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{{Unreferenced|date=March 2009}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2009}}
'''Israeli cuisine''' ({{lang-he-n|הַמִּטְבָּח הַיִּשְׂרָאֵלִי}} ''HaMitbakh HaYisraeli'') is a very diverse cuisine. Large elements of food by [[Jews]] such as [[falafel]], [[shakshouka]], [[couscous]], [[Israeli salad]] and [[hummus]] have become synonymous with Israeli cuisine.<ref>[http://www.foodbycountry.com/Germany-to-Japan/Israel.html Food in Israel] on FoodByCountry.com</ref>
'''Israeli cuisine''' ({{lang-he-n|הַמִּטְבָּח הַיִּשְׂרָאֵלִי}} ''HaMitbakh HaYisraeli'') is a very diverse cuisine consisting of local dishes as well as foods brought to [[Israel]] by Jewish immigrants from around the world. Large elements of food by [[Mizrahi Jews]] and [[Arab cuisine]] such as [[falafel]], [[shakshouka]], [[couscous]], [[Israeli salad]] and [[hummus]] have become synonymous with Israeli cuisine.<ref>[http://www.foodbycountry.com/Germany-to-Japan/Israel.html Food in Israel] on FoodByCountry.com</ref>


One of the local foods considered to be a unique culinary contribution is ''[[ptitim]],'' which is often referred to by chefs as "Israeli [[couscous]]". Ptitim were invented in the early days of the State of Israel when rice was scarce. Israel's first prime minister, [[David Ben-Gurion]], asked the [[Osem (company)|Osem company]] to devise a wheat-based substitute.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981921.html Ben-Gurion's rice - Haaretz - Israel News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It was appropriately nicknamed "Ben-Gurion's rice".
One of the local foods considered to be a unique culinary contribution is ''[[ptitim]],'' which is often referred to by chefs as "Israeli [[couscous]]". Ptitim were invented in the early days of the State of Israel when rice was scarce. Israel's first prime minister, [[David Ben-Gurion]], asked the [[Osem (company)|Osem company]] to devise a wheat-based substitute.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981921.html Ben-Gurion's rice - Haaretz - Israel News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It was appropriately nicknamed "Ben-Gurion's rice".


==Defining Israel's cuisine==
==Defining Israel's cuisine==
Israel has its own distinct cuisine, the two main currents that can be seen as Israeli Cuisine are the foods originating from the Israeli culture and the traditional [[Jewish cuisine|Jewish foods]].Traditional [[Jewish food]] is eaten by many, however, like other countries based in [[western culture]], American and European cuisines are largely eaten.
Israel has its own distinct cuisine, the two main currents that can be seen as Israeli Cuisine are the foods originating from the Israeli-[[Mizrahi]] culture (Jews originating from the Middle East) and the traditional [[Jewish cuisine|Jewish foods]] brought by Jewish immigrants from Europe and the West. Traditional [[Jewish food]] is eaten by many, however, like other countries based in [[western culture]], American and European cuisines are largely eaten.


== Eastern Israeli Cuisine==
==Israeli-Mizrahi cuisine==
[[Image:Hummuswithpinenuts.jpg|thumb|200px|Hummus with pine nuts]]
[[Image:Hummuswithpinenuts.jpg|thumb|200px|Hummus with pine nuts]]
[[Image:Israeli couscous.jpg|thumb|200px|Ptitim]]
[[Image:Israeli couscous.jpg|thumb|200px|Ptitim]]


Eastern Israeli cuisine features grilled meats, puff pastries (sweet and savory), rice dishes, stuffed vegetables, pita breads and salads. There are many similarities to Arab cuisine.
Israeli-Mizrahi cuisine (the cuisine of Jews from Asia and North Africa) features grilled meats, puff pastries (sweet and savory), rice dishes, stuffed vegetables, pita breads and salads. There are many similarities to Arab cuisine.


