COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Simply Israel a Collection of Recipes from the People of Israel

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COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Simply Israel A Collection of Recipes from the People of Israel

T. Gila Levine

Drawings and photos by T. Gila Levine. Photo on page 126 by Amy Cowen.

Statistics and information from introduction taken from Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website www.mfa.gov.il.

First and second printing 2007

ISBN 978-965-555-290-4

Manufactured in Israel

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Contents

1 ...... Introduction 5 ...... Breads 19 ...... Soups 33 ...... Salads 59 ...... Side Dishes 85 ...... Eggs and Cheese 97...... Poultry and Fish 121...... Beef and Lamb 135 ...... Cakes and Pies 149 ...... Desserts and Preserves 175 ...... Index

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Introduction

Israel has such a wonderful variety of foods from different cultural backgrounds. I wanted to be able to share it with those who would like to bring home to their own countries those foods they experienced here in the Land. However, if you ask any Israeli what is “typical Israeli food” they will answer that there is no such thing.

The cuisine of Israel has been influenced by the immigration of Jewish people from over 80 nations, from the Middle East, North Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, Central and Eastern Europe to India. Of its 7 million people, 76.2 percent are Jews, 19.5 percent are Arabs (mostly Muslim with a small percentage of Christians) and the remaining 4.3 percent comprise Druze, Circassians and others not classified by religion.

Many foods that are typically considered “Israeli” originate from the wider cuisine of the Middle East—including the popular falafel (deep-fried chickpea balls in pita) and the famous “Israeli salad” of cucumbers and tomatoes cut in distinctively small pieces. In addition, Jewish traditions of Eastern Europe play an integral role in Israeli cooking with dishes as diverse as borsht (a soup made from beets) and blintzes (filled pancakes/crepes).

Israeli food customs also conform to the Mediterranean region, with lunch rather than dinner being the main meal of the day. In Israeli Jewish homes, Erev Shabbat (Friday night) dinner, and to a lesser extent Shabbat (Saturday) lunch, are the main festive meals of the week.

Since Israel is the “land of the Bible,” I have included verses from Proverbs written by King Solomon. I hope you enjoy your adventures cooking with these recipes from the people of Israel.

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Breads 3

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 56 Salads

Tabouleh

Leave the tomatoes out if you think you will have leftovers. This will keep the salad fresh for several days. Add chopped tomato just before serving.

3/4 cup (100 g) thick bulgur wheat juice if desired. I usually start with two lem- 8 green onions, chopped ons and add more to taste. 3 tomatoes, chopped 3–4 cups fresh parsley, chopped Let salad sit in refrigerator for at least a 2 cups fresh mint leaves, chopped half hour before serving. Serves 8. Juice of 2–3 lemons 3/4 cup (175 ml) olive oil See photo on page 34 and cover. 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper

Soak bulgur in hot water for 25–30 min- utes. Drain and squeeze dry with your hands. Mix onions, parsley, mint and tomatoes. Add the bulgur wheat and stir to mix. There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the Beat together the lemon juice and olive wise, but a foolish man oil until emulsified. Add salt and pepper. Pour over the salad, adding more lemon squanders it. Proverbs 21:20

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 176 Desserts & Preserves

Notes

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL A Virtuous Woman Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:10-31

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Index 179

Index Amy’s Shabbat Cholent 101 Borscht 25 Angelo’s Fried Eggplant 42 Chamin 134 Apple Cake 141 Couscous with Seven Vegetables 76 Apple Date Nut Cake 142 Druze Rice 79 Apple Passover Pancakes 17 Esther’s Boiled Katsitsot 136 Apples Esther’s Fried Katsitsot 136 Apple Cake 141 Grandma Edith’s Borscht 25 Apple Date Nut Cake 142 Guyash 24 Curried Pumpkin Soup 26 Humus with Meat 127 Flodni 162 Kebab 138 Fruit Bars 163 Klops 138 Fresh Fruit Cake 147 Kubbé 23 Haroset with Date Honey 46 Kubbé 132–133 Roberta’s Haroset 46 Lechem Ba’ajin 7 Apricots Ma’loubeh 108–109 Apricot Chicken 102 Oriental Meatballs 137 Crown of Lamb with Figs 130 S’feeha 8 Oriental Meatballs 137 Seniya with Tehina 135 Roberta’s Haroset 46 Siga Wat 128 Apricot Chicken 102 Stuffed Grape Leaves and Zucchini 74-75 Arabic Holiday Cookies 157 Beef and Bean Stew 134 Artichokes and Fava Beans 61 Beef and Carrots 129 Avocado Salad 35 Beet Salad 35 Baba Ghanouj 44 Beet Soup with Kubbé 22 Bagele 156 Beets Baked Beef 131 Beet Salad 35 Baked Bread with Eggs 14 Beet Salad 2 36 Baked Cauliflower 62 Beet Soup with Kubbé 22 Baked Chicken 102 Borscht 25 Baked Perch 116 Grandma Edith’s Borscht 25 Baked Salmon 116 Sweet and Sour Beet Salad 36 Beans Berbere 129 Chamin 134 Biscochos 161 Gevetch 72 Biscuit Cake 143 Leah’s Hungarian Chicken 107 Boiled Meatballs 136 Potato Salad with Tuna 51 Borekas 10 Stella’s Bean and Macaroni Soup 29 Borscht 25 Beef 125–134 Bread 5–17 Baked Beef 131 Apple Passover Pancakes 17 Beef and Carrots 129 Borekas 10

