Israeli Soul

There is pure magic in books that can deliver a world of adventure with each flip of a page. Israeli Soul: Easy, Essential, Delicious by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook is such a book. As many of us know, the authors have written two prior books together the award-winning Zahav and Federal Donuts. Their latest offering is sure to be preceded by the words “award-winning” soon.

Between the covers of Israeli Soul lies a whirlwind experience that is wrought by the passion of the authors’ love of Israel. My work, while exhausting at this time of year, is a labor of love and there are instances where I can’t spend enough time with a book before a promotion goes up. Today, after a few weeks of long days, I took an hour and sat on the couch to connect with this book. It was hard to pull away to make dinner, pull the trash to the curb and perform other mundane duties that we all are responsible for in our daily lives, but I did. I knew one thing after spending an hour in Israeli Soul, I had to write about it tonight and I am going back for more.

This year marks 70 years of Independence for Israel and the publication of this book was planned to coincide with this anniversary. While Israeli Soul is indeed filled with 177 recipes, its true value is found in the narrative of a man who loves his birth country. His gift to us is bringing the culture and cuisine of Israel into our hearts. The countless photographs that capture the beauty of Israel, its people and its food are captivating.

Let me be clear, the recipes look spectacular from spice blends and sauces, to schnitzel and falafel, to yeasted rugelach. I am particularly enamored with the breads and desserts shared here but the first recipe I have planned to make is the Chicken thigh shawarma which looks like it will come together in a snap. The recipes are the bonus – the warmth and spirit of Solomonov is life giving. There are books that make you want to cook, then there is this book that makes you want to live. When our days are filled with stressful world news and obligations, an escape into another world is just the balm needed for our weary souls.

Our   shares a look inside of this title that highlights the following  for Lamb shoulder shawarma. The preview also shares pages that reflect how vibrantly beautiful the content is. Special thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for allowing us to share these pages in our preview and for providing copies in our giveaway below. 

 

 

The publisher is offering three copies of this book to EYB Members in the US and Canada. One of the entry options is to answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on December 13th, 2018.

 


Excerpt used with permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt from Israeli Soul by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook, 2018. 

Post a comment

90 Comments

  • thecharlah  on  October 23, 2018

    Tehina ketchup

  • jmay42066  on  October 23, 2018

    Opera bean soup

  • riley  on  October 23, 2018

    Saffron-braised chicken

  • hirsheys  on  October 23, 2018

    saffron chicken

  • demomcook  on  October 23, 2018

    Red bell pepper spread (Muhammara) – although all of the sauces look amazing, too.

  • Analyze  on  October 23, 2018

    fire-roasted eggplant

  • inflytur  on  October 23, 2018

    Mike Ran’s Mom’s Coffee Cake. I’m always up to try a new coffee cake.

  • monasli  on  October 23, 2018

    Lamb shoulder schwarma and falafel.

  • mjes  on  October 24, 2018

    HaKosem-style fried eggplant

  • Steben  on  October 24, 2018

    Yemenite-style veal osso buco with yellow rice

  • Tanner14  on  October 24, 2018

    Would love to try the Turkish Salad. But all sound good

  • LizyB  on  October 24, 2018

    Saffron braised chicken

  • JRumi  on  October 24, 2018

    Lima beans with tomato and cinnamon

  • wjsisung  on  October 24, 2018

    Saffron chicken

  • Lynnd219  on  October 24, 2018

    Herbed tahina

  • janv  on  October 24, 2018

    the Lamb shoulder shawarma

  • vickster  on  October 24, 2018

    Chicken thigh schwarma

  • Kristjudy  on  October 24, 2018

    Saffron braised chicken

  • kmn4  on  October 24, 2018

    Freekah mujadara

  • matag  on  October 24, 2018

    Lamb shank siniya

  • Ledlund  on  October 24, 2018

    Chamo kubbe sounds so comforting!

  • amyz218  on  October 24, 2018

    Libyan stuffed potatoes (Mafroum)

  • infotrop  on  October 24, 2018

    Persian meatballs with beet sauce

  • Puguppy  on  October 24, 2018

    Turkish salad

  • Mardeen11  on  October 24, 2018

    My mouth is watering! I would love to try to make my own pitas. I can practically taste that delicious goodness. Yum!

  • lpatterson412  on  October 24, 2018

    Fire roasted eggplant

  • tjnelson1hotmail  on  October 24, 2018

    Harissa tahini and pita bread

  • Kblg  on  October 24, 2018

    Baked Eggplant!

  • modbaker  on  October 24, 2018

    English Pea Falafel!

  • Lucicat  on  October 25, 2018

    Turkey paillard

  • eatysmith  on  October 25, 2018

    Herbed tehina!

  • Alivings07  on  October 25, 2018

    Persian Meatballs in Beet Sauce! Own Zahav Cookbook and love it – this looks just as good!

