lb. canned chick-peas (drained)
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbs. finely chopped parsley
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
1/2 to 1 cup breadcrumbs or fine bulgur (crushed wheat)
1 tsp. ground coriander or cumin
1 tsp. dried hot peppers
1 tsp. garlic powder
vegetable oil (for frying)

Combine chick-peas with onion. Add parsley, lightly beaten egg and spices. Mix in blender. Add breadcrumbs until mixture forms a small ball without sticking to your hands. Form chick-pea mixture into small balls about the size of a quarter (one inch in diameter). Flatten patties slightly and fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain falafel balls on paper towels. Serve individually with toothpicks as an hors d'oeuvre or as a sandwich filling with chopped tomato, cucumber, radish, lettuce, onion, hummus and/or tehina inside pita bread. Makes about 24 falafel balls.

Like tehina, hummus was brought to Israel by Jews from Arab countries, though today it is everyone's favorite. It tastes best when eaten with fresh, warm pita bread.

2 cups canned chick-peas, drained juice of 2 lemons
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cumin
3 tbs. pure tahini paste or 1 cup tehina (see above recipe)
2 garlic cloves, mashed
2-3 tbs. oil
parsley (for garnish)

Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, mix until chick-peas are smooth. Refrigerate hummus in a covered container. Serve well-chilled, with chopped parsley on top. If desired, reserve 1/4 cup unmashed chick-peas and sprinkle on top. More garlic may be added, if desired. If pita is not available, crackers or thick slices of French or Italian bread may be used.

2 lbs. ground meat (beef or lamb)
1 tsp. ground cumin
chopped parsley
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper
1 large onion

Mix meat with cumin, salt, pepper, and water. Knead well for 5 minutes. Add chopped onion and chopped parsley. Form a big ball and keep in refrigerator for 12 hours.

Before cooking, wet your fingers and form 3 in. x 1 in. stick-like hamburgers. Grill for 5-8 minutes. Turn from side to side until brown. Serve with fresh vegetable salad.

Chicken is extremely popular in Israel, because it is relatively inexpensive and can be prepared in many ways. Chicken paprika is, of course, a Hungarian variation. With the amount of chicken Israelis consume, it is hard to imagine a family going without it for very long.

1 - 4 lb. chicken
3 tbs. flour
2 tbs. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 tbs. chicken fat or margarine
1-1/2 cups sliced onion
1 tbs. paprika
1 cup boiling water

Cut up chicken and season with flour, salt and pepper. Brown chicken in the fat (or margarine). Remove chicken and brown onions in remaining fat (or margarine). Return chicken to the pan, sprinkle with paprika and add water. Cover and cook over low heat for 1-1/2 hours or until chicken is tender.

3 1/2 cups sifted flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cup nuts, walnuts, or almonds
4 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
4 tsp. vegetable oil
2 cups dark honey
1/2 cup brewed coffee
Optional

1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. powdered cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger

Sift flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger together (spices depend on your personal taste).
Beat eggs, gradually adding the sugar. Beat until thick and light in color. Beat in oil, honey and coffee; stir in flour mixture and nuts. Grease an 11x16x4 inch baking pan and line with aluminum foil. For 2 smaller cakes, use two 9 inch loaf pans. Turn the batter into the pan(s). Bake at 325 deg F (170 deg C) 1-1/4 hours for the large cake, 50 minutes for the 2 smaller ones, or until browned and cake tester comes out clean. Cool on a cake rack before removing from pan.

Tarato comes from Bulgaria. The Jews of Bulgaria, like those of Holland, Greece, Turkey, and Italy, are descended from Jews expelled from Spain and Portugal in the 15th century. This cold soup is particularly suitable for hot summer nights in Israel. Yogurt, the main ingredient, has been a popular food in Israel for many years.

3 cups plain yogurt
3 cups water
crushed nuts
dash of salt
2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. vinegar
2 cucumbers (diced or cut into small pieces)

Mix all ingredients except nuts. Sprinkle with nuts and cool in refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving.