Current events demand our attention.

And yet, in today’s fast-paced world, where time is a precious commodity, it’s too easy to ignore world events. We remain caught up in our daily routines, knowing we should do better, but doing nothing about it. 

We blame lack of time for neglecting enriching experiences that lie beyond our immediate borders – experiences that might foster understanding and bring us closer together in a world that is falling apart. 

It’s not that hard to change. Dinner time is a good place to start.

As a kitchen confidence coach dedicated to helping busy moms create effortless, delicious weeknight dinners, I understand the challenges of balancing convenience, nutrition and just keeping one foot ahead of the other.

I also recognize the immense value of exploring diverse cultures through their culinary heritage. Food can serve as a universal language of love and connection. Let’s start with Israeli foods.

Diverse Flavors: Exploring Israeli Cuisine

Nestled in the Mediterranean region, Israel boasts a vibrant culinary scene that reflects its rich history and cultural diversity.

Influenced by various communities, Israeli cuisine is a delightful fusion of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and North African flavors.

One cannot help but be captivated by the fragrant spices, fresh herbs, and bold ingredients that define Israeli dishes.  It’s a region renowned for fantastic street food, local vendors and hole-in-the-wall eateries. 

Traditional Israeli favorites include:

Israeli Salad– a chopped salad consisting of finely diced tomato, onion, cucumber, and bell or chili peppers.

Hummus– a dip, spread, or savory dish made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.

Falafel– a mixture of ground chickpeas and spices, which are formed into balls and deep-fried.

Tabbouleh- a refreshing salad made mostly of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, and bulgur that is seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and sweet pepper.

Shawarma– a dish that originated in the Ottoman Empire, consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in an inverted cone, and roasted on a slowly turning vertical rotisserie or spit. In Israel, the meat is often turkey or lamb.

Baba Ghanoush- an appetizer made with smokey, roasted and mashed eggplant, tahini, olive oil, and other various seasonings.

Shakshuka– an any time of the day or night meal consisting of eggs cooked in tomato sauce and peppers. Oftentimes, onions, herbs, vegetables, and cheese are also included to add variety to the dish.

A Peek Inside an Israeli Pantry

In the heart of every culinary tradition lies a carefully curated selection of pantry items that form the backbone of beloved recipes, adding depth, aroma, and distinctive flavors to each dish.

In Israeli cuisine, these staples are common pantry items:

Tahini, a rich sesame paste, serves as the base for creamy hummus and savory baba ganoush. It’s often the consistency of peanut butter or a little thinner. Use it as a sauce for grain bowls, as a dip, in salad dressings and as a marinade.

Za’atar, a blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds, adds a tangy and herbal note to meats, salads, and dips.

Baharat spice blend is an all purpose spice blend usually made up of  black pepper, cardamom, cloves, cumin, nutmeg, coriander and paprika. It adds depth to rice, soups, meat, fish and chicken dishes.

Harissa can be a dried spice blend or a spicy paste. Originally from North Africa, harissa is typically made of dry red chiles, garlic, citrus, and a few warm spices including cumin, coriander and caraway seeds. Olive oil is added to make it a paste. Use it to add a punch of spicy citrus flavor to all of your favorite dishes!

Pomegranate molasses, with its sweet and tangy profile, lends a delightful touch to salads and marinades, exemplifying the sweet and savory balance intrinsic to Israeli cooking. Mix it into your favorite sweet or spicy barbecue sauce  for an amazing sweet-and-savory glaze for grilled meats. Blend a splash of it into a basic vinaigrette, then use that to dress a robust salad.

Most Middle Eastern pantry items can be found in your local grocery store or easily obtained online. Two of my favorite online resources for Middle Eastern ingredients, spice blends and spice pastes are La Boite, and NY Shuk.

If you’re looking for some good-for-the-soul, satifying recipes that embody the flavors and spirit of Israeli cuisine, these cookbooks are a great place to start your journey:

Sabba: Fresh, Sunny Flavors From My Israeli Kitchen: A Cookbook by Adeena Sussman and Michael Solomonov

Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi

Shaya: An Odyssey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel: A Cookbook by Alon Shaya

Multicultural Cooking: A Celebration of Unity

Of course this is just a brief over view of all the tantalizing taste sensations that Israeli foods can bring to your table.

When we infuse our kitchens with the flavors of various cultures, we embark on a sensory journey that transcends geographical and political boundaries, offering a profound appreciation for the vast array of ingredients and cooking techniques that define the global culinary landscape. 

Cooking foods from other cultures nourishes our bodies and our souls, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity as we come together to savor the global tapestry of flavors and experiences.

Let’s start to cultivate a deep appreciation for the similarities and differences that make each culinary tradition unique. May this appreciation spark a desire to understand the people of all nations and the challenges they face. Afterall, we are all in this together.

Let food be your language of love.

Invite Israeli cuisine to your table and let it find its way to your heart. It’s a start.