The Book of New Israeli Food: A Culinary Journey: A Cookbook Hardcover - 2008

Excerpt

Apple, Cinnamon and Walnut Cake

Every family has its recipe for a favorite apple cake. This one is attractive, perfumed with cinnamon, and has the added treat of crunchy walnuts.

Ingredients
5 large baking apples, peeled and cored
juice of half a lemon
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon baking soda
pinch of salt
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup oil
5 tablespoons brandy or calvados
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

For dusting
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon



   1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

   2. Cut 3 apples into a ½ inch dice. Slice the remaining 2 apples into 8 wedges each, sprinkle with lemon juice and set aside.

   3. Sift the flour with cinnamon, baking soda and salt.

   4. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, brandy and vanilla extract until pale and thick, about 8 minutes.

   5. Lower the speed and gradually add the oil and then the flour to the egg mixture.

   6. Fold in the diced apples and chopped walnuts and pour the batter into a well-greased 10" springform pan. Arrange the apple wedges in the center of the cake in a flower pattern. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top.

   7. Bake for 60-70 minutes until the cake is golden and a toothpick comes out dry with a few crumbs adhering.

   8. Cool for 10 minutes, release from pan and cool completely on a rack.
Cooking Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes (including baking time)

Media reviews

“It’s a real joy to discover that a great and vibrant gastronomic culture has emerged in Israel out of the varied legacies from the old Diaspora communities. The Book of New Israeli Food is splendid, engagingly written, with delicious recipes and stunning photographs. Stories, features, and background information give a fascinating insight into life in Israel, the enthusiasm of home cooks, the creativity of chefs, and the passionate endeavors of bakers, winemakers, and olive oil and cheese producers.”
–Claudia Roden, author of The New Book of Middle Eastern Food

“Finally, a book about Israeli food that is modern in its approach and comprehensive in its scope… [With] beautiful photography, an attractive format, plenty of useful recipes, and some food stories to boot, [it] is a perfect gift… Warmly recommended.”
–Israel Aharoni, Yedioth Ahronoth

“Filled with delicious recipes, Janna Gur’s gorgeous new book puts Israel on the culinary map–exactly where it deserves to be.”
–Bonnie Stern, author of Bonnie Stern’s Essentials of Home Cooking

Citations

• Library Journal, 08/15/2008, Page 109
• Publishers Weekly, 06/16/2008, Page 46