* '''Salads''' - A wide variety of salads, or [[meze]], is often set out on the table before the main course. Hummus, [[tahini]] (known in Israel as ''t'hina''), [[matbucha]] red pepper salad, carrot salad, [[Israeli salad]] which is a finely diced tomato and cucumber salad and, [[coleslaw]] and various eggplant salads are common. A liver-flavored eggplant salad invented during the [[Austerity in Israel|Austerity]] period is still a popular dish.
* '''Salads''' - A wide variety of salads, or [[meze]], is often set out on the table before the main course. Hummus adopted from [[Arab cuisine]], [[tahini]] (known in Israel as ''t'hina''), [[matbucha]] red pepper salad, Moroccan carrot salad, [[Israeli salad]] which is a finely diced tomato and cucumber salad and adopted from [[Arab cuisine]], [[coleslaw]] and various eggplant salads are common. A liver-flavored eggplant salad invented during the [[Austerity in Israel|Austerity]] period is still a popular dish.
* '''Israeli Spicy dips''' - [[Skhug]], [[Harissa]] and Pilpelchuma are different hot sauces made from chili peppers and garlic.
* '''Spicy dips''' - [[Skhug]] brought to Israel by [[Yemenite Jews]], [[Harissa]] brought by Tunisian and North African Jews, and [[Pilpelchuma]] brought by Libyan Jews, are different hot sauces made from chili peppers and garlic.
* '''[[Amba (condiment)|Amba]]''' - [[Indian]] and [[Jews]] introduced amba, a pickled mango sauce that is spooned over [[Shawarma]] and [[falafel]].
* '''[[Amba (condiment)|Amba]]''' - Indian and [[Iraq]]i Jews introduced amba, a pickled mango sauce that is spooned over shwarma and felafel.
⚫
* '''[[Labneh]]''' - adopted from [[Arab cuisine]], A soft white cheese with a slightly sour taste derived from the Arab kitchen.
* '''[[Jachnun]]'''- A traditional dish prepared from rolled dough.
⚫
* '''[[Pita]]''' - adopted from [[Arab cuisine]], pita is a soft, round bread that can be halved and stuffed with felafel, salads or various meats. Bits of pita can be torn off and used to scoop up creamy spreads like hummus or eggplant salad. [[Wiener schnitzel#Israel|Schnitzel]] or [[steak]] in pita are said to be an Israeli invention. [[Lafa]] (an [[Arabic]] word, means roll) is a flat pita that is rolled up with a felafel or shwarma filling.
* '''[[Malawach]]'''- A fried bread from [[Israel]].
⚫
* '''[[Labneh]]''' - A soft white cheese with a slightly sour taste.
⚫
* '''[[Pita]]''' - A soft, round bread that can be halved and stuffed with felafel, salads or various meats. Bits of pita can be torn off and used to scoop up creamy spreads like hummus or eggplant salad. [[Wiener schnitzel#Israel|Schnitzel]] or [[steak]] in pita are said to be an Israeli invention. [[Lafa]] is a flat pita that is rolled up with a [[falafel]] or [[shawarma]] filling.
* '''[[Shakshouka]]''' - A spicy egg and tomato dish.
* '''[[Shakshouka]]''' - A spicy egg and tomato dish.
* '''Fried snacks''' such as [[falafel]], [[kibbeh]], Moroccan cigars and pastelim (spicy fried pastries) hail from some Middle Eastern countries.
* '''Fried snacks''' such as felafel, [[kibbeh]], Moroccan cigars and pastelim (spicy fried pastries) hail from various Middle Eastern countries.
* '''Soups''' - Bean soup and [[lentil soup]] are Israeli favorites.
* '''Soups''' - Bean soup and [[lentil soup]] are Mizrahi favorites.
* '''Pastries''' - [[Bourekas]] brought to Israel by Jews from [[Turkey]] and the [[Balkans]] are very popular.
* '''Pastries''' - [[Bourekas]] brought to Israel by Jews from [[Turkey]] and the [[Balkans]] are very popular. [[Malawach]] and the [[Jachnun]] were introduced by the Yemenite Jews.
* '''Sandwiches''' - [[Sabich]] is an Israeli pita sandwich stuffed with eggplant, hard boiled eggs and tahini. Fricassee is a fried roll stuffed with tuna, cooked potatoes and matbucha brought from Tunisia.
* '''Sandwiches''' - [[Sabich]] is an Iraqi pita sandwich stuffed with eggplant, hard boiled eggs and tahini. Fricassee is a fried roll stuffed with tuna, cooked potatoes and matbucha brought from Tunisia.
* '''Grilled meat''' - [[Kebab]] and [[Shashlik]] are popular, as is the [[Mixed Grill|Jerusalem mixed grill]].
* '''Grilled meat''' - [[Kebab]] and [[shashlik]] are popular, as is the [[Mixed Grill|Jerusalem mixed grill]].
* '''[[Shawarma|Shwarma]]''' Originally from [[Turkey]]. Traditionally it was made from lamb.
* '''[[Shawarma|Shwarma]]''' Originally from [[Turkey]]. Traditionally it was made from lamb.
* '''[[Fish]]''' - Fried, grilled and baked fish is often served whole, with the head intact. Hraime ('''חריימה'''), fish cooked in hot pepper sauce, is served in many Mizrahi households in honor of [[Shabbat]].
* '''[[Fish]]''' - Fried, grilled and baked fish is often served whole, with the head intact. Hraime ('''חריימה'''), fish cooked in hot pepper sauce, is served in many Mizrahi households in honor of [[Shabbat]].
* '''Hummus, chips and salad''' - The most common accompaniments to food served in a pita. The addition of [[French fried potatoes|french fries]] seems to be exclusive to Israel.
* '''Hummus, chips and salad''' - The most common accompaniments to food served in a pita. The addition of [[French fried potatoes|french fries]] seems to be exclusive to Israel.
* '''[[Mujadara]]''' - A popular rice and lentil dish(known in Israel as "mejadra")
* '''[[Mujadara]]''' - A popular rice and lentil dish adopted from [[Arab cuisine]], (known in Israel as "mejadra")
* '''Desserts''' - [[Baklava]] is a sweet Turkish pastry often served as dessert, along with small cups of Turkish coffee, in Middle Eastern restaurants.
* '''Desserts''' - [[Baklava]] is a sweet Turkish pastry often served as dessert, along with small cups of Turkish coffee, in Middle Eastern restaurants.
* '''[[Halva]]''' - This Turkish sweet, made from techina and sugar, is popular in Israel and used to make original desserts like halva [[parfait]].
* '''[[Halva]]''' - This Turkish sweet, made from techina and sugar, is popular in Israel and used to make original desserts like halva [[parfait]].
* '''Black coffee''' - Sometimes served with ''hel'' ([[cardamom]]).
* '''Black coffee''' - Sometimes served with ''hel'' ([[cardamom]]).