  • antpantsii  on  October 25, 2018

    Roasted corn with long hots

  • RSW  on  October 25, 2018

    Goldie falafel

  • sarahawker  on  October 25, 2018

    Chicken thigh shawarma

  • mombaker247  on  October 25, 2018

    Chicken thigh schwarma

  • MiMi60  on  October 25, 2018

    Pickled mackerel

  • lisambb  on  October 25, 2018

    The carrot and chili salad.

  • brenda21  on  October 25, 2018

    I would make the fire-roasted eggplant

  • pedturn  on  October 25, 2018

    apple Amba

  • rchesser  on  October 26, 2018

    Goldie falafel with herbs and Israeli salad.

  • t.t  on  October 26, 2018

    Chicken thigh shawarma

  • sequoia55  on  October 27, 2018

    Lamb shoulder shawarma

  • banba1  on  October 27, 2018

    Quick and easy Lamb Shoulder Shawarma? Yes, please!

  • heyjude  on  October 27, 2018

    Khachapuri

  • KarenGlad  on  October 27, 2018

    Persian meatballs with beet sauce

  • rachael_mc  on  October 27, 2018

    Yemenite-style veal osso buco with yellow rice

  • mreils  on  October 27, 2018

    Lamb shawarma. Love shawarma – chicken too.

  • elsid22  on  October 27, 2018

    The red bell pepper spread sounds interesting

  • shipwrecks  on  October 27, 2018

    Chicken thigh shawarma

  • MuncyKitchen  on  October 27, 2018

    HaKosem-style fried eggplant

  • mpdeb98  on  October 27, 2018

    Borekas

  • Dannausc  on  October 27, 2018

    Haminados

  • njk4  on  October 27, 2018

    Tehina Ketchup, and shawarma of all kinds

  • Jenamarie  on  October 27, 2018

    Saffron braised chicken!

  • ravensfan  on  October 27, 2018

    Fire-roasted eggplant

  • Siegal  on  October 28, 2018

    I want to make lemonanna!! My fav

  • jenmatt  on  October 28, 2018

    Lamb shank siniya

  • kennethjohngilmour  on  October 29, 2018

    lamb shoulder shawarma found on page 91

  • fbrunetti  on  October 29, 2018

    Saffron-braised chicken

  • vinochic  on  October 29, 2018

    Freekah mujadara

  • JulieQC  on  October 29, 2018

    Labneh tarts

  • stpbcyld50  on  October 30, 2018

    Apple amba!

  • tennyogirl  on  October 30, 2018

    tehina ketchup

  • verorenee  on  October 31, 2018

    pita bread!

  • EmilyR  on  November 2, 2018

    Coconut almond basboosa

  • Carpecookie  on  November 3, 2018

    Saffron braised chicken

  • jnstewart  on  November 5, 2018

    Lamb shoulder shawarma

  • klrclark  on  November 6, 2018

    Apple Amba

  • Laura1  on  November 9, 2018

    Turkish salad

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  November 10, 2018

    I want to make the lamb shank siniya.

  • Sfgordon  on  November 12, 2018

    I'd love to try the chickpeas with baharat, tomatoes, and brown butter

  • dbielick  on  November 13, 2018

    Cauliflower shawarma

  • choppergirl  on  November 13, 2018

    Falafel salad vinaigrette

  • SnarkyLarane  on  November 19, 2018

    So many foods I've never heard of, but I'd try lamb shoulder shwarma.

  • Uhmandanicole  on  November 20, 2018

    Harissa tehina

  • rosalee  on  November 22, 2018

    I can't believe it's not eggplant! [sabich]: battered maitake mushrooms

  • Cpado96  on  November 28, 2018

    Saffron chicken sounds divine

  • kari500  on  December 1, 2018

    Tunisian-style grilled tuna

  • michalow  on  December 1, 2018

    cauliflower shawarma

  • Lizzybee  on  December 1, 2018

    Baked eggplant

  • tcjanes  on  December 2, 2018

    Lamb shoulder shawarma.

  • orchidlady01  on  December 2, 2018

    Beef tongue with beans

  • auntietina  on  December 3, 2018

    Libyan squash salad (Chirshi)

  • marsmomma  on  December 3, 2018

    I would make the Goldie falafel with herbs and Israeli salad first.

  • stjones  on  December 10, 2018

    Chicken thigh schwarma

  • Karla123  on  December 11, 2018

    Goldie falafel with herbs and Israeli salad

  • jason0389  on  December 12, 2018

    Green garbanzo falafel with labneh and pomegranate

  • ToPieFor  on  December 13, 2018

    Persian meatballs with beet sauce

  • Lyla  on  December 13, 2018

    The pita bread on page 57 sounds good.

Seen anything interesting? Let us know & we'll share it!