You guys! I just recently got back from an amazing trip to Israel. Some of you may have already known this if you follow along on Facebook or Instagram. Today I want to share with you how this all came about and share with you our first full day in Israel.
A couple of months ago I received an invitation from a group of students from Israel who are part of a non-profit organization, Stand With Us. They were inviting us on a tour of Israel’s culinary and historical sites, called Taste of Israel.
This group of students spent countless hours raising money, throwing fundraising parties, planning, and working with sponsors to make this trip happen. One thing I totally did not expect was that I would come to care a great deal about each and every one of the students and the other bloggers. In 5 days, I felt like we all became good friends…and I kind of miss them…I feel like I left something behind in Israel…like a piece of my heart.
We flew in and arrived in time to stop off at the hotel and freshen up before heading out to dinner at Haim Cohen’s Restaurant. Haim Cohen is quite the celebrity in Israel where he is one of the Master Chefs (judges) on the popular show Master Chef Israel. We were lucky enough to be able to spend a bit of time talking with him and asking him questions. He was so warm and gracious and welcomed us with an admirable humbleness. Not at all what I would likely expect from someone with his prestige. And…the food was amazing!
photo credit Ally’s Kitchen
(Matan, Kevin, Jen, Ally, Haim Cohen, Heather, Me, Debbi, Shira, and Elad)
After a nice and relaxing dinner and getting to know one another, we headed back to the hotel for a good night’s rest which was welcome after two long flights and a very long day of travel. We stayed in the Dan Hotel in Tel Aviv which has an amazing view of the Mediterranean Sea and Jaffa.
The next morning we walked along the Mediterranean Sea and over to Jaffa which you can see in the distance to the left, in the above photo from my hotel room. The Mediterranean Sea is such a beautiful blue color.
We really enjoyed our Israeli tour guide, Avigail, along with our new Israeli friends. It was such a great way to feel like we were immersed in the Israeli culture instead of just being “tourists”. I feel so blessed to have been able to spend so much time getting to know EACH of the students, our tour guide, the food, customs and history of Israel.
In the above photo you can see the bell tower of St. Peter’s Church in the Old town Jaffa.
We walked through the Old town of Jaffa and I LOVED the narrow alleyways. It was amazing to be there and imagine the thousands of footsteps that have tread here for thousands of years of history.
We were able to see the house where, according to ancient traditions, Simon Peter lived. St. Peter, regarded as the most important, and spokesman of the Apostles, resided in the house of Simon the Tanner in Jaffa.
(Acts 10 6): “He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side”.
However, the Roman Catholic tradition holds that the house is located at the site of St. Peter’s Church.
Jaffa is also tied historically to Solomon and Jonah in Biblical stories.
From the port of Jaffa, we walked a short distance over to Abu Hassan’s for some of his famous Hummus. Now…I personally am a HUGE Hummus fan. I thought I knew what good hummus was. I almost wish I had NOT experienced Abu Hassan’s hummus…because I don’t think they deliver to the states.
We stood huddled together in the street and shared a couple of large bowls of this amazing Hummus. I am sure we were a site to see…a group of tourists fighting over every last bit of hummus and pita bread.
I NEED to figure out how to recreate this at home…because seriously…the hummus I can buy around here is just not going to cut it! You can bet I will be playing around with a good hummus recipe now…especially because I can actually eat it without getting sick.
*Update 11.8.13–I came up with a Hummus Recipe and shared it here: Hummus Recipe
We stopped by Dr. Shakshuka for a taste of…well…Shashuka.
Shashuka is made by poaching eggs in a delicious tomato sauce. You then eat it by scooping the Shashuka right out of the pan with your bread! You guys…it was so yummy! I wish I could have eaten more of it…but because I have an intolerance to tomatoes, I didn’t want to get sick…but I for sure couldn’t leave Israel without trying it!
Then…because a lot of this trip was about the different culinary “Tastes” of Israel, we headed across the alleyway to Fragi for some Couscous.
Couscous is a pasta made from semolina flour mixed with water. The couscous was then served with pumpkin and carrot. This was perhaps one of my favorite dishes…other than the amazing Hummus!
After stuffing ourselves full of goodness, we walked a short distance to a bakery and drooled over the goodness. Even though we were stuffed…one always find room for some dessert!
We shared this amazing Kanafeh, which typically in Jerusalem, is a neon orange pastry with a crust of shredded phyllo dough or semolina filled with soft goat cheese.
So unique and surprisingly tasty! This dessert can be found in many different varieties depending on which country you are in. One thing I noticed is that Israel was a melting pot of different cultures and countries and the food is a great mix of many with it’s own little twist. I was ultimately surprised at how much I was enjoying all of the foods, especially with my darn food intolerances.
And…surprisingly, I never once felt the sickness and bloating that I usually feel when I eat something I have an intolerance to in the States. This is something that really surprised me. I have a lot to learn and feel like it was a blessing in so many different ways to have this culinary experience.
We were able to spend some time browsing the local flea market in downtown Jaffa and then immediately headed over to an amazing cooking class at the Dan Gourmet Cooking School…the first Kosher Cooking Schools.
We made some delicious charred eggplant with Tahini and some Israeli “pizza” made with lamb (best darn pizza I have ever had…and…made with everything I CAN eat unlike American Pizza)!
After eating and chatting (two things we had a lot of practice at) we headed back to the hotel for a little down time to digest and freshen up before heading out to dinner at Herbert Samuel. Pretty rough day right?
More amazing food…great conversation and an invitation to see the kitchen! Then off to bed (in my stretchy pants because I ate too much) to get ready for our second day which we would be spending in Haifa. Stay tuned….
