Tag: Salad

At the Market: Fresh Chickpeas

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When Beth called to tell me she’d spotted fresh chickpeas in Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market, I could barely contain my excitement. She emailed me a photo as further proof. Then Liz of Cafe Liz confirmed this discovery, confirmed how special it was. You see, fresh chickpeas (also called green chickpeas and fresh garbanzo beans) are only available in Jerusalem. Not in Tel Aviv at the Carmel Market. Certainly not in Be’er Sheva’s shuk. But there they are in Jerusalem, at both the Mahane Yehuda market and the smaller market just inside Damascus Gate, in the Arab section of the Old City. Continue reading “At the Market: Fresh Chickpeas” →

Health Salad, A Second Avenue Deli Favorite

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It is Yom Ha’atzmaut, or Israeli Independence day, and as I write this fireworks are exploding outside my window. For Israelis this is a major day, something they still remember and actively fight for. Sure the Fourth of July is big in the US, but there’s no one alive who remembers the American Revolution; that’s the stuff of history books. Israel is only 63 years old today. Continue reading “Health Salad, A Second Avenue Deli Favorite” →

At the Market: Fresh Almonds

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As I write this, it is Easter Sunday in Budapest and the church bells are ringing. I’ve been away from Israel for 10 days so I don’t honestly know whether fresh almonds are even still at the market. Two weeks ago, they were there. Not in Be’er Sheva, of course, but in Jerusalem (and I hear Tel Aviv). They were in such abundance it was easy to forget that their season typically lasts a few short weeks (the Almond Board claims they are available April through June). Somehow, fresh almonds seem appropriate for Easter. Rebirth and all that. Continue reading “At the Market: Fresh Almonds” →

Sunchoke and Fried Halloumi Salad

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This recipe may have begun with the sunchokes, but it’s all about the halloumi. Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are everywhere right now. And while we might  be in Israel, those nobby little roots that look like ginger or turmeric have nothing to do with Jerusalem. I bought a pound without a plan and while I’ve most often had them in the form of creamy soup, I got it into my head that I wanted to roast them and put them in a salad. I thinly sliced some so they’d get crispy and serve as a sunchoke chip garnish. Continue reading “Sunchoke and Fried Halloumi Salad” →

A Middle Eastern Spread

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Next to the massive, leisurely breakfasts so famous in Israel, mezze is the next best part of any meal. This array of little dips and spreads often clutter the table at restaurants that specialize in meat skewers, but they also show up in any number of places and are favorites to make at home. The dishes are an illustration of the diversity of Israeli cuisine, with roots in Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and even Europe. Everyone has their own variations and ratio of spices. To read more about mezze check out my recent article on the subject for the Jewish Daily Forward’s food blog, The Jew and the Carrot. Continue reading “A Middle Eastern Spread” →

Couscous Salad with Dates and Almonds

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Whether you’re looking for an elegant side or a quick weeknight dish to round out a meal, this couscous salad is your answer. Seriously simple to prepare, the unexpected flavors meld together as sweet and savory intermingle. Don’t let anyone tell you they don’t like dates until they’ve tried them in this salad. They lend a hint of honey-caramel sweetness and just the right touch of chewy texture as they play with the pillowy couscous and herbaceous greens. The dates are what elevate this from a standard couscous salad to one worth writing about. Continue reading “Couscous Salad with Dates and Almonds” →

The Joys of the Shuq

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After a week in Be’er Sheva I’ve got the supermarket thing pretty down. But then my friend Beth took me to the real market, the Shuq in the Old City. A large, vibrant open air market of the kind popular throughout Israel and this part of the world, on my first visit I was like a kid in a candy store. Stall after stall had vendors selling produce, eggs, meat, olives, grains, spices, and household goods. Continue reading “The Joys of the Shuq” →