Cookbooks

Yotam Ottolenghi on Israeli Cooking (Plus a Giveaway!)

by:
September 17, 2013

We're sitting down with our favorite writers and cooks to talk about their upcoming cookbooks, their best food memories, and just about anything else.

Today: Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, authors of Ottolenghi: The Cookbook, share their thoughts on Israeli cooking, food inspirations, and their favorite ways to cook at home. We're also giving away five copies of their book!

 

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Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi are quite the team. Together they founded London's most popular take-away deli, Ottolenghi; opened a fine dining restaurant; and coauthored three cookbooks that have won them a loyal following. Earlier this month, they released their first book, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook in the US, which was first written in 2008 in response to customer demand for the recipes behind their shops' most-loved dishes. 

With behind-the-scenes snapshots of the restaurant, patrons, and team scattered among sumptuous photographs of food, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook introduces us to the cooking style that began what is now an empire. Read on as we talk to Yotam about the present and future of their cooking -- and enter to win a copy of the book below!

Israeli chefs, Jewish and Palestinian alike, are opening up more and more restaurants across the US. What do you think is pushing this influx forward? Might there be an Ottolenghi/Tamimi American outpost one of these days?

We’re both huge fans of America: Sami’s just back from his holiday in New York having had what he described as one of the best meals of his life at The NoMad. For a man not inclined towards hyperbole, this is a pretty stunning compliment! Setting up shop outside London is a constant conversation, but there are no plans to do so for now. Our team is a pretty close-knit family and we love our day-to-day contact and visits between the delis, restaurants, and test kitchen, checking in on everything and chatting with staff and customers.

Like slightly over-protective parents, we know the family will spread its wings at some point, but for now it feels right for everything to be at arm’s length and under our close watch. Who knows that the future will bring, though. Some of my happiest memories are in America -– a formative few months in San Francisco as a kid, a recent period spent in Boston –- and I’ve no doubt there will be many more.

There has been a lot of talk over the past few years about "New Israeli cuisine." What does that mean to you?

Sometimes there is confusion between Palestinian food and new Israeli food because Israelis have incorporated many of the mainstays of Palestine into their diets. There is, however, a deepening sense of new food that is unique to Israel and is championed by both home cooks and chefs. This cuisine takes Palestinian elements (aubergine, hummus, tahini, garlic, and many particular cooking techniques) and homely Jewish Sephardic elements, plus (to a much lesser degree) a few Ashkenazi influences and other general European trends -- and amalgamates everything into a culinary style that is becoming more recognized in the US and the UK. I heard about the Zucker Bakery’s Kubbeh Project and Michael Solomonov at Momofuku Ss?m Bar which both sounded great. I’m also intrigued to try the tomatillo-sauced ‘green shakshuka’ at Jack’s Wife Freda the next time I'm in New York.

More: We know Israeli food is more than hummus, but this Genius recipe will always be a favorite.

 

 

What types of cooking inspire you these days?

So much, all of the time! I’m just back from a summer of travelling, cooking, and filming around the islands of Corsica, Crete, Sardinia and Mallorca so there’s a huge amount to draw upon from this. Some highlights which I’m keen to get experimenting with: pulenda, the chestnut polenta I had in Corsica; the sweet Mallorcan ensaïmada pastries; Crete’s savoury bougatsa pastries; a stunning fava purée I had in Crete called Koukia, with capers and onions. An idea here, a taste there: it all gets filed somewhere in the brain for future testing.

I’m also crazy right now for any cooking which makes use of fermented ingredients -- like kimchi, brown miso, and the fermented yogurt kashk.

What do you each cook when you have a day off? Or do you bring home leftovers?

For me, there are often leftovers from a day spent in the test kitchen but, to be honest, it’s often take-away sushi or noodles or some simple pasta at home. Sami is a fantastically eager home cook and cooks properly on most nights.

Beyond olive oil, salt, and pepper, what are the five ingredients that you always have stocked in refrigerator or pantry?

Lemons, garlic, red wine, dark chocolate, and a can of smoked oysters.

We're giving away five copies of Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi's cookbook, Ottolenghi: The Cookbook! To enter, tell us in the comments: what are your favorite Israeli and/or Palestinian recipes? We'll pick winners at random by Friday, September 20th at 3 PM EST.