==Ethnic foods==
==Western Israeli Cuisine==
[[File:Schnitzel12.JPG|right|thumb|150px|A typical Israeli schnitzel, served with pasta]]
[[File:Schnitzel12.JPG|right|thumb|150px|A typical Israeli schnitzel, served with pasta]]
[[Image:Gefilta Fish1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Gefilte fish slices]]
[[Image:Gefilta Fish1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Gefilte fish slices]]
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Many ethnic dishes have been incorporated in Israeli cuisine, brought to [[Israel]] by immigrants from those countries.
Many ethnic dishes have been incorporated in Israeli cuisine, brought to [[Israel]] by immigrants from those countries.


* Many Western Israeli dishes include [[chicken soup]], [[schnitzel]] and [[chopped liver]], [[Latka]]s (Levivah) [[Gefilte fish]] and [[Kugel]]. "Jerusalem Kugel" made with caramelized sugar and spiced with black pepper is a speciality of Jews in Jerusalem. The first Israeli patisseries were opened by [[Jews]], who popularized cakes and pastries popular in central Europe, such as [[sabrina (pastry)|sabrina]] and [[strudel]]. Holiday pastries in Israel are the [[sufganiyah]], eaten on Hanukkah, and the [[hamantash]]en (Oznei Haman), eaten on Purim.
* ''East European'' dishes include [[chicken soup]], [[schnitzel]] and [[chopped liver]], [[Gefilte fish]] and [[Kugel]]. "Jerusalem Kugel" made with caramelized sugar and spiced with black pepper is a speciality of Ashkenazi Jews in Jerusalem. The first Israeli patisseries were opened by [[Ashkenazi Jews]], who popularized cakes and pastries popular in central Europe, such as [[sabrina (pastry)|sabrina]] and [[strudel]]. Holiday pastries in Israel are the [[sufganiyah]], eaten on Hanukkah, and the [[hamantash]]en, eaten on Purim.
* More popular in Israel include couscous, [[mafrum]], [[shakshouka]], [[matbucha]], cooked carrot salad and [[chraime]] (slices of fish cooked in a spicy tomato sauce).
* '' North African'' dishes popular in Israel include couscous, [[mafrum]], [[shakshouka]], [[matbucha]], Moroccan cooked carrot salad and [[chraime]] (slices of fish cooked in a spicy tomato sauce).
* '' [[Balkan]]'' foods incorporated in Israeli cuisine are [[burek|burekas]], [[yoghurt]] and [[taramosalata]].
* '' [[Balkan]]'' foods incorporated in Israeli cuisine are [[burek|burekas]], [[yoghurt]] and [[taramosalata]].
* ''Yemenite'' foods include [[jachnun]], [[malawach]], [[skhug]], saluf and kubane.
* '' Iraqi'' dishes popular in Israel include [[amba (condiment)|amba]], various types of [[kibbeh|kubbeh]], [[sambusac]], [[sabich]] and [[Tursu|pickled vegetables]] (''hamutzim'', {{lang-he|חמוצים}}).


