A Taste of Israel – From classic Litvak to modern Israeli

In the author’s own words: “When you live in Israel, it’s plain to see that food holds a special place in Jewish life. From early morning until dawn the next day, Israelis are always noshing on something and enjoying one another’s company. On any given holiday, the festive table groans under the weight of a multitude of dishes and goodies. A Taste of Israel opens a door into the kitchens of the ordinary Israeli home. It is an invitation to explore the country’s diverse street food and get a glimpse behind the scenes at some of its gourmet restaurants. You’ll find recipes for dishes that do much more than just satisfy hunger. Here are memories and stories shared with me over the course of five years by Litvaks from Israel and South Africa, by my Israeli friends, their mothers and their grandmothers. The recipes reflect the traditions, history and customs passed from generation to generation and they are an attempt at returning a piece of Jewish heritage to the small but vibrant community in Lithuania.” Available for the first time in English, A Taste of Israel describes the food through the eyes of a foreigner, and non-Jew, who was lucky enough to become part of the Israeli Jewish community. Chapters are divided into the usual arrangements for appetisers, starters, mains and desserts, but there are also sections on the different Jewish religious festivals, as well as information on what constitutes ‘kosher’. Well-known classics include dishes such as Gefilte Fish, Knaidlach, Latkes and Challah.