Israel: the land of milk and honey

Actually, I read in the Hebrew phrasebook I picked up in the library that the expression used to be 'land of milk and date jam' because for a long time the Rabbis were arguing about whether honey was kosher or not. They kinda decided it was at some point. Interesting, huh?

Anyway, I was super lucky to be able to tag along on Mum's business trip to Tel Aviv. We spent a few days in the city and took a bus to Jerusalem to see the sights there also. It looked a bit like this...

Silliness. We went back to this cafe when it wasn't closed for Shabbat and I ate pumpkin quiche whilst Mum fretted about needing to paint her nails for work.

Clock Tower in Old Jaffa

Tel Aviv is closer to the equator than the UK so the sunset is blink-and-you'll-miss-it fast. Although I probably learnt about this in Geography at some point, I was totally amazed to see the sun fall into the sea at such a speed every evening.

Holy Land of Toy Soldiers. Israel is no place for a pacifist. 

At the airport. There is no escaping McDo.

Joy the Baker recently made Green Israeli Couscous salad. This is my take on it. I used Palestinian couscous from Zaytoun a fantastic fairtrade co-op that aims to create a UK market for the goods of Palestinian farmers. Check them out here and support them when you can. Cook the couscous then mix with roasted red peppers and courgettes, some feta and a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and mint.

 Cook the couscous then mix with roasted red peppers and courgettes, some feta and a dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and mint.

P.S. Guess what? In Tel Aviv we ate the most amazing hummus, the real deal. Om nom nom.