if my book was a salad, this would be it
bright, herby, israelish salad
It’s no secret—I love vegetables. I love their seasonality, their crunch, the way they make me feel during and after eating them. I love that I don’t need to take vitamins because I eat so many of them. I love how they go together in unexpected, beautiful ways. Most of all, I love that my life’s work and legacy is a true love letter to vegetables and what the earth gives us— - is rooted in this big, joyful love of freshness.
If you’re new here, I published my first children’s book, This Is What I Eat: Fun Activities for Mindful Eating, with Random House Kids in January 2023. After working in schools with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution in my early 20s, I knew my mission was to help kids eat a little better. My book is a journey through healthy eating—exploring colors, shapes, sizes, and playful activities.
Last week, I went to Shabbat at a friend’s house and, as always, offered to bring an Israeli salad and a dessert. This is how my heart wanted to make the salad this week, and I’m sharing the recipe with you. Typically this salad is made with cucumbers, tomato, red onion, parsley, lemon juice and olive oil. But really—use what you love or leave out what you don’t. I used lime juice instead of lemon this time, and there’s truly no way to mess up this tiny chopped salad. Bonus: I always drink the citrusy EVOO at the bottom. Heaven.
For dessert I made my pavlova topped with fresh Rincon Tropics Farms passion fruit, strawberries, and fresh whipped cream. We decided that all of the textures in it are the perfect making for a last supper. Bury me in this pavlova.
Also, I learned about the Shlissel challah or key challah this year with the wonderful women of if you heard what i heard (an incredibly organization that tells the stories of holocaust survivors through their grandchildren) and the challah back girls from New York. The key shape of the challah is meant to bring prosperity for the first shabbat after passover. I love this tradition and plan to make one for all of the years ahead. This is mine below, SHABBAT SHALOM!!!