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 180 Index

Challah Metuka 11 Tzimmes 69 Cinnamon Swirl Loaf 13 Vegetable Alecha 71 Jachnoon 14 Cauliflower Lechem Ba’ajin 7 Carrot Ring 62 Maloach 15 Cauliflower and Tehina 40 Matzo Rolls 16 Pickled Vegetables 54 Pita 16 Cauliflower and Tehina 40 Quick Muffins for Passover 17 Celery Rebekah’s Shabbat Challah 12-13 Celery and Fennel Salad 39 S’feeha 8 Chicken with Celery 105 Bulgur Fish Soup 26 Bulgur with Nuts 73 Celery and Fennel Salad 39 Kubbé 132-133 Challah Metuka 11 Tabouleh 56 Chamin 134 Bulgur with Nuts 73 Cheese Cabbage Cheese Blintzes 87 Borscht 25 Fatio 89 Kibbutz Cabbage Salad 37 Pashtidat Batzal 91 Pasta with Cabbage 82 Pashtidat Cherry Tomato 92 Pickled Vegetables 54 Mrs. Ruben’s Noodle Kugel 167 Purple Cabbage Salad 37 Tiramisu 170-171 Roni’s Chicken 111 Tiramisu, Individual 171 White Cabbage Salad 38 Cheese Blintzes 87 Cakes 139–151 Cheese Crepes 87 Apple Cake 141 Cherry Tomato Pie 92 Apple Date Nut Cake 142 Cherry Tomato Salad 55 Biscuit Cake 143 Chick Peas Fresh Fruit Cake 147 Chick Peas with Sesame Paste 41 Guava Coffee Cake 147 Falafel 64 Honey Cake 142 Chicken 99–112 Leah’s Chocolate Cake 146 Amy’s Shabbat Cholent 101 Orna’s Chocolate Cake 146 Apricot Chicken 102 Rivka’s Cheese Cake 145 Baked Chicken 102 Solet Cake 150 Chicken Pie 103 Tova’s Cheese Cake 144 Chicken or Turkey Schnitzel 104 Walnut Cake 149 Chicken with Celery 105 Carrot Ring 62 Chicken with Salt 105 Carrots Cola Chicken 107 Beef and Carrots 129 Leah’s Hungarian Chicken 107 Carrot Ring 62 Ma’loubeh 108-109 Gezer Chai 39 Orange Chicken 110 Moroccan Carrots 38 Rachel’s Chicken 110 Pickled Vegetables 54 Roni’s Chicken 111 Salad Olivier 52 Shishlik 111 Sofie’s Salad Olivier 53 Stuffed Chicken and Rice 113 Turkey Pilaf 115 Stuffed Chicken with Vegetables 114