Photo of Yotam and Sami by Geoff Pugh. Cover photo by Jonathan Lovekin. Hummus photo by James Ransom.

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • anaj
    anaj
  • CB
    CB
  • aargersi
    aargersi
  • unburritable
    unburritable
  • Joanna
    Joanna
Food writer, recipe developer, photographer. Some people call me Zahavah, most call me Gayle.

189 Comments

anaj November 6, 2015
I love all of Yotam's work. He is a true artist. The chummus recipe is the best I have ever tasted, the eggplant with Israeli cous cous, the salad with chickpeas, wild rice, and shallots, are downright magical and a flavor experience that sparkle in my mouth.
 
CB April 18, 2014
And why is the new cookbook called Ottolenghi when its the work of both? I find this wierd and will not buy it for that reason.
 
CB April 18, 2014
My goodness. The recipes are all based on Palestinian dishes. If there is a fusion, fine , but stop calling them Israeli.
 
aargersi September 26, 2013
Did you announce the cookbook winners somewhere?
 
unburritable September 26, 2013
Shakshouka is one of my all-time favorites, but I'm also a sucker for a good tabouleh or a jachnun.
 
Joanna September 22, 2013
Savory favorites: carrot salad, shakshouka, and anything with eggplant.
Sweet favorites: honey apple cake and sufganiyot.
 
Susan B. September 20, 2013
I love mujaddara and carrot salads. Pretty much anything with cumin and Middle Eastern spices.
 
cookinginvictoria September 20, 2013
So fun to read through everyone's comments. I love homemade falafel, hummus, anything made with charred eggplant, and mujaddara, but if I could only pick one dish it would have to be homemade, fresh from the oven challah bread!
 
Sipa September 20, 2013
Moroccan spiced chicken served with Israeli couscous.
 
Siri P. September 20, 2013
I simply love hummus in any form and try to make it many different ways not just chickpeas. Next comes Z'atar spiced :D
 
CarlaCooks September 20, 2013
I grew up in a city with a large Armenian population, so I initially though hummus, baba ganoush, and dolma were solely Armenian. Traveling around the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean area has taught me otherwise, and I love finding how each country alters the dish. I think dolma's are still my favorite, and so far I've enjoyed the Armenian, Turkish, Greek, and Israeli versions.
 
Kim O. September 20, 2013
Anything with eggplants! Salat ?atzilim is a fave of mine.
 
chestnutflour September 19, 2013
I love the eggplant with yogurt dish at Nopi. If I can't make it to london, I live on hummus and baba ghanouj.
 
jamcook September 19, 2013
All of the salads with chickpeas and wonderful spices
 
Annette September 19, 2013
shanklish!
 
lbell16 September 19, 2013
With my abundance of eggplant, I've been doing many charred eggplant dips. Love the recipe from Jerusalem!
 
AllisonGG September 19, 2013
I don't know if its Israeli or Palestinian, but I have made their soba with mango and eggplant a million times and love it!
 
Franziska September 19, 2013
Before Sami Tamimi and Yotam Ottoleghi's 'Jerusalem', I had honestly never cooked any Palestinian/Israeli dishes. Now I am basically hooked, thus making it very difficult to choose favourite dishes. Early favourites (I feel like I need to do much more cooking of Palestinian and Israeli dishes to truly decide on a favourite) are Shakshuka, Kofta and Hummus which are recipes I keep coming back to and which have established themselves as staple dishes in our household because they are so delicious.
 
Tina F. September 19, 2013
Muhammara a la Rawia from Tanoreen. Amazing dish. My husband makes it now to perfection with his own spice mix
 
Miss H. September 19, 2013
Baba ganoush forever
 
amymills September 19, 2013
I love falafel, but would it be blasphemous if I said I said I think I prefer lebanese-style falafel to israeli? ;) But really, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, dates, and any pastry that's dripping with syrup are some of the best things in the world to me.
 
Drew September 19, 2013
makhloubeh
 
ATG117 September 19, 2013
A favorite is tough. I'll go with hummus, tahini, and soft pita.
 
