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September 3, 2020

Dried Fruit Cookies

Ingredients:
(Makes about 25 cookies)

• 1 stick (110g) butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp (6g) baking powder
• Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract
• 1 cup mix of dried fruits (cranberries, plums, apricots and raisins)
• 1 1/4 cup (160g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (50g) nuts, optional

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl beat butter and sugar until creamy, then add eggs, lemon zest and vanilla extract. Stir well.

3. Add baking powder and flour and mix until well blended. Stir in dry fruits.

4. Pour the dough into one long loaf or 2 smaller loafs into the prepared baking tray. The dough is pretty sticky so you can wet your spatula or use flour to be able to give the right shape.

5. Bake for about 25 minutes, remove from the oven and let cool for about 30 minutes. Cut into 1/2 inch diagonal slices and place them on the baking tray. Bake for another 15-17 minutes until golden brown.

September 3, 2020

Shavuot is celebrated with all kinds of dairy foods, but none as good as cheesecake! Below are a few easy, no-bake cheesecake combinations to make sure you have an incredibly sweet Shavuot. Mix and match crusts and toppings for a delicious holiday treat.

Crusts

Classic Grahm Cracker Crust

• 1.5 cups of crushed graham crackers
• 4 Tbsp. melted butter

Oreo Crust

• 1.5 cups of Crushed Oreo Cookies
• 4 Tbsp melted butter

Pretzel Crust

• 1.5 crushed pretzels
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 5 Tbsp melted butter

Preparation:

1. Mix the crust ingredients in a bowl.

2. Pour into a 9″ pan and press into the bottom. Pack down the cookie crumbs as tight as possible.

3. Set aside in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.

Cheesecake Filling

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces cream cheese
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 3 cups whipped cream

Directions:

• Mix the room-temperature cream cheese in a mixer on high speed, or by hand, until smooth and creamy.
• Add the powdered sugar slowly, about 1/2 cup at a time, until the sugar is incorporated into the cream cheese.
• Add the whipped cream and fold the mixture until the cheesecake filling is consistent.
• Pour into the prepared crust and leave in the refrigerator overnight.
• Pop the cheesecake in the freezer for an hour before serving.
• Add toppings
• Serve!

Toppings

In-season Berries with Strawberry Sauce

• Drizzle store-bought Strawberry Sauce in zig-zags across the top of the cheesecake
• Liberally apply in-season fruit, such as blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries on the top of the cheesecake and around the edges.

Whipped Cream with Oreo Crumbles

• Apply whipped cream in any design across the top of the cheesecake.
• Take 2 Tbs. of crushed Oreos and sprinkle across the whipped cream.
• Place two full Oreos in the center, or decorate by bordering the cake with Oreos broken in half.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Drizzle

• Take chocolate sauce and drizzle it across the top of the cheesecake.
• Heat up 2 Tbs. of peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir.
• Take a spoon and quickly drizzle the peanut butter over the top of the cake in the opposite direction of the chocolate drizzle.

September 3, 2020

Since its founding, Tekoa Farms has endeavored to broaden its range of unique food items for the Israeli table, to achieve the highest standards and respond to growing demand from our customers for natural and healthy food… Today, thanks to wide variety, easy availability and low prices, “our treasures” can be found in almost every kitchen in Israel.”

Mushroom Risotto
By Tekoa FarmsOriginally featured on tekoafarms.co.il

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Tekoa Farms Mushroom Risotto
• 1/3 cup canola oil or other good quality vegetable oil
• 1 onion or 3 shallots – chopped.
• 1 tsp salt
• A pinch of pepper
• 900 ml (3.75 cups) water
• 40 grams (1.4 oz) butter
• 100 ml (a half cup) sweet cream
• 3 tbsp grated parmigiana cheese

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil on medium flame and sauté the onions for 3-4 minutes.

2. Add the rice and mushroom mixture, salt and pepper, and continue to sauté for another minute or until the rice is heated.

