My thoughts on Jewish food.
Hilbeh is a condiment that is, by tradition, served with Yemenite Meat Soup. There are a few different types of Hilbeh. Here is a video of the basic, whipped Hilbeh, a kind of light foam, reminiscent of not-quite-set whipped Jello, but with a piquant green flavor that adds new layers of flavor to an already …
The British Independent has an article accusing Israel of the cultural appropriation of Shawarma, using an article in the far-left Israeli newspaper Haaretz as proof. Haaretz called the rotisserie meat sandwich in a pita, “an iconic Israeli street food.” Popular Twitter account @TheMossadIL, on the other hand, points out that fully half of Israel’s population …
Shashuka is a full-flavored Mediterranean poached egg dish. You make a quick sauce with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic, with lots of olive oil, of course. Then you poach the eggs right in the skillet, just before serving. Marvelous with good bread to mop up that amazing sauce. You don’t need anything else. Easy Shakshuka …
When Rosh Hashana nears, a cook’s fancy turns lightly to fish. After all, it’s one of the symbolic foods we eat at holiday time. One extremely addictive way to prepare and eat fish is that ubiquitous dish served in Moroccan Jewish homes every Friday night. They call it simply “fish” and everyone else calls it …
This morning my senses were affronted by a Facebook how-to video on making rainbow hummus. It not only required you to wash a blender about a hundred million times, it looked absolutely disgusting—really foul! I like a good plate of chickpea mush as much as the next one, but let’s face it, no reason to …
Pickled lemons? You’re probably imagining someone taking a bite out of a lemon as if it were an apple. But pickled lemons, also known as “preserved lemons” aren’t at all like, for instance, pickled cucumbers. Pickled lemons are more like a Mediterranean condiment. You use the peel to add brightness and depth of flavor to …
For some people, hummus is da bomb. But in our home, Shabbos is not Shabbos without my special tehina sauce. Which is funny, because I’m Ashkenazi, and tehina is most definitely a Sephardic treat. Somehow, I’ve hit on the perfect rendition that even Sephardi Shabbos guests pronounce the best tehina they’ve ever tasted. It makes …
Israel is gearing up for a country-wide barbecue, come this Thursday, Israel’s 70th Independence Day. The truth is, Israelis like to barbecue any time, but Independence Day absolutely demands getting out the grill. A new article from Israel21C tells us that we should avoid cooking our burgers and steaks well done, as it can lead …
Boiled chickpeas seasoned with salt and pepper are traditional in the Ashkenazi kitchen for Purim. This custom reminds us that Esther, forced to live in King Ahashuerus’ palace, according to tradition ate nothing but legumes, in order to remain kosher. Chickpeas are fun to eat plain, but why not try a spicier rendition this year, …
With Chanuka coming up, let’s talk olives. They’re one of the seven species of the land of Israel. Noah knew the land was dry when a dove brought an olive branch. The state seal of the State of Israel depicts two olive branches. Olive trees live thousands of years. So yeah: definitely a Jewish food! …