Jennifer J. September 18, 2013
Shakshuka; fresh, fresh hummus with olive oil, cucumbers, feta; zhoug!
 
zanzibarcake September 18, 2013
I like ptitim. Challah was the first bread I learned to bake. It's so beautiful.
 
JoJoKoKo September 18, 2013
shakshuka all day, every day.
 
d5kippy September 18, 2013
Baba Ganoush and hummus, although I'm definitely interested in trying anything/everything else!
 
calendargirl September 18, 2013
Anything with eggplant and falafel, falafel, falafel!
 
Lipska September 18, 2013
Sabikh, or however you would spell it!
 
ohyoucook September 18, 2013
Falafel. And hummus!
 
Tania C. September 18, 2013
Anything Ottolenghi!!!! Anywhere anytime! Makes every experience unforgettable!
 
wwarren31 September 18, 2013
Shakshuka would definitely be high on my list. The braised eggs with lamb on the cover of Jerusalem is pretty amazing as is his Eggplant with yogurt sauce and pomegranate seeds
 
Kathy September 18, 2013
Hummus!
 
artclady2 September 18, 2013
Shakshuka from Ottolenghi's PLENTY!
 
Karen A. September 18, 2013
Shakshuka, tabouli, tahini, fatush salad, grape leaves....my list can go on and on....
 
chdoo September 18, 2013
falafel!
 
Meg September 18, 2013
mmmmmmm falafel, to be sure!
 
pretty_pathetic September 18, 2013
Shakshuka is my favorite, though I confess to being a fan of just about any excuse to eat eggs outside of breakfast.
 
jstew52 September 18, 2013
Tabouli!
 
ashley's B. September 18, 2013
falafel for something filling, hummus (in whatever version/variation) for something filling and generally nutritious, and halvah for something sweet. Or shwarma. or soo many others...
 
Jen P. September 18, 2013
Jerusalem-style falafel!
 
spoon September 18, 2013
The Ottolenghi recipe for carrot salad.
 
Margaret C. September 18, 2013
Hummus!
 
russeaime September 18, 2013
Israeli couscous or falafel. Although it's a hard choice - I could eat Israeli food all the time.
 
Sheri W. September 18, 2013
I love hummus, harissa, and
any salad with cucumber and grains and herbs.
 
Nelliana K. September 18, 2013
Shakshuka is hands down my go to meal. It's so easy and ridiculously delicious.
 
Shallot September 18, 2013
My husband loves Mujaddera.
 
Rebecca E. September 18, 2013
My favourite Israeli food is shwarma and specifically from a place at near the top of the midrachov in Jerusalem. As for recipes, I love my mother's Israeli salad. And her harissa is pretty amazing too.
 
SaraG September 18, 2013
Seriously, baba ganoush.
 
EmilyS1220 September 18, 2013
I basically worship baba ganoush.
 
Ange R. September 18, 2013
I haven't been able to find a recipe for hummus that tastes like what I had in Israel in 2011 until I came across Ottolenghi's recipe in Jersualem. I almost broke two food processors trying to make it, but it was the best stuff in the world, and brought back so many memories of my visit.
 
Marcelo C. September 18, 2013
Shakshouka with crushed runny eggs!
 
Burf September 18, 2013
hummus, hands down. the ice water makes all the difference, thanks for the tip!
 
tcho September 18, 2013
toasted Israeli couscous with pistachios and and rehydrated mushroom broth.
 
susan G. September 18, 2013
The shakshuka my Israeli brother in law makes, the preserved lemons his machatuna makes, homemade hummus I've made for many years... a fusion that benefits from splendid agriculture.
 
petite_oiseau September 18, 2013
mahadra and halva are among my favorites, but really I think it is impossible to pick only a few!
 
trixoakley September 18, 2013
Any cake with ground almonds as the "flour"
 
Jason September 18, 2013
israeli moussaka...veggie style for me.
 
topdawg11 September 18, 2013
Shawarma would be my favorite, but the hummus is great too.
 
em-i-lis September 18, 2013
making the hummus today!
 
