Arab cuisine in Israel is a crucial part of most locals' diets. It is healthy, locally sourced, farm-to-table, and to most, very tasty. Modern Israeli cuisine has many roots in the Arab kitchen; foods like falafel and Hummus have become delicious street food that most Israelis cannot deny.
That is why all August long, Delilah restaurant in Tel Aviv will host chefs from the Arab sector to give Arab chefs a major platform to showcase their cuisine, using both traditional and modern techniques and exposing it to the general public.
As part of the event, on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the month, the most respected chefs from the Arab sector will join the kitchen at "Delilah" chef's restaurant located in the heart of the Levinsky market.
Each guest chef will serve for an exclusive one night only, a menu of their creation that expresses the chef's interpretation of local Arab cuisine. The menus are created and coordinated with Delilah's chefs, Jake Saitowitz and Hamodi Abulafia. The menus they created reveal different sides of Arab-Israeli cuisine. Some bring lesser-known authentic dishes to the table, while others give an original and innovative interpretation to the traditional classics.
If you understand Iraqi Arabic, this is fascinating to listen to. An Iraqi Jew emigrant in Tel Aviv selling street food. https://t.co/zl7y6fbw8d
— Ariz Kader (@KaderAriz) May 7, 2021
One of these chefs is Omar Alwan. Known for his ability to combine Arabic cuisine with modern cooking techniques based on classic European cuisine, his style is unique for an Arab chef. He has created a menu specifically for his showcase evening along with Chef Abulafia, drawing inspiration from traditional dishes he was raised with and giving them a modern twist.
From freekah risotto with sautéed wild mushrooms to seared lamb fillet with freekeh in tomato butter and vegetables, Chef Alwan uses a classic Arabic staple with freekeh (green Durham wheat), and showcases how it can be used in basic and complex combinations. The risotto is not to be missed.
The National Food Security Initiative conference held last week in Tel Aviv revealed the names of five donors who have funded a food security programme, including United Arab Emirates (UAE) tycoon Mohamed Alabbar.
— صوت الحق (@BournAgainShell) June 18, 2022
Hebrew daily business newspaper Calcalist reported on pic.twitter.com/ogJkB5Nqb1
Alwan, who cooked at the "Haj Kahil" and "Ala Gefen" restaurants, currently splits his time between the Mijana restaurant in Arara and the "Zest" restaurant in Ramallah.
🚨New Episode Alert 🚨
— Kosher Guru™️ (@thekosherguru) July 27, 2022
A new episode of my TV show on ILTV has dropped for all to watch and enjoy.
Arais is Israeli-Arabic street food of pita stuffed with deliciousness and we’re tasting them at Arais in Tel Aviv. #israel #food #kosher https://t.co/WP0HhSbhqB
Another great guest at Delilah is Mozna Bashara of Israel's Masterchef fame, and overall expert on Arab food coming out of northern Samaria will be participating. Chef Bashara will take the tradition a few steps further and cook classic dishes with original and surprising twists together with Chef Abulafia. Part of the menu she creates with Abulafia combines vegetarian versions of well-known and beloved dishes, such as Chicken Maschan rolled in a special pita or a completely vegetarian Kobe Siniye which is usually made with meat.
If you are in Tel Aviv and want to show your support for and celebration of true coexistence, head over to the Levinsky market and ask anyone where Delilah is. If that does not work, just Google 'Rambam 12, Tel Aviv' and follow the blue dot.
Bateiavon.
