Israel: Recipes and Cuisine
Jewish culinary traditions often date back to Biblical times. Yet while Jews as a people have endured for over 3000 years, the modern state of Israel is relatively young. That coupled with the instability of the Palestinian conflict, have made it difficult for a truly national Israeli cuisine to develop. Nevertheless, a steady influx of Jewish immigrants from around the world has made for an exotic mix of flavors on the Israeli table and in the street.
Israeli Jewish Recipes
Beid Hamine
(Egyptian slow-cooked eggs)
Beid hamine is an Egyptian dish with origins in Egypt's ancient Jewish community. The long cooking time comes from the Jewish tradition of slow cooking food overnight to serve on Shabbat, when cooking is forbidden. Slow, steady heat makes the eggs creamy and smooth, and the onion skins impart a delicate flavor and attractive brown color to the whites. Coffee grounds aren't necessary, but they help give the eggs the desired brown color.
Carrot Tzimmes
(Israeli Jewish carrots braised with honey)
Tzimmes, or tsimmes, is a Jewish side dish that is a traditional part of a Rosh Hashanah meal. Carrot, or mehren, tzimmes, are a favorite, slowly simmered with honey to make a sweet dish symbolizing a sweet new year. There are endless variations on the basic tzimmes recipe. Some mix carrots and sweet potatoes. Others add dried fruits. Still others braise a nice brisket with the carrots.
Chakchouka
(North African eggs poached in a pepper ragout)
This dish, with many variations, is a popular breakfast in North Africa, especially in Algeria and Tunisia. Most recipes include the eggs, but they can actually be left out if you like. Jewish immigrants from the Maghreb have made this a popular breakfast dish in Israel.
Epl Tsimes
(Israeli Jewish apple sauce; see Apfelmus recipe)
Falafel
(Middle Eastern fried chickpea patties)
Falafel is the original veggie burger and is a common dish throughout the Middle East. It is found in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Egypt, and is especially popular with Palestinians. In Egypt it is known as tamiyah or taamiyah. Israelis sometimes call it the "national food of Israel."
Gundi
(Jewish chickpea and chicken dumplings)
Gundi, a wholesome and comforting dish of dumplings made of ground chicken and chickpea flour, originated with the Jewish population of Iran. The recent emigration of Iranian Jews people to Israel has made gundi (sometimes called gondi) more and more familiar to Israelis.
Hummus bi Tahina
(Middle Eastern chickpea and sesame dip)
Hummus is popular appetizer, or meze, throughout the Middle East. Serve with grilled or toasted pita bread cut into wedges. Or use as a sandwich or wrap spread.
Israeli Salad
(Israeli Jewish tomato and cucumber salad; see Horiatiki Salata variations)
Kasha Varnishkes
(Jewish-Israeli buckwheat groats with bowtie pasta; see Kasha variations)
Latkes
(Israeli Jewish potato pancakes)
Jewish latkes originated with the peoples of northeastern Europe. They are a favorite treat the year round, but are especially popular during Hanukkah when foods fried in oil are traditional. But potato pancakes are not for Jews only. The Germans call them Kartoffelpuffer, or Reibekuchen. In Russia they are known as draniki; in Polish placki. The Swedish version, rårakor, is often served with lingonberry jam.
Lekach
(Israeli Jewish honey cake)
Lekach is a spiced honey cake that is especially popular for Rosh Hashanah when sweet dishes symbolize a sweet New Year on the Jewish calendar.
Lokshen Kugel
(Israeli Jewish sweet noodle pudding)
Kugels are sweet or savory puddings that originated with Ashkenazi Jews, those from Eastern Europe. Lokshen kugel, or "noodle pudding," is probably the most popular. It is usually sweet and is often studded with chopped fruit. Kugels are often served at Sabbath meals and for Jewish holidays. Sometimes spelled kigel. Read more »
Matzo Brei
(Jewish-Israeli fried flatbread and eggs)
Matzo brei (pronounced MAHT-zuh bree, or MAHT-zuh breye) is a tasty and easy breakfast dish and is a good way to use up leftover matzot after Passover. And kids love it. Every family has their own way of making this dish. The biggest dispute seems to be whether sweet or savory is best. It's up to you to decide. Sometimes spelled matzah brei.
Pirogen, or Piroshke
(Israeli Jewish stuffed dumplings; see Pierogi recipe)
Pita
(Mediterranean pocket bread)
Pita bread is common throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Versions of this simple round loaf are found from Northern Africa to as far east as India. The popularity of pita, also known as khoubz araby, is said to have been spread eastward and westward by the conquering armies of Alexander the Great.
Shawarma
(Middle Eastern spiced meat sandwich)
Shawarma is popular throughout the eastern Mediterranean and is sometimes called the Middle Eastern taco. It originated in northwestern Turkey as döner kebab. But it reached its current form and popularity with the Turkish population in Germany. The sandwich is now found in a variety of forms around the world.
Sufganiyot
(Israeli Jewish filled donuts)
Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah) are jelly or cream-filled donuts that are a traditional favorite for Hanukkah, when foods fried in oil are customary. Originally enjoyed by East European Jews, these sweet treats are now wildly popular in Israel for during the 8-day festival. Many gourmet versions are available.
Sweet and Sour Brisket
(Israeli Jewish braised brisket)
Slow-braised brisket is a traditional part of Passover and Rosh Hashanah meals in many Jewish households. Most of these brisket recipes have a sweet-sour flavor to the braising liquid. For Jews in the United States, ketchup is a common ingredient, as are different types of soda pop. I have kept the ketchup for this recipe. The soda pop is up to you. Read more »
Tabouli
(Middle Eastern bulgur and parsley salad)
An easy, refreshing and healthy salad, tabouli is made of bulgur wheat, finely chopped parsley and scallions dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil. The dish goes by various spellings including tabbouleh, taboule, taboulleh, tabouleh, and tabboulleh. Read more »
