreign food channels that shop at picturesque farmers markets for delectable fruits and vegetables; whipping them up into drool worthy creations in shiny pots and pans; dipping into one and then another ceramic bowl for this spice and that sauce.

Then, there are our homegrown Pakistani variety, the cooking oil Apas and their lesser kin; conjuring up novel curries, and filling up the intervals of sautéing and frying with household tips and some spiritual advice.

In recent months, a new entrant has entered the realm of culinary warfare.

In the midst of murder and pillaging, the Islamic State (also known as Daish or ISIS) has gone ahead and launched their very own cookbook. See the Arabic version here.

This recipe compilation is a product of the Islamic State’s Al-Zawra School, whose mission is to educate the wives and daughters and sisters of Islamic State fighters “for the battlefield of jihad.”

Look through: Al Qaeda issues advice magazine for militants

The cookbook notes the importance of being well-versed in the kitchen because the women are going to be engaged in the important task of “cooking for Allah’s soldiers”.