Bloominanglophile September 18, 2013
The Israeli and Palestinian cuisines are still relatively unfamiliar to me, but my family really enjoys hummus. It makes a quick, healthy meal with veg and pita, and is great for kid's lunch boxes (not to mention picnics, as it travels well). I had a newly pregnant friend who lost her appetite due to nausea...until she tried some of my hummus!
 
barbscullion September 18, 2013
haven't had much food from this area but i do love hummus
 
Desert D. September 18, 2013
I've never had Israeli or Palestinian food. That's why I need this book! Pick me!
 
bookgeekgirl September 18, 2013
Oh, I want this book SO BAD! I got Plenty for Christmas last year, and I cook from it all the time! I really love Fattoush salad, with a lemony-sumac dressing.
 
Christina P. September 18, 2013
kofta kebabs. I also melt for fresh pita bread.
 
hb September 18, 2013
Maklubah
 
nogaga September 18, 2013
There's so much... the kafte at Damascus Gate; the grilled lamb, the olive oil, the goat yoghurt, the wild spices. Kubbe soup with beets. Spelt bread. I'll stop... ;-)
 
RHafer September 18, 2013
halva, labneh, and mejadra! and of course that chicken and rice dish in Jerusalem!
 
Leelu September 18, 2013
Israeli salad with a little sumac in the dressing and some crumbled feta!
 
Jamie B. September 18, 2013
Simple quintessential Israeli salad with mint
 
Allison A. September 18, 2013
The challah! So light and fluffy and such a delicious treat any time of day! Plus, it's a gorgeous bread that brightens up any kitchen.
 
za'atar September 18, 2013
Anything with fresh figs - for me, the smell of figs ripening on the tree will always make me homesick for Israel. Hard to find fresh figs in Chicago so I'll settle for red lentil stew with pita, hummus, and oil-cured olives.
 
mikansan September 18, 2013
Another shashuka lover here. In fact, I love Ottolenghi's recipe for shashuka.
 
caroline F. September 18, 2013
More than any one recipe, I love the variety, emphasis and care with vegetables and grains and the flavor profiles of spices within the cuisine.
 
SoICook September 18, 2013
Shakshuka!
 
loubaby September 18, 2013
Falafel in Pita with Hummus.....Romesco Sauce...Tabbouleh....I have enjoyed many of "Plenty" recipes....so little time...so many recipes to explore...
 
AlexisA.B. September 18, 2013
I would have to say his dish of beautifully roasted butternut squash with sour cream dollops, gingerly sprinkled with fresh cilantro and lime zest + juice! So simple yet so amazing!
 
EMR September 18, 2013
We recently hosted a dinner party featuring recipes from "Plenty". The spicy Moroccan carrot salad and the lentils with broiled eggplant were amazing: complex flavors that left one satisfied but not stuffed. The evening was filled with story telling and laughter. Everyone lingered at the table and did not seem to want the evening to end...Was it the food?? I think so...
 
Zoe M. September 18, 2013
It has to be Challah...it means it's friday.
 
Miranda M. September 18, 2013
This cookbook looks amazing! One of my absolute favorite Israeli dishes is shakshuka -- I love the smell of tomatoes when combined with spices and garlic in the pan, and the bright yellow egg adds visual appeal to the whole dish.
 
Sharon September 18, 2013
The stuffed vegetable dishes are my favorite!
 
KLi September 18, 2013
One of the best dishes I've ever had was a lamb maqluba. The lamb was so juicy and flavorful and complemented the fluffy, flavorful basmati rice and vegetables perfectly.
 
nursey September 18, 2013
Not sure if you'd be kind enough to post to the UK, but I so want this book! Love labneh and currently am cooking a lot of 'green' rice
 
BAD C. September 18, 2013
Israeli salad
 
pamelarupright September 18, 2013
Every single thing in "Jerusalem" but especially the herb pie and roasted chicken with clementines and arak
 
Cindy L. September 18, 2013
Oh, it must be Ottolenghi's caramelized garlic tart---a real dream.
 
patsylu September 18, 2013
Shakshuka. I love to say it. I love to make it. I particularly love to eat it.
 
Kate September 18, 2013
Spiced Greek yogurt, with any combo of za'atar, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, herbs, and lemon. Don't judge, but I often eat it by itself as a snack and clean the bowl.
 
