Hello my friend!

How's things? I hope you had a wonderful Pesach, and are now getting settled back into 'the old routine' again. We have finally eaten the last of the Pesach leftovers (except half a jar of jam...), school term has started, and we are regaining our rhythm after an eventful few weeks. So, it's time to look ahead to what's coming next...

Next Wednesday, 22 April, is Israel's 78th Birthday! Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel's independence day - marks 78 years since the re-establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel. It's a day to be thankful for our ancestral homeland, celebrate her wonderful diversity, and to hope and pray for a peaceful, successful and joyous future for everyone in Israel and the region.

Delicious Israeli food!

Of course the best way to celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut is with a selection of delicious Israeli food and drink! Israeli cuisine is a wonderful fusion of dishes that incorporate classic Jewish recipes, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, and innovative flavours from creative Israeli cooks!

Here are some of our favourites:

• ​The Israeli breakfast​
  The perfect start to the day, Israeli-style! A vibrant tasty, healthy plate that will fill you up till lunchtime.
• ​Courgette, feta and mint pashtida​
  Israel's answer to quiche, this delicious baked dish of eggs, veggies, cheese and herbs makes a satisfying vegetarian main.
• ​Baked mujadarra​
  Enjoyed by Middle Eastern Jews for centuries, this rice and lentil dish is nourishing, comforting and absolutely scrumptious!
• ​Israeli red cabbage salad​
  ​Delicious in a pita with falafel, in a sandwich with humous, or as a crunchy and colourful side with fish or a schnitzel.
• ​Israeli chopped vegetable salad
  Easy, fresh, and delicious! This bright, nutritious salad is a great accompaniment to just about everything.
• ​Yerushalmi kugel​
  Created by Chasidic Jews in Jerusalem sometime around 1700, this traditional baked dish of noodles with caramel and black pepper is as delicious as it is unusual.
• ​Malawach​
  Brought to Israel by Jews from Yemen, this flaky fried flatbread is now a ubiquitous Israeli snack, street food or light meal.

Or if you have a sweet tooth, why not try:

• ​Malabi
  This creamy, rose-scented custard dessert with pomegranate is one of my daughter Kipper's favourites (and she has excellent taste!).
• ​Sahlab​
  If you're still feeling the nip in the air, warm up with this creamy, dreamy, sweet and delicious hot drink, with its fragrant nutty topping.
• ​Cafe hafuch​
  Layers of hot milk and espresso topped with foam, 'upside down coffee' is a caffeinated Israel staple.
• ​Quick halva ice-cream pie​
  This quick and easy dessert is fancy enough for company, and has scrumptious Israeli flavours running right through it.

Shabbat Shalom

But before Yom Ha'atzmaut, it's Shabbat!

Whatever you're up to this weekend, I hope the weather is kind, and you enjoy a relaxing and happy time.

Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom - a Good Shabbos! - filled with peace, happiness, blessings, and only good things for all.

With love, Helen x.

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