3. Add the water and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce the flame and continue to cook uncovered for about 15 minutes while intermittently stirring with a wooden spoon until the water is absorbed by the rice and a creamy consistency is attained.

5. Add the sweet cream and continue to stir until the sweet cream is well mixed into the rice.

6. Taste and add salt if necessary.

7. Remove from the flame. Gently stir in the butter and grated parmigiana cheese until the butter is melted. The rice should be moist but a small hard dot should remain in the middle of the grains.

8. Serve immediately.

Tekoa Farms Tekoa Farms was founded by Mira Weigensberg and Oren Kessler in 1986. They specialize in cultivation of high quality fruits and vegetables. Tekoa Farms is located not far from the ancient palace of King Herod on Mount Herodion, and has an unforgettable view. The hills of the desert lay on one side while lush greenery can be seen on the other.

September 3, 2020

Sun-dried Tomato Spread
By Tekoa FarmsIngredients:

• 1 bag of Tekoa Farms dried tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 stems of fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. Soak the tomatoes in a bowl of boiling water for half an hour, drain and then blend in a blender with the garlic and basil.

2. While blending, add the olive oil gradually until the mixture becomes thick and smooth in texture.

3. Add pepper and salt to taste and serve.

“Since its founding, Tekoa Farms has endeavored to broaden its range of unique food items for the Israeli table, to achieve the highest standards and respond to growing demand from our customers for natural and healthy food… Today, thanks to wide variety, easy availability and low prices, “our treasures” can be found in almost every kitchen in Israel.”

September 3, 2020

Tekoa Farms
Tekoa Farms was founded by Mira Weigensberg and Oren Kessler in 1986. They specialize in cultivation of high quality fruits and vegetables. Tekoa Farms is located not far from the ancient palace of King Herod on Mount Herodion, and has an unforgettable view. The hills of the desert lay on one side while lush greenery can be seen on the other.

Chicken with Sun-dried Tomatoes, Ginger & Honey
By Tekoa Farms

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken pieces
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 shallot onions, chopped
• 1 bag of Tekoa Farms dried tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• fresh ginger, finely grated
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 4 tbsps white wine/semi-dry
• 4 tbsps honey
• 1 cups water
• a small amount of salt and pepper
• 1/4 bunch basil leaves, roughly chopped
• ½ tsp peeled pine nuts

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in a wide and flat pot. Brown chicken pieces and remove from pan.

2. Steam onions in the same pot, mix with a wooden spoon until they become light yellow.

3. Add paprika, ginger, garlic, and honey to onions. Mix over high heat for 1 minute. Add wine. Reduce heat.

4. Return chicken to pot. Add water and lemon juice. Season with a small amount of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.

5. Soak dried tomatoes in warm water for 10 minutes. Remove tomatoes from water. Cut into thick strips. Gently add tomatoes to the pot, in between pieces of chicken. Continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes.

6. Remove pot cover and continue to cook until sauce is a thick glaze.

7. Add basil before the end of cooking. Decorate with pine nuts.

“Since its founding, Tekoa Farms has endeavored to broaden its range of unique food items for the Israeli table, to achieve the highest standards and respond to growing demand from our customers for natural and healthy food… Today, thanks to wide variety, easy availability and low prices, “our treasures” can be found in almost every kitchen in Israel.”

September 3, 2020

Yoram Cohen
Yoram grew up in Netivot as one of 17 siblings. After getting expelled in the 8th grade, he lost his faith in people and started to wander from community to community in Judea and Samaria as they were being built. He always wanted to reconnect and after serving in the Israeli Army, he went to Yeshiva (Talmudic college). There, he was introduced to his wife Ayelet. Together, thy live in Ofra with their eight children. In addition to pursuing a high-level religious education, Yoram opened up the Tanya Winery and became a photographer.

Ofra
On the border between the hills of Binyamin and Samaria, Ofra is a religious community north of Jerusalem, situated on the slopes of Ramat Hatzor. The town council belongs to the Benyamin regional council and was established on the 9th of Iyar 5735 (1975). Ofra was the first Jewish town to be built in Samaria after the Six Day War. Today, there are over 600 families living here.