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Index 181

Chicken or Turkey Schnitzel 104 Apple Date Nut Cake 142 Chicken Pie 103 Fruit Bars 163 Chicken with Celery 105 Haroset with Date Honey 46 Chicken with Salt 105 Ma’arud 166 Chocolate Oznay Haman 164 Biscuit Cake 143 Druze Rice 79 Chocolate Balls 158 Eggplant Chocolate Spread 158 Angelo’s Fried Eggplant 42 Leah’s Chocolate Cake 146 Eggplant al ha esh 43 Orna’s Chocolate Cake 146 Eggplant in Tomato Sauce 43, 66 Oznay Haman 164 Eggplant Salad 44 Chocolate Balls 158 Eggplant Salad, Grilled 43 Chocolate Spread 158 Eggplant Salad with Sesame Paste 44 Chopped Liver 106 Eggplant Schnitzel 65 Cigars 160 Eggplant with Tomato Sauce 82 Coconut Kisses 159 Gevetch 72 Cola Chicken 107 Ma’loubeh 108–109 Cookies 154–169 Spicy Eggplant Salad 45 Arabic Holiday Cookies 157 Eggs 85–95 Bagele 156 Baked Bread with Eggs 14 Biscochos 161 Breakfast Option 15 Chocolate Balls 158 Cheese Blintzes 87 Cigars 160 Flan 172 Coconut Kisses 159 Matzo Brie 90 Flodni 162 Onion and Mushroom Blintzes 88 Fruit Bars 163 Pashtidat Batzal 91 Ma’amoul 165 Pashtidat Cherry Tomato 92 Ma’arud 166 Pashtidat Kishu’eem 94 Oznay Haman 164 Pashtidat Tered 93 Softa Sarah’s Egyptian Cookies 161 Pashtidat Tiras 91 Triangle Cookies with Syrup 169 Shakshuka 95 Turkish Delight Butter Cookies 158 Shakshuka, Individual 95 Corn Pie 91 Egyptian Cookies 161 Corn Salad 41 Egyptian Falafel 63 Couscous with Seven Vegetables 76 Esther’s Boiled Katsitsot 136 Creamy Mushroom Sauce for Pasta 81 Esther’s Fried Katsitsot 136 Crown of Lamb with Figs 130 Ethiopian Beef Stew 128 Cucumber Ethiopian Vegetable Stew 71 Corn Salad 41 Falafel 63, 64 Cucumber Yogurt Salad 42 Fatio 89 Israeli Salad 45 Feta Cheese White Cabbage Salad 38 Borekas 10 Cucumber Yogurt Salad 42 Fatio 89 Curried Pumpkin Soup 26 Hot Mushroom Salad 47 Date Cookies 166 Pashtidat Cherry Tomato 92 Dates Pashtidat Tered 93

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 182 Index

Pasta Salad 81 Kohlrabi 24 Fig Preserves 172 Kubbé 23, 132-133 Filled Pastries 10 Kumquat Marmalade 174 Filled Tartlets 165 Labane 48 Fish 26, 99, 116–120 Lamb Baked Perch 116 Amy’s Shabbat Cholent 101 Baked Salmon 116 Crown of Lamb with Figs 130 Fish Soup 26 Druze Rice 79 Gefilte Fish 117 Humus with Meat 127 Smoked Pastrami Tuna With Rice 120 Kebab 138 Softa Mazal’s Moroccan Fish 118 Seniya with Tehina 135 Tuna Gefilte Fish 119 Shishlik 111 Fish Soup 26 Stuffed Grape Leaves and Zucchini 74 Flan 172 Leah’s Chocolate Cake 146 Flodni 162 Leah’s Hungarian Chicken 107 Fresh Carrot Salad 39 Leaves of White Beets 49 Fresh Fruit Cake 147 Lechem Ba’ajin 7 Fried Matzo 88 Lentil Soup 28 Fried Meatballs 136 Lentils Fruit Bars 163 Lentil Soup 28 Ful 66 Mujadarrah 78 Garbanzo Beans (see Chick Peas) Red Lentil Soup 27 Gefilte Fish 117 Lettuce Salad 49 Gevetch 72 Loquat Preserves 173 Gezer Chai 39 Ma’amoul 165 Gomen 65 Ma’arud 166 Grandma Edith’s Borscht 25 Ma’loubeh 108–109 Green Sauce 14 Macaroni 29 Guava Coffee Cake 147 Maloach 15 Guyash 24 Mango Cream 156 Hariseh 155 Mangold 49 Harissa 77 Matbucha 55 Haroset with Date Honey 46 Matzo Honey Cake 142 Apple Passover Pancakes 17 Hot Chili Paste 77 Gefilte Fish 117 Hot Mushroom Salad 47 Matzo Bire 88 Humus with Meat 127 Matzo Rolls 16 Humus with Tehina 41 Quick Muffins for Passover 17 Hungarian Cookies 162 Tuna Gefilte Fish 119 Hungarian Goulash 24 Matzo Brie 90 Israeli Rice 73 Matzo Rolls 16 Israeli Salad 45 Meat filled dumplings 23 Jachnoon 14 Meat Pastry 7 Kebab 138 Meat Patty with Sesame Paste 135 Kibbutz Cabbage Salad 37 Meir’s Potatoes 67 Klops 138 Middle Eastern Lentils and Rice 78

