Elahn now blogging on the Australia Jewish News website

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My first article!

Heavenly taste of Israeli hummus

This time last year I returned to Melbourne after almost three months in Israel and I’m depressed thinking about it. I’m depressed not because I miss Tel Aviv’s beaches or the gorgeous long curly hair of beautiful Israeli women, but because I miss the felafel.

Yes, I’m putting food before hot, sexy Israeli women!

I’m putting food before women full stop! I must have a fever. No, I don’t think chicken soup will help … hang on, on second thoughts does it have matzah balls with it?

There’s something timeless and at the same time contemporary about the food in Israel. Dishes that have survived centuries from the region sit alongside well-known European introductions from the past 60-70 years while “hamburger veh chips” appeal to the more modern palate.

Israeli salad is served with everything, although they just call it salad there. For me, simple is the key. How hard can it be to fry up some chickpea mixture, put it in a pita along with some vegetables and sauces?

As I have found out here in the bagel belt of Melbourne, it’s hard!

No one can do it like the small felafel shop I walked passed at 2am on Dizengoff St in Tel Aviv after a night out drinking.

Wonderful lightly fried felafel balls, green in the middle, accompanied by hummus, tahina, fried eggplant, salad, chilli and who knows what else. All for $3. Goes well with a Gold Star beer.

Dining on the beach in Tel Aviv

The same goes for Shakshooka. The best I’ve ever had was at a beachside cafe at the north end of Tel Aviv. You recline in a chair on the sand and they bring it to you while you watch the sunset.

Along with a Gold Star beer you can’t beat it. I have tried it here at several places, all making it distinctly different yet all missing the “Tel Aviv beach”.

Finally, hummus. As a stand alone dish lapped up with toasty warm pita bread (and a Gold Star beer), or eaten with other tasty treats such as olives and peppers it’s hard to not shed a tear as your belly fills.

While I was in Israel a friend of mine, Leon Peters, took me to the old city of Jaffa to sample what I now consider the best dish of hummus I’ve ever had. Although I later found the dish is called Msabbha, which is based on hummus. Still tasty though.

If anyone can tell me where to find this dish in Melbourne, I’d love to know. I have a recipe I found online and will consider making it myself if all else fails.