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Leigh Anne@YourHomebasedMom says
Your trip looks absolutely amazing and oh my the food! One thing we discovered when we traveled in Europe was that my daughter who has a LOT of food sensitivities, allergies etc. could eat many things there that she can’t eat at home. Our food here in the US is so over processed and genetically engineered unlike in Europe and other countries that, that is what causes so many problems. I think we all need to move to Europe!
Amy says
Thank you so much Leigh Anne! I was so surprised about the food too! I think you are exactly right. I think my main issue is the preservatives and fillers and the genetically engineered stuff! I would LOVE to go to Europe! xo
What an amazing trip! The food and friends sound amazing!
Thanks Cindy! The food and friends are what I miss the most!
What an amazing trip! So neat that you got to experience Israel with locals. Such a neat opportunity! Thanks for sharing your pictures and experience. Can’t wait to read more!
Thank you Linda! It sure made for an amazing experience to be able to be given a tour with the locals. We hit the best spots and really felt like we weren’t tourists…except for the ridiculous amount of photos we were taking! :)
Oh my gosh! My mouth was watering reading this. I would have LOVED to have tried that hummus. Lucky girl! The trip looks amazing. Happy you got to experience this!
The HUMMUS!! The best! Thanks Amy!
What an amazing trip! I loved following along on IG and am so glad you are sharing more here. Be sure to share when you figure out the secret to that hummus!
Thank you Nikkala! You are so sweet. You can bet I am going to for sure give it a good try! Wishing I had better culinary instincts ;/!!
So many gorgeous photos Amy! The food looks amazing…what an incredible trip! :)
Thank you Rebecca! That really means a lot to me, especially coming from you! xo
I have to chime in here to tell you that way back in the mid 80s I made a trip to live in an Indonesian village. At the time I was already unable to eat some really basic foods here (in Canada), especially beef. But there, we ate the cow that was at the end of its life, tough as leather unless cooked right and then the stuff that dreams are made of (Padang rendang, I still dream of it).
I came home and begged my local butcher to find me a source of beef that was fed right and not medicated; the old guy tried to convince me it was just the marbleized fats in the meat — too rich. My symptoms were so horrible!!!
I also read of two French girls living in NYC, eating their same diet, gaining some 30 lbs each over several months … again, the ingredients.
As I navigate foods I am grateful that I have enough money to afford some foods that are natural, but I’m really thoughtful of friends living on limited budgets because of disabilities or poverty, stuck eating the worst of what is available. I know some of them are truly held back in recovery or living their lives in relative comfort because of these limitations and the foods that are available to them.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me Karen. It is so nice to hear my thoughts and feelings validated. I really do think there is something to this! Makes me want to find the best food options possible for me and my family. I am on the lookout now and have a re-determined commitment to myself! Glad you are able to eat that way for yourself…and yes…I too feel badly that there are so many who suffer through this!
i could not wait to see all of these pics and hear about it after seeing yours and heathers pics on facebook! what an amazing trip…once in a lifetime. that food all sounds AMAZING. thanks for sharing and giving us a little taste! :)
Thank you Kiki! It for sure was a once in a lifetime trip and I feel really blessed and grateful to have had this opportunity!
Love it all. Love the cobblestone streets. I, too, am grateful that the time I spent in Israel, I was able to immerse and get to know locals. How fabulous that you were able to eat food without the intolerance, and hopefully incorporate it into your family eating moving forward!
The cobblestone streets were one of my favorite parts! I am really hoping to go back someday with my husband!
Looks so completely fabulous–so glad you had the opportunity to go!
Thank you Emily! I really appreciate it! Miss you!
These pictures are amazing Amy! I loved following along on Instagram too because I felt like I was right there with you. The found looks divine. I’m drooling. Mmmmmm…. xo
Thank you Mique! Thanks for following along and always being so supportive. I always appreciate it. The food!!!!! I miss it!
WOW! WOW! WOW!! Seriously girl… talk about a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity! The pictures are amazing and the food looks absolutely delicious!! So happy that you were able to have such a wonderful experience. :)
haha! Thank you sweet Kristyn! I really appreciate that!
Amazing Amy! I loved seeing all your IG pics, but these pics are just beautiful! Now I want to go over there just to eat. :)
Me too Becky! Me too! Lets plan on it!
Wow! It looks so amazing Amy!! I am so happy and thrilled for you. I can’t wait to hear more!
xoxox
Thank you Jen! You are so sweet! Thanks for taking the time to stop on over and comment!
Oh my goodness! Your trip looks AMAZING! The food looks so good. I really want to travel there someday!
Thank you! Lets plan a big trip! :)
what an incredible experience. i was totally following you & heather on ig & watching for updates. the food looks amazing. such a great adventure. love all your pics too!
Thanks Kellie! You are so sweet! Thanks for taking the time to share that! xo
What an amazing experience! I didn’t get to try nearly that many tasty things on my trip there years ago. I do remember our hotel had the most amazing hot chocolate! Can’t wait to hear more.
Thanks Michelle! I am always amazed to find out how many people I know who have already been able to visit Israel!! Thanks so much for sharing that! xo
Amy! What an amazing experience. Once in a lifetime! I am so happy that you shared it with us. The pictures are stunning!!!
Thank you Stacy! I really appreciate it! ox
What an amazing opportunity Amy! everything looks so beautiful!
I miss you Amy!! xoxox ~ally
You too Ally!! Following along on your FB page and am loving watching all your great adventures! xo
Sussie fishbeins cookbook has the best humus recipe! The closest to the originals that you ate in Israel if not better.