Rachel C. September 18, 2013
I absolutely love falafels dipped in hummus (Yotam's smooth hummus recipe goes perfectly with all types of hummus!), and I love the soft texture of challah.
 
Rachel C. September 18, 2013
*goes perfectly with all types of falafels ;)
 
blizblazz September 18, 2013
I love shakshuka and all it's variations, thanks to a video I saw of Mr. Ottolenghi online. Genius! Saw the cookbook at the library and was going to check it out... but maybe now I will have my own copy... Lovely interview. Thanks, as always, for the great site.
 
Angela N. September 18, 2013
I'm a novice in the realm of Israeli cooking. Maybe falafel or hummus but I bet there a lot of other more dishes I'm not aware exist. I need this cookbook!
 
michelle Y. September 17, 2013
Falafel for sure , and anything with za'atar in it/on it!
 
gorzd September 17, 2013
Roasted butternut squash and red onions with tahini - from "Jerusalem" - SO delicious!
 
heyjude September 17, 2013
The caramelized garlic tart from Plenty.
 
Olga September 17, 2013
Baba Ganoush, i.e anything with eggplant in it.
 
ldl September 17, 2013
anything from their Jerusalem cookbook -- everything is divine. A new favorite is chicken with currants and apricots.
 
Bevi September 17, 2013
Chicken beasts baked in fresh orange juice and honey with crushed hot peppers. A kibbutz dish I ate while staying with friends at Neot Mordechai, in the Upper Galil.
The kibbutz had a shoe factory and lots of chickens!

 
vvvanessa September 17, 2013
A fully loaded falafel with creamy hummus, tahini, roasted eggplant, and marinated cabbage.
 
DelvauxC September 17, 2013
hmm, falafel with a yogurt sauce and hummus!
 
sophia J. September 17, 2013
fresh laffah with hummus and pickles!!
 
Elizabeth September 17, 2013
Challah (especially when turned into French toast), anything made out of chickpeas, chermoula, shakshuka (tried it scrambled into eggs, to great effect).
 
creamtea September 17, 2013
Sachlav; No wait, mahlabi. Sachlav...I can't decide.
 
aussiefoodie September 17, 2013
Shakshouka is one of my new favorite brunch dishes - wonderful spicy flavored tomato sauce, with eggs poached in it - mmm.
 
SallyM September 17, 2013
Fatoush salad, hummus, falafel from "World's Best Falafel" in the Marais in Paris!
 
henandchicks September 17, 2013
Falafel and more falafel- with chopped salad and tahini and hot sauce.
 
Lily September 17, 2013
It's hard to beat freshly fried falafel with freshly baked pita!
 
Jen September 17, 2013
Baba ganoush, for sure!
 
Morgan A. September 17, 2013
Oh man I cook out of Plenty and Jerusalem nightly! Anything with eggplant
 
GDK September 17, 2013
Oops, posted from the wrong account a moment ago. MY wife's chummus, made by Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi's Basic Hummus recipe. And shakshuka!
 
Peri September 17, 2013
My wife's chummus, which is now made according to Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi's Basic Hummus recipe. And shakshuka with organic tomatoes and farm fresh eggs.
 
ljhutchins September 17, 2013
Saksuka. I can never get my eggs quite right but I love it.
 
Nevy September 17, 2013
My favourite Israeli recipe is a braised fish, chraime, with Israeli couscous. I had one variation using a tagine and the bold spicy flavours blew me away
 
Panfusine September 17, 2013
Balilah, Lost my heart to that recipe from 'Jerusalem'
 
Peri September 17, 2013
Israeli salad (finely diced cucumbers and tomatoes tossed with fresh garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and a dash of salt and pepper - no onion). Perfectly made Baba Ganoush just like Yotam Ottolenghi makes it (my new all-time favorite).
 
dietitian-nutritionist September 17, 2013
Baby Spinach Salad with Dates and Almonds is delicious!
 
healthierkitchen September 17, 2013
I love making labneh and hummus. Have recently tried Mujadarah with bulgur instead of rice. I make a matbucha that has no peppers - lots of tomatoes and eggplants.
 
mdonovan33 September 17, 2013
Nanna's Fatoush
 
Bryan N. September 17, 2013
Hard to beat hummus. Shish tawook as well.
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx September 17, 2013
Tarato, Kebob, Shishlik, Isreali Salad, Hummus,Falafal and Matchau (spelling?) Love veggies for breakfast!
 
