Dinner and Markets

Shalom! The sun is setting, its almost dinner time here in Israel and this girl is hungry (shocking) so lets get to it! 

Dinner is NOT a heavy meal. A typical meal would consist of Schnitzel, lots of side salads, hummus tahini and lots of different freshly baked breads.

This my friends is a schnitzel

Deep fried chicken breast. Oh yes. Its greasy, its hot and it will shoot your cholesterol through the roof. But oh is it delicious! 

I would definitely suggest trying a bite or two just to say you've had it but other than that I wouldn't order it all for myself :) 

Stick to the nutritious and delicious cuisine of the Mediterranean! Fresh vegetables, salads, dairy, some whole wheat breads, grilled fish fresh from the sea!

My hubby enjoying some just caught fish, simply grilled

This is a typical dinner out, all these salads are given to you when you order your main meal.

You will notice a carrot salad, beet salad, hummus, pickles (they love their pickles) and fresh vegetable salads as well. It really is a healthy eaters paradise.....please don't mind the vodka, my family is Russian and we never leave home with out it! ;)

Here is another night out in Israel. The salads are typical to most restaurants.

Bottom line, eating out in Israel is not that much of a dieters downfall. There are plenty of options both healthy and unhealthy, you can always find something to eat whether you are a meat eater, vegetarian (hello falafel balls!) or vegan. The food is flavorful, fresh and abundant.

A must on any middle eastern journey is a trip to the market. Food and goods are sold in outside air markets and it is a must whenever you travel here. You will find things like meat, fish, dairy, breads, fresh fruits and vegetables.....

Challah challah!

Lots of candy and oh so many spices!

Just about anything a person would need! Brad? Is that you? 

You think he's collecting royalties?

Israel pt 2

So breakfast is covered. Lets continue with lunch. As in most countries around the middle east, many people do not eat out of the home as much as say Americans would. The meals are eaten at home and money is saved for more important things. Like clubbing in Tel Aiv on a Saturday night :)

Yala red bull vodka!! (My Israelis should understand)

So lunch would probably be on the lighter side. Something quick to eat, most likely it will be a burekas. Which is a flaky pastry filled with potato or cheese. Served with lots of pickles and eggs on the side.

Now this my friends is NOT I repeat, NOT a health food.

Although quite tasty, it is dripping with butter due to the pastry dough. You see how they cut it up into pieces? My advice it so share this with 2 or 3 (yes 3!) people, grab a chunk or 3 with some hard boiled eggs and pickles and you got yourself a tasty lunch! I never said you couldn't eat it, its all about moderation! Why deprive yourself of this delicious creation!? 

People also usually eat this after a night of clubbing, can you say the perfect drunk food?

The number one thing you must eat in Israel is a pita filled with Falafel or shawarma meat. Shawrma is meat roasted on a long spit, usually made of chicken or lamb, and then shaved off into slices. Since this is Israel where the majority eat Kosher or Halal, you will never find pork. 

Falafel are balls made of  ground up chickpeas and spices that are then deep-fried.This is then stuffed in a soft pita with hummus, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and tahini sauce.

(Ive used this picture already but really who cares, you need to see this again)

My advice? Keep the pita, easy on the hummus, fill it half way with veggies, add chicken shawarma, throw in 1 falafel ball, no tahini sauce and viola! You've got yourself a healthy filling lunch covering all the food groups. 

My feelings when eating on vacation are, moderation is key. You should never deprive yourself of foods that are once in a lifetime. Eating the food is part of the experience and how you really immerse yourself in the culture. I believe that you can have something "bad" as long as its balanced with something healthy on the side. Because come on, what do you remember most, "that mango that was cut in front of you in the markets of Tel Aviv with your husband", or that "painting in a museum"? :P