Falafel

Falafel is an Israeli street food staple. While the street version is delicious, it isn’t always the healthiest thing for you. Here's a simple baked falafel recipe that keeps the flavor without the fat. Try it out and let me know what you think!

1 -20 oz can chickpeas
1/2 onion
1/4 cup of chopped parsley and/or cilantro mixed
2-3 cloves garlic (slightly roasted)

1 Tbsp flour
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
couple tablespoons of olive oil - for the falafel and for the baking sheet
1 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp pepper

Drain the chickpeas and pulse everything together in a food processor. You want to end up with a couscous consistency. Then roll the mixture into half dollar sized balls and lightly coat with olive oil. Put the balls on a baking sheet (it’s ok to smush them a little so they have a flat top and bottom) then put them in the oven at 400 degrees F - 10 minutes for first side, 15 minutes for the second.

For more step by step instructions (or a fried recipe) check out at http://theshiksa.com/2011/01/05/falafel/

Oktoberfest Tel Aviv

Last night I went to Tel Aviv's first Octoberfest at Hatachana (the old train station). This is a two day event ends tonight at 23:00 and is worth a visit.

I'm still not quite sure anyone outside Israel would count this event as part of Oktoberfest. Taking up only a fraction of the Hatachana compound it it seemed more like a Paulaner expo than a German beer festival.

With free entry, great music, lots of beer, and food  stands it's a solid choice for your Thursday night. The live band played familiar songs at a volume that still allowed you to have a conversation. And I'm pretty sure we were always within an arms distance from beer. The deal of the night is a 36nis 1/2 liter with a complementary glass. The glass only says Paulaner, not Oktoberfest. 

Foodies, if you're a fan of German Bratwurst then this is the closest you'll find in Israel outside shtern1.co.il/. Located next to Neve Tzedek and Yafo, Hatachana is a great place to explore with it's late night galleries and high end restaurants. Go for Oktoberfest, stay for the atmosphere.

Photo from bit.ly/PzmUXk  

Why doesn't Israel have a Costco?

Israel maintains a very European lifestyle. There are markets to buy fruits, butchers for meat, and grocery stores for staples. Tel Aviv even has a store for only eggs and honey. Not all of Israel is like this. There definitively are places where people have yards with grass, SUV’s, big fridges, and even bigger homes. In Tel Aviv there simply doesn’t seem like there is room for a Costco.

The average Costco shopper, in the US, has a higher level of income than I would have guessed. I have read two separate reports that said these upper middle class shoppers have an average income of over $72,000 - $100,000 a year. If we assume that the Israeli market would also attract these higher income buyers, those who have the trunk and closet space to store all of their purchases, it becomes realistic to have a Costco. Why not bring this warehouse giant to a country that loves a good bargain?

I was on my way down south when the people I was driving with took me to a supermarket in Ber Sheva. I was in love. It looked like a Costco. Everything was big, in bulk, and cheap. The Israeli’s were shocked, who wouldn’t be. In most cities all you see are the little makolets (general stores) and grocery stores called “Super Something”.

I understand not taking up valuable real-estate in the country’s center with a Costco Warehouse, but why not the North or South? Heck, if people are willing to rent a car to drive to Ikea, and assemble DIY furniture, why not drive out to buy 100 of something at a 14% markup?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/CostcoMoncton.JPG