1. Doctor Shakshuka in Yafo. A little overrated if you ask me - keep following for a far more satisfying shakshuka recipe.
2. For someone who lived in Belgium for 16 years and continues to sample exquisite beers - good old Israeli Goldstar ain't bad at all. Especially sometime around 6pm, on a rooftop cafe watching the sun setting beyond the sea..
3. Health supermarket Eden really is what it says on the shop window - Paradise... especially these endless piles of nuts, dried fruit, seeds and pulses. A must-buy: almond paste, Medjool dates, sugared pecans & almonds, wholemeal couscous.
4. It had to be done. Nothing beats Israel's take on cappuccino, the impeccable 'afooch'. I started having mine with soy, and particularly rated the one in cafe Landver (on Gordon beach, location is part of it of course)
5. I am a big fan of the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem (well, who isn't?) It definitely beats Shuk Hacarmel in Tel Aviv. Mountains of glowing aubergines and pomegranates, not to mention the sweet side..keep reading for more.
6. My dear friends Inbal and Ringo giving us a Jerusalem gastronomic tour - one of the ultimate no-frills hummus and infamous knaffe, all in the Arab quarter. These guys managed to hack some fresh lamb kebabs as well, I was beat by then. But there's always room for a wonderfully fragrant Turkish coffee.
7. THE SWEET STUFF - rogalach to die for. Must be made with butter and purchased from that awesome Jerusalem bakery.
8. The results of a plusher north Tel-Aviv house party, the food was simply inescapable and never-ending. This is typically Israeli. And typically Tel Aviv-ian (at least amongst those slightly more afluent northerners) to throw together salmon cakes, schnitzel, thai curry, Vietnamese stir-fry, hummus, tons of salads and mountains of rich deserts all on one huge table for people to gorge on and slowly die. Leftovers oh there were plenty. One thing I certainly will take away though: strawberries, cream, rose water kadaif and pistachio, fabulous.
9. One thing you cannot NOT do when is Israel is have a big arse brunch in Yafo (or similar). Proper hummus, proper pitta, pickles, falafel, fried aubergine and cauliflower, a seriously fine Israeli salad, hot sauces and some cooooool limonana to wash it all down. And then make sure you walk at least an hour back into town.
10. It's got to be said, Manta Ray was one of the best lunches I had in Israel and we didn't even attempt the main courses. Here we indulged on mezes alone and the incredible fresh focaccia. This resaurant cleverly combines traditional Israeli food and local ingredients to create zingy exciting dishes. The aubergine mousse was one of my favourites as was the calamari; some seriously good seafood going on here. I will attempt to recreate this on my next pay day *ahem*
Pssss Manta Ray Cookbook is faaaabulous. I plan to slightly 'inspire' myself and do a bit of my own cookin' and doodlin'. More to come...
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