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Index 183

Moroccan Carrots 38 Pasta Salad 81 Mrs. Ruben’s Noodle Kugel 167 Pasta with Cabbage 82 Mujadarrah 78 Peas 67 Mushrooms Pepper Salad 50 Chicken Pie 103 Peppers Creamy Mushroom Sauce for Pasta 81 Baked Perch 116 Hot Mushroom Salad 47 Cherry Tomato Salad 55 Mushroom Salad 50 Chicken with Salt 105 Onion and Mushroom Blintzes 88 Corn Salad 41 Stuffed Chicken Breast 112 Eggplant Salad 44 Mushroom Salad 50 Guyash 24 Nut Pie 148 Ma’loubeh 108–109 Okra Soup with Kubbé 22 Matbucha 55 Olives 53 Oriental Meatballs 137 Onion Pepper Salad 50 Meir’s Pototoes 67 Pickled Vegetables 54 Onion and Mushroom Blintzes 88 Potato Salad with Tuna 51 Pashtidat Batzal 91 Seniya with Tehina 135 Zucchini and Onions 70 Shakshuka 95 Onion and Mushroom Blintzes 88 Softa Mazal’s Moroccan Fish 118 Onion and Mushroom Crepes 88 White Cabbage Salad 38 Onion Pie 91 Pesto Sauce 93 Orange Chicken 110 Pickled Vegetables 54 Orange Preserves 173 Pickles 54 Orange Soup 21 Pies Oranges Nut Pie 148 Gezer Chai 39 Poppy Seed Pie 149 Orange Chicken 110 Strawberry Frozen Pie 151 Orange Preserves 173 Pita 16 Sabarina 168 Pomelo Preserves 174 Oriental Meatballs 137 Poppy Seed Pie 149 Orna’s Chocolate Cake 146 Potato Latkes 68 Oznay Haman 164 Potato Pancakes 68 Pashtidat Batzal 91 Potato Salad 51 Pashtidat Cherry Tomato 92 Potato Salad with Tuna 51 Pashtidat Kishu’eem 94 Potatoes Pashtidat Tered 93 Borekas 10 Pashtidat Tiras 91 Gevetch 72 Pasta Meir’s Potatoes 67 Creamy Mushrooms Sauce for Pasta 81 Potatoes and Yams 68 Eggplant with Tomato Sauce 82 Potato Latkes 68 Leah’s Hungarian Chicken 107 Potato Salad 51 Mrs. Ruben’s Noodle Kugel 167 Potato Salad with Tuna 51 Pasta Salad 81 Salad Olivier 52 Pasta with Cabbage 82 Sofie’s Olivier Salad 53 Stella’s Macaroni and Beans 29 Tzimmes 69

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL 184 Index

Vegetable Alecha 71 Hot Mushroom Salad 47 Potatoes and Yams 68 Humus with Tehina 41 Preserves 172–174 Israeli Salad 45 Fig Preserves 172 Kibbutz Cabbage Salad 37 Kumquat Marmalade 174 Leaves of White Beets 49 Orange Preserves 173 Lebane 48 Pomelo Preserves 174 Lettuce Salad 49 Rebat Shesek 173 Matbucha 55 Purple Cabbage Salad 37 Moroccan Carrot Salad 38 Quick Muffins for Passover 17 Mushroom Salad 50 Rachel’s Chicken 110 Pepper Salad 50 Rebat Shesek 173 Potato Salad 51 Rebekah’s Shabbat Challah 12-13 Potato Salad with Tuna 51 Red Lentil Soup 27 Purple Cabbage Salad 37 Rice Roberta’s Haroset 46 Druze Rice 79 Salad Olivier 52 Israeli Rice 73 Sofie’s Salad Olivier 52 Ma’loubeh 108–109 Spicy Eggplant Salad 45 Mujadarrah 78 Spicy Lebane 48 Shai’s Rice 80 Sweet and Sour Beet Salad 36 Smoked Pastrami Tuna with Rice 120 Tabouleh 56 Stuffed Grape Leaves and Zucchini 74 Tehina 40 Stuffed Chicken and Rice 113 White Cabbage Salad 38 Stuffed Chicken with Vegetables 114 Winter Salad 57 Turkey Pilaf 115 Salad Olivier 52 Rivka’s Cheese Cake 145 Sauces Roberta’s Haroset 46 Harissa 77 Roni’s Chicken 111 Pesto Sauce 93 Russian Potato Salad 52 Salad Dressing 47 S’feeha 8 Shug 14 Sabarina 168 Sautéed Chard with Ginger 65 Sabbath Challah 12 Schnitzel 104 Salads 34–57 Semolina & Coconut Bars 155 Angelo’s Fried Eggplant 42 Semolina Cake 150 Avocado Salad 35 Seniya with Tehina 135 Baba Ghanouj 44 Sesame Dip 40 Beet Salad 35 Sesame Paste (see Tehina) Beet Salad-2 36 Shai’s Rice 80 Cauliflower and Tehina 40 Shakshuka 95 Celery and Fennel Salad 39 Shakshuka, Individual 95 Cherry Tomato Salad 55 Shishlik 111 Corn Salad 41 Shug 14 Cucumber Yogurt Salad 42 Siga Wat 128 Eggplant al ha esh 43 Smoked Pastrami Tuna with Rice 120 Eggplant in Tomato Sauce 43 Sofie’s Salad Olivier 53 Eggplant Salad 44 Softa Mazel’s Moroccan Fish 118 Gezer Chai 39 Softa Sarah’s Egyptian Cookies 161 Haroset with Date Honey 46 Solet Cake 150