“I was always different, and my way to G-d is also different.”

Tunisian Meatballs
By Yoram Cohen

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg. chicken breast, cut into small pieces
• 2 finely cut onion
• Crushed head of garlic
• 2 boiled potatoes, mashed into puree
• Finely chopped dill, parsley and coriander (including stalks)
• Baharat
• Ground Chili
• Black Pepper
• 1 t. drinking soda/seltzer (this is the “secret” of making airy meatballs)
• Oil for frying

Preparation:

1. Mix all the ingredients and season according to taste

2. Roll the meatballs with wet hands. It is preferable to prepare all of them before frying to ensure consistency.

3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the meatballs on both sides until they are brown.

September 3, 2020

Adina Harris
Adina, though born in America, spent most of her early childhood in Israel. After she relocated with her family to Arizona in 2001, she decided to return home to Israel as an adult. She met her husband here and, together, they settled in Kochav Yaakov. Adina loves to cook and has been enjoying posting pictures of her food on her instagram (@adina.harris.foods). She blends her French/Algerian background with the American and Israeli foods she grew up loving.Kochav Yaakov
Kochav Yaakov is a religious community in the region of Benyamin, in between Jerusalem and Bet El, about 20 minutes north of Jerusalem. In 2016 it had a population of 7,394 and is home to a diverse group of native Israelis and immigrants. There are synagogues from around the world, to match the diversity of the people, including many Sephardi synagogues, an Ashkenazi synagogue (Eastern-European), North African, and Yemenite.

“I love the realness of the people in Israel. I choose to line in Kochav Yaakov because it’s close to Jerusalem and I love the community feeling of the yeshuv [community] and with all different nationalities living there, it’s a beautiful melting pot of people who love Israel with their whole heart.”

By Adina HarrisIngredients:

• 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) ground turkey
• 4 long Zucchini
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, oregano and paprika
• Olive oil
• Pack of mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped finely
• Tomato Sauce

*If you want to be adventurous, you can use this recipe to create individual moussaka wraps by substitute the ground turkey with ground meat and the zucchini with eggplant.

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 180C/350F

2. Wash the zucchini and use a peeler to peel zucchini in the same place repeatedly to get strips. The longer the zucchini the easier it will be to make the wrap.

3. Take the mushrooms and onions, saute over olive oil with salt and pepper until cooked/soft. Set aside.

4. Heat 2 tbs. of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add in ground turkey.

5. Flavor with salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, oregano and paprika to taste.

6. Mix everything together and, using a wooden spoon or spatula, break the meat into small pieces and cook until lightly browned.

7. Place two zucchini strips vertically, and two horizontally so that they are perpendicular. It should look like a plus sign. Spoon in some turkey and some of the mushroom mixture.

8. Fold the bottom/top of the zucchini strips over the filling, then the left/right strips, to create the wrap.

9. In a pan, cover the bottom with tomato sauce, then place the zucchini wraps inside. Drench the remaining tomato sauce over the wraps and put in the oven for 30 min. Enjoy!

September 3, 2020

Orit Rappaport
Orit and her husband, Ira, came to Judea and Samaria in 1975. Initially, they moved to Ofrah, but for the last thirty years they have resided in Shiloh.Shiloh
A religious community in the Ephraim mountains of southern Samaria, belonging to the Binyamin regional council, and established 5738 (1978). Tel Shiloh and its visitors’ center, where the remains of ancient Shiloh have been the modern town of two hundred and thirty families.

“I have very clear memories of those days [starting new communities of Mehulah and Mevoh Horon]. I found it hard to believe that we would succeed. It was quite amazing watching a handful of inspired young men who thought and believed that they could overcome all. For me that was a real lesson in resolution and faith. I had the great privileged of witnessing the birth of these communities from the first.”