===Hamin===
===Hamin===
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Hamin (also spelled chamin) is a traditional [[Shabbat|Sabbath]] dish prepared by Jews all over the world in countless variations. The basic ingredients are meat and beans or rice simmered overnight on a hotplate or placed in a slow oven before lighting the candles on Friday night.
Hamin (also spelled chamin) is a traditional [[Shabbat|Sabbath]] dish prepared by Jews all over the world in countless variations. The basic ingredients are meat and beans or rice simmered overnight on a hotplate or placed in a slow oven before lighting the candles on Friday night.


* Cholent - [[Shabbat]] stew usually containing chunks of meat, potatoes, barley, and beans.
* Cholent - East European Shabbat stew usually containing chunks of meat, potatoes, barley, and beans.
* Skhina (or s′hina) - Spicy Hamin.
* Skhina (or s′hina) - hamin of the Moroccan Jews.
* Tebit - Hamin of chicken and rice.
* Tebit - hamin of chicken and rice of the Iraqi Jews.


==Israeli cuisine on Passover==
==Israeli cuisine on Passover==
The laws of the holiday of [[Passover]] add further dietary restrictions. Restaurants in Israel have come up with creative alternatives using [[potato starch]] and other non-standard ingredients to create pasta, hamburger buns, pizza, and other fast foods in kosher-for-Passover versions. After Passover, the celebration of [[Mimouna]] takes place, an [[Israeli]], during which the [[Mofletta]] is eaten.
The laws of the holiday of [[Passover]] add further dietary restrictions. Restaurants in Israel have come up with creative alternatives using [[potato starch]] and other non-standard ingredients to create pasta, hamburger buns, pizza, and other fast foods in kosher-for-Passover versions. After Passover, the celebration of [[Mimouna]] takes place, a tradition brought to Israel from the Jewish communities of [[North Africa]], during which the [[Mofletta]] is eaten.
[[Image:BoxkremboS.jpg|thumb|150px|Krembo marshmallow treats]]
[[Image:BoxkremboS.jpg|thumb|150px|Krembo marshmallow treats]]


Revision as of 05:53, 21 August 2009

Israeli cuisine (Template:Lang-he-n HaMitbakh HaYisraeli) is a very diverse cuisine consisting of local dishes as well as foods brought to Israel by Jewish immigrants from around the world. Large elements of food by Mizrahi Jews and Arab cuisine such as falafel, shakshouka, couscous, Israeli salad and hummus have become synonymous with Israeli cuisine.[1]

One of the local foods considered to be a unique culinary contribution is ptitim, which is often referred to by chefs as "Israeli couscous". Ptitim were invented in the early days of the State of Israel when rice was scarce. Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, asked the Osem company to devise a wheat-based substitute.[2] It was appropriately nicknamed "Ben-Gurion's rice".

Defining Israel's cuisine

Israel has its own distinct cuisine, the two main currents that can be seen as Israeli Cuisine are the foods originating from the Israeli-Mizrahi culture (Jews originating from the Middle East) and the traditional Jewish foods brought by Jewish immigrants from Europe and the West. Traditional Jewish food is eaten by many, however, like other countries based in western culture, American and European cuisines are largely eaten.

Israeli-Mizrahi cuisine

Hummus with pine nuts
Ptitim

Israeli-Mizrahi cuisine (the cuisine of Jews from Asia and North Africa) features grilled meats, puff pastries (sweet and savory), rice dishes, stuffed vegetables, pita breads and salads. There are many similarities to Arab cuisine.