Michael A. September 17, 2013
I love to eat a wide swatch of Israeli/Palestinian cuisine, but my absolute favorite recipe to make at home is shakshuka. I love how simple and straightforward it is to prepare, but the flavor is big and warm and wonderful. The definition of comfort food!
 
iluvsweets September 17, 2013
Hummus, eggplant, lamb, fatoush....and spice cookies from the Jerusalem cookbook.
 
Savour September 17, 2013
Pretty much everything I've tried from their Jerusalem cookbook! But Kibbeh and Shawarma and the Mutabaq top the list.
 
57jwt007 September 17, 2013
falafel definitely!
 
JordanT September 17, 2013
Hummus!!!!!!
 
Lauren K. September 17, 2013
Falafel! I dream about the green ones from Taïm.
 
CondimentQueen September 17, 2013
I could eat hummus every day!
 
smarshtastic September 17, 2013
Sukshukah! Definitely. Though give me a good hummus too...
 
karah September 17, 2013
I absolutely LOVE labneh, and can't go past tahini and mutabbal
 
pandapotamus September 17, 2013
falafel!
 
BakerK September 17, 2013
shashuka or falafel top the list!
 
Madeline September 17, 2013
mmm falafel and tahini
 
meagan.lane September 17, 2013
oh man,ANYTHING from Jerusalem, but I really do love hummus more than pretty much anything!
 
Tierney September 17, 2013
I love real Falafel
 
Natasha September 17, 2013
A plate of mezze including falafel, hummus, tahini, picked vegetables, pita, israeli salad, etc.
 
Hoppocrates September 17, 2013
Shakshuka
 
yhartstein September 17, 2013
Israeli salad and Yotam and Sami's incredible Hummus from the Jerusalem cookbook.
 
mdonovan33 September 17, 2013
Definitely the Shakshuka!
 
em-i-lis September 17, 2013
oh my goodness, where do i start?!?! i could eat hummus, pita and stuffed grape leaves every day. good baba g too! rice with barberies is amazing! mujaddara! falafel with tahini sauce! anything with pomegranate molasses. muhammara! shish taouk! well, that's lebanese!!! hmm.
 
petitegourmande September 17, 2013
My favorite is the creamed fresh corn "polenta"! :)
 
k.woody September 17, 2013
There's a local Middle Eastern vendor at the farmer's market in San Francisco called Affi's...they have an Aubergine spread made from mesquite grilled eggplant and LOTS of garlic. I asked the guy there if they burned the eggplant on the grill and he responded, "OH WE BURN THE S*** OUT OF THE EGGPLANT!" No wonder it's so good :)
 
grace September 17, 2013
Hummus for sure
 
Willamette September 17, 2013
Babganoush made with eggplant charred over an open flame. I love it, but it's time to expand my horizons!
 
Ann G. September 17, 2013
The lamb meatballs and barberries recipe in "Jerusalem" and if I can have a 2nd runner up- the chocolate babka, same book.
 
Sarah D. September 17, 2013
My favorite is lamb shawarma!
 
allie September 17, 2013
Chopped salad - fattoush -- lots of lemon, parsley.
 
omgyummy September 17, 2013
For Israeli, the kofta b'siniyah from Jersualem cookbook is really yummy and for Palestinian, I love the flavors and presentation of the Maqluba.
 
eakesin September 17, 2013
Hummus from Jerusalem, burnt eggplant with tahini, borekas
 
Allison K. September 17, 2013
Shakshukah and Babaganoush!
 
Joanne September 17, 2013
Malawah and Sukshukah (mmmmmmmmmm)
 
creamtea September 17, 2013
mahlabi. No, sachlav. no wait. Mahlabi. sachlav. I can't decide.
 
seemaaga September 17, 2013
labneh
 
Erin September 17, 2013
My favorite Israeli recipe is definitely Shakshuka with Fennel and Feta!
 
arleneivana September 17, 2013
kanafeh!!!
 
pwthor September 17, 2013
My favorite recipe is definitely Mejadra from the Jerusalem cookbook. I make it at least twice a month!
 
aliciacannell September 17, 2013
Shakshuka with Fennel and Feta!
 
Chris September 17, 2013
I love grilled fish or chicken spiced with za'atar...potatoes, too...anything with za'atar will do!
 
Luke M. September 17, 2013
My favorite is a breakfast/lunch dish called Shakshouka. Soooo comforting.
 
Dana D. September 17, 2013
Shakshuka -- how often is a food both amazingly delicious to eat and amazingly fun to say?
 
latkelet September 17, 2013
Baba ghanoush!
 
adrienne September 17, 2013
Fattoush and baba ganoush for sure.
 
MichelleKBowman September 17, 2013
Shakshuka or hummus
 
SBG September 17, 2013
Israeli salad! & halvah.
 
Patrick H. September 17, 2013
Shakshuka, natch, is amazing. I'm also kind of a Fattoush addict and anything with sumac.
 
amysarah September 17, 2013
Last summer, my daughter went to Israel and came home raving about the food (amongst other things), especially the labneh and the salad she ate daily. She brought me a big jar of za'atar, and I found a delicious version of Israeli salad with nuts and feta on David Lebovitz's blog - I'm now addicted to all three. Would so love a copy of this cookbook!
 
Samantha A. September 17, 2013
Hummus or shakshuka
 
albinosquirrel September 17, 2013
baba ganoush tart tangy awesomness
 
MichelleMags September 17, 2013
Love freshly made hummus!
 
creamcheese September 17, 2013
We have been making the barley risotto with marinated feta from Jerusalem a ton this year. It is amazing.
 
erinrae September 17, 2013
Shakshuka!
 
saluki September 17, 2013
Manaeesh with a side of Labneh and some olives and radishes
 
Jacqueline September 17, 2013
Quite simply, a luscious, creamy hummus always makes me happy.
 
lazychef September 17, 2013
Oh my gosh, so many favorite foods. Craving fatteh right now. And for dessert, kunafeh (with Nabulsi cheese)!
 
MS September 17, 2013
Sabih - the best of everything.
 
blackberry September 17, 2013
Falafel! Although, having just watched Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown episode on Isreal, West Bank, and Gaza (which Ottolenghi was incidentally featured in!) I'd give anything to try that fire-roasted baby watermelon dish. Looking forward to exploring Yotam and Sami's dishes - they sound sublime!
 
cupcakemuffin September 17, 2013
I'm a huge bana ganoush fan!
 
aargersi September 17, 2013
Anything really in Plenty (I second the caramelized fennel!) and my Aunt Shosh's pineapple noodle kugel.
 
Chef N. September 17, 2013
I love all of their delicious dips and roasted cheese dishes. I must say I absolutely love Ottolenghi's recipe for fresh polenta with eggplant ragu.....one of my weekly favorites!!! I can't wait to try more of his mouthwatering recipes.
 
gabsimonelouise September 17, 2013
Baba ganoush...or anything with burnt eggplant!
 
LLStone September 17, 2013
Love hummus and falafel.
 
jbuechner September 17, 2013
Stuffed grape leaves and really creamy hummus!
 
jakrasil September 17, 2013
Falafel is hard to beat!
 
GingerToastedSesame September 17, 2013
I love anything featuring roasted eggplants. That smoky flavor is so delicious!
 
Anastassia September 17, 2013
I LOVE Ottolenghi & Tamimi !! One favorite recipe? Too many to narrow it down. But top three would be the caramelized fennel with fennel seeds, course salt & pepper,dill and lemon, the potato tart with oven roasted tomatoes and sweet onions and the bulgar pilaf with peppers, onions and currets from the plenty book! <3
 
Palmira September 17, 2013
Hummus just great and any dish with pomagranate tastes like Israel!
 
HalfPint September 17, 2013
Love shakshouka
 
magproctor September 17, 2013
falafel!
 
riv September 17, 2013
There is nothing like good fresh hummus! Drizzled with techina, with warm, fresh from the oven pita, nothing else is needed... And the recipe is "Jerusalem" is a keeper :)
 
Camille17 September 17, 2013
Favorite Israeli recipe has to be one for a great batch of hummus