Pesto with Olives
By Orit RappaportIngredients:

• 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds (soaked overnight)
• Walnuts
• 6 Large cloves of garlic
• Bunch of basil (no stalks)
• Bunch of Parsley and Coriander
• 1 Lemon
• 1/2 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of pitted green olives
• Salt

Preparation:

1. Process all the ingredients in a food processor until a thick consistency is achieved.

Alternatively, you can use a blender or mortar and pestle.

September 3, 2020

Tekoa Farms
Tekoa Farms was founded by Mira Weigensberg and Oren Kessler in 1986. They specialize in cultivation of high quality fruits and vegetables. Tekoa Farms is located not far from the ancient palace of King Herod on Mount Herodion, and has an unforgettable view. The hills of the desert lay on one side while lush greenery can be seen on the other.“Since its founding, Tekoa Farms has endeavored to broaden its range of unique food items for the Israeli table, to achieve the highest standards and respond to growing demand from our customers for natural and healthy food… Today, thanks to wide variety, easy availability and low prices, “our treasures” can be found in almost every kitchen in Israel.”

Piquant Soup
By Tekoa FarmsIngredients:

• 1 bag of Tekoa Farms dried mushrooms
• 4 diced cloves of garlic
• 2 thinly diced shallots
• 2 teaspoons of thinly diced ginger root
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• thinly diced scallions
• a handful of bean sprouts,
• 3 tablespoons of diced cilantro
• 1 teaspoon of lemon/lime juice
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 spicy pepper, diced
• salt

Preparation:

1. Soak the mushroom mix in a cup of hot water for about ½ an hour.

2. Fry the garlic over a low flame until light brown, add the shallots and ginger and continue to fry until the garlic
becomes dark brown but not burned.

3. Add the chicken/vegetable broth.

4. Drain and squeeze the water out of the mushrooms and add to the soup. (Save the mushroom liquid)

5. Add the mushroom liquid and bring to a simmer for a few minutes; season with lemon and salt to taste.

6. In a serving bowl arrange green onions, hot peppers, sprouts and cilantro and pour the soup into the bowl.

*It is recommended to add rice noodles to the soup that have been soaked in cold water an hour previously.

September 3, 2020

Iyar Segal
Iyar moved to Judea with her husband, Ran, in 2004 and lives is Givat Arnon (Hill 777) next to the town of Itamar. She served in the Israeli army as a welfare NCO in the Golani Brigade, the Artillery and Northern Command. She holds a masters’ degree in Middle Eastern Studies, but after working for the Ministry of Defense, she decided to go back to her passion of helping people. Iyar re-enlisted in the army, joining the mental health branch of the Medical Corps, after qualifying as a social worker. She has since worked in several positions in the IDF’s mental health system for the last ten years.

Givat Arnon (Hill 777)

This is a hill community belonging to Itamar and situated approximately six kilometers east of the town. It was established in 1998 by Bnei Hayil, a secular organization supporting the rural settlement communities connected to the Labor Party. Givat Arnon is named in memory of Aryeh Arnaldo Agronyoni, a resident of the community who was murdered whilst on guard duty on the hill. Today, Givat Arnon is home to eleven families.

“There is a very special feeling on the Hill because of its pluralistic openness. Living with people so different to myself has made me more open and tolerant, and more willing to accept things as they are. In the city it’s easy to change one’s kindergarten and neighbors, but in a small place like this, this is one’s sole reality. And you have to work on your inner-self to adapt rather than make external changes.”Chocolate Truffles
By Iyar Segal

Ingredients:

• 1 container sweet cream
• 4 bars of bitter chocolate (at least 60% cocoa)
• 1 tablespoon Cherry or Coffee Liquor
• 50gm butter Cocoa

Preparation:

1. Boil the cream and melt the chocolate and butter into it until it takes on a sheen.

2. Line a rectangular tin with baking paper and pour in the mixture. Close it well and freeze overnight.

3. After frozen, seperate the chocolate from the paper and cut into cubes with a sharp knife (or shape into balls).

4. Place cocoa in a bowl and roll the chocolate in it until it is completely covered.

5. Store in freezer