  • Salads - A wide variety of salads, or meze, is often set out on the table before the main course. Hummus adopted from Arab cuisine, tahini (known in Israel as t'hina), matbucha red pepper salad, Moroccan carrot salad, Israeli salad which is a finely diced tomato and cucumber salad and adopted from Arab cuisine, coleslaw and various eggplant salads are common. A liver-flavored eggplant salad invented during the Austerity period is still a popular dish.
  • Spicy dips - Skhug brought to Israel by Yemenite Jews, Harissa brought by Tunisian and North African Jews, and Pilpelchuma brought by Libyan Jews, are different hot sauces made from chili peppers and garlic.
  • Amba - Indian and Iraqi Jews introduced amba, a pickled mango sauce that is spooned over shwarma and felafel.
  • Labneh - adopted from Arab cuisine, A soft white cheese with a slightly sour taste derived from the Arab kitchen.
  • Pita - adopted from Arab cuisine, pita is a soft, round bread that can be halved and stuffed with felafel, salads or various meats. Bits of pita can be torn off and used to scoop up creamy spreads like hummus or eggplant salad. Schnitzel or steak in pita are said to be an Israeli invention. Lafa (an Arabic word, means roll) is a flat pita that is rolled up with a felafel or shwarma filling.
  • Shakshouka - A spicy egg and tomato dish.
  • Fried snacks such as felafel, kibbeh, Moroccan cigars and pastelim (spicy fried pastries) hail from various Middle Eastern countries.
  • Soups - Bean soup and lentil soup are Mizrahi favorites.
  • Pastries - Bourekas brought to Israel by Jews from Turkey and the Balkans are very popular. Malawach and the Jachnun were introduced by the Yemenite Jews.
  • Sandwiches - Sabich is an Iraqi pita sandwich stuffed with eggplant, hard boiled eggs and tahini. Fricassee is a fried roll stuffed with tuna, cooked potatoes and matbucha brought from Tunisia.
  • Grilled meat - Kebab and shashlik are popular, as is the Jerusalem mixed grill.
  • Shwarma Originally from Turkey. Traditionally it was made from lamb.
  • Fish - Fried, grilled and baked fish is often served whole, with the head intact. Hraime (חריימה), fish cooked in hot pepper sauce, is served in many Mizrahi households in honor of Shabbat.
  • Hummus, chips and salad - The most common accompaniments to food served in a pita. The addition of french fries seems to be exclusive to Israel.
  • Mujadara - A popular rice and lentil dish adopted from Arab cuisine, (known in Israel as "mejadra")
  • Desserts - Baklava is a sweet Turkish pastry often served as dessert, along with small cups of Turkish coffee, in Middle Eastern restaurants.
  • Halva - This Turkish sweet, made from techina and sugar, is popular in Israel and used to make original desserts like halva parfait.
  • Black coffee - Sometimes served with hel (cardamom).

Ethnic foods

A typical Israeli schnitzel, served with pasta
Gefilte fish slices

Many ethnic dishes have been incorporated in Israeli cuisine, brought to Israel by immigrants from those countries.

Hamin

Main article: Cholent

Hamin (also spelled chamin) is a traditional Sabbath dish prepared by Jews all over the world in countless variations. The basic ingredients are meat and beans or rice simmered overnight on a hotplate or placed in a slow oven before lighting the candles on Friday night.

  • Cholent - East European Shabbat stew usually containing chunks of meat, potatoes, barley, and beans.
  • Skhina (or s′hina) - hamin of the Moroccan Jews.
  • Tebit - hamin of chicken and rice of the Iraqi Jews.

Israeli cuisine on Passover

The laws of the holiday of Passover add further dietary restrictions. Restaurants in Israel have come up with creative alternatives using potato starch and other non-standard ingredients to create pasta, hamburger buns, pizza, and other fast foods in kosher-for-Passover versions. After Passover, the celebration of Mimouna takes place, a tradition brought to Israel from the Jewish communities of North Africa, during which the Mofletta is eaten.

Krembo marshmallow treats

Israeli snack foods

  • Two main Israeli invented snack foods are Bamba and Bissli. Bamba is a soft peanut-flavored snack food and Bisli is crunchy and comes in various flavors, including BBQ, pizza, falafel and onion.
  • Krembo (Hebrew: קרמבו) is a chocolate-coated marshmallow treat that is also very popular in Israel. It is sold only in the winter, and is very popular as an alternative to ice-cream.[3] It comes wrapped in colorful aluminum foil, and consists of a round biscuit base covered with a dollop of marshmallow cream coated in chocolate.
  • Milky is a unique dairy pudding and one of the most popular foods in Israel.
  • Shkedei Marak, known as "soup mandel" in English, is another Israeli invention and used very commonly with chicken soup.

See also

Wikibooks Cookbook has a recipe/module on

References

  1. ^ Food in Israel on FoodByCountry.com
  2. ^ Ben-Gurion's rice - Haaretz - Israel News
  3. ^ Chestnuts roasting in my gelato - Haaretz - Israel News
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