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Index 185

Soups 20–29 Eggplant in Tomato Sauce 43 Beet Soup with Kubbé 22 Eggplant with Tomato Sauce 82 Borscht 25 Israeli Salad 45 Curried Pumpkin Soup 26 Matbucha 55 Fish Soup 26 Pashtidat Cherry Tomato 92 Grandma Edith’s Borscht 25 Shashuka 95 Guyash 24 Shashuka, Individual 95 Lentil Soup 28 Tomato Soup 27 Okra Soup with Kubbé 22 Tomato Soup 27 Orange Soup 21 Tova’s Cheese Cake 144 Red Lentil Soup 27 Triangle Cookies with Syrup 169 Split Pea Soup 28 Tuna Stella’s Beans and Macaroni Soup 29 Potato Salad with Tuna 51 Tomato Soup 27 Smoked Pastrami Tuna with Rice 120 Spicy Eggplant Salad 45 Tuna Gefilte Fish 119 Spicy Labane 48 Tuna Gefilte Fish 119 Spinach & Cheese, filled Pastry 89 Turkey Spinach Chicken or Turkey Schnitzel 104 Borekas 10 Esther’s Boiled Katsitsot 136 Fatio 89 Esther’s Fried Katsitsot 136 Pashtidat Tered 93 Kubbé 23 Spinach Pie 93 Lechem Ba’ajin 7 Split Pea Soup 28 Shishlik 111 Stella’s Beans and Macaroni Soup 29 Stuffed Chicken Breast 112 Strawberry Frozen Pie 151 Turkey Pilaf 115 Stuffed Chicken and Rice 113 Turkey Pilaf 115 Stuffed Chicken Breast 112 Turkish Delight Butter Cookies 158 Stuffed Chicken with Vegetables 114 Turnips 76 Stuffed Grape Leaves and Zucchini 74 Tzimmes 69 Sweet and Sour Beet Salad 36 Upside-down Meal 108–109 Sweet Challah 11 Vegetable Alecha 71 Sweet Potatoes Vegetable Stew 72 Apricot Chicken 102 Walnut Cake 149 Orange Soup 21 White Cabbage Salad 38 Tzimmes 69 Winter Salad 57 Tabouleh 56 Yams 68 Tameni Pita 15 Zucchini and Onions 70 Tehina Zucchini Pie 94 Baba Ghanouj 44 Zucchini with Raisins 70 Cauliflower and Tehina 40 Humus with Tehina 41 Seniya with Tehina 135 Tehina 40 Tiramisu 170–171 Tiramisu, Individual 171 Tomato Cherry Tomato Salad 55 Chicken with Salt 105

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Shalom,

I immigrated to Israel in 1990 and live in Haifa, where I run a bed and breakfast called the Quiet Place. Since this is my first book, I wanted to give you a chance to let me know what you think. Please contact me should you have any suggestions or recipes you would like to see added in the future. I would love to hear from you.

For reorders, comments or questions, please email me at [email protected] or visit the website at www.simplyisrael.co.il.

T. Gila Levine

COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL Now you can make the foods of Israel right in your own home. Recipes from the land of the Bible enhanced with the words of wisdom of King Solomon.