An Odyssey of Food: My Journey Back to Israel

Shaya: An Odyssey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel: A Cookbook

by Alon Shaya

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	273334 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	590 pages

FREE

I had been away from Israel for nearly a decade, and my return was bittersweet. I was excited to be back in the land of my birth, but I was also apprehensive about what I would find. I had heard stories of the country's changing political and social landscape, and I was worried that the Israel I remembered would be gone.

But from the moment I arrived, I was struck by how familiar everything felt. The sights, the sounds, the smells—it was all like a warm embrace. And as I began to explore the country, I quickly realized that while many things had changed, the heart of Israel remained the same.

One of the things I loved most about my time in Israel was the food. I had always loved Israeli cuisine, but after years of living abroad, I had forgotten just how delicious it could be. I spent my days eating my way through the country, from the fresh falafel in the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem to the melt-in-your-mouth shawarma in the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. I ate hummus with every meal, and I even tried my hand at making my own knafeh, a sweet pastry made with cheese and filo dough.

But it wasn't just the food that made my journey so special. It was also the people I met along the way. I met Israelis from all walks of life, from the elderly woman who shared stories of her childhood in pre-state Israel to the young man who was just starting his career in hi-tech. I met Palestinians, too, and I learned about their hopes and dreams for the future. I was struck by the resilience and optimism of the people I met, and I was inspired by their stories.

My journey back to Israel was a journey of food, culture, and personal discovery. It was a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the country I had left behind, and it was a confirmation that the Israel I had always loved was still there, waiting for me to return.

A Culinary Tour of Israel

I spent my time in Israel eating my way through the country, from north to south and east to west. I ate at some of the best restaurants in the world, and I also ate at some of the most humble hole-in-the-wall joints. I ate everything from street food to haute cuisine, and I loved every bite.

Here is a brief overview of some of the highlights of my culinary tour of Israel:

• Falafel: Falafel is a deep-fried chickpea ball that is a staple of Israeli cuisine. I ate falafel in every city and town I visited, and I never had a bad one. My favorite falafel was at a little hole-in-the-wall joint in the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem. The falafel was crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and it was served with a tahini sauce that was to die for.
• Hummus: Hummus is a chickpea dip that is another staple of Israeli cuisine. I ate hummus with every meal, and I even tried my hand at making my own. My favorite hummus was at a restaurant in Tel Aviv called Abu Hassan. The hummus was smooth and creamy, and it was served with a warm pita bread that was perfect for dipping.
• Shawarma: Shawarma is a grilled meat sandwich that is another popular Israeli dish. I ate shawarma at a few different places, but my favorite was at a place in Haifa called Ta'am HaGefen. The shawarma was juicy and flavorful, and it was served with a tahini sauce that was to die for.
• Knafeh: Knafeh is a sweet pastry made with cheese and filo dough. I had never tried knafeh before, but I was instantly hooked. My favorite knafeh was at a place in Nazareth called Al-Akram Sweets. The knafeh was crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, and it was served with a sweet syrup that was to die for.

These are just a few of the many culinary highlights of my journey back to Israel. If you are planning a trip to Israel, be sure to add some of these dishes to your itinerary.

The People of Israel

One of the things I loved most about my journey back to Israel was the people I met along the way. I met Israelis from all walks of life, from the elderly woman who shared stories of her childhood in pre-state Israel to the young man who was just starting his career in hi-tech. I met Palestinians, too, and I learned about their hopes and dreams for the future. I was struck by the resilience and optimism of the people I met, and I was inspired by their stories.

Here are a few of the people I met during my journey:

• Sarah: Sarah is an elderly woman who I met at a cafe in Jerusalem. She was born in Israel in the 1920s, and she has witnessed firsthand the country's transformation from a struggling young nation to a thriving modern state. Sarah is a proud Israeli, but she is also a realist. She knows that the country faces many challenges, but she is confident that Israel will overcome them.
• Ahmed: Ahmed is a young Palestinian man who I met in the West Bank city of Ramallah. He is a student at Birzeit University, and he is studying to be a doctor. Ahmed is a bright and ambitious young man, but he is also frustrated by the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. He believes that the Palestinians deserve to be free, and he is determined to do his part to make that happen.
• Noa: Noa is a young Israeli woman who I met in Tel Aviv. She is a software engineer, and she is working on a startup that is developing new ways to detect breast cancer. Noa is a passionate and driven young woman, and she is excited about the future of Israel. She believes that Israel has the potential to be a world leader in innovation and technology, and she is determined to do her part to make that happen.

These are just a few of the many people I met during my journey back to Israel. Each person I met had a different story to tell, and each story was a reminder of the complexity and diversity of the country.

The Future of Israel

I am optimistic about the future of Israel. I believe that the country has the potential to be a beacon of peace and prosperity in the Middle East. But I also know that the country faces many challenges, including the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. I believe that the only way to resolve the conflict is through a negotiated two-state solution. I hope that one day, Israelis and Palestinians will be able to live side by side in peace and harmony.

I am proud to be an Israeli, and I am proud of the country that my people have built. I believe that Israel has a bright future, and I am confident that the country will continue to grow and prosper for many years to come.

Shaya: An Odyssey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel: A Cookbook

by Alon Shaya

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	273334 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	590 pages

FREE