Pretty Penny: Israel: The land of Olives and Falafel

My trip to Israel was truly amazing, and so was the food! I took as many pictures as I could of the many delectable meals I got to eat. Israeli food is really special. Everything is fresh, and a few main characters of this cuisine include eggplant, hummus, olives, pita, and of course, lots of cheese! My favorite meal is breakfast, where it is normal to eat a variety of salads, cheeses, and fish along with your regular bowl of cereal. Shawarma and falafel are also staples of this comforting cuisine, and you can find a falafel stand on every corner in any city center. You have the option of eating your falafel or shawarma in pita bread or laffah bread (similar to naan bread), as well as many salads (incuding the classic Israeli salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions) to use as toppings. Of course, we can't forget about the hummus and tehina, must have additions to the perfect falafel.

Ben's family treated us to an amazing meal "al aish" literally meaning "on fire" where we were offered up to 20 different salads and spreads, along with delicious barbecued meats. I had never seen so much food in my life! Did I mention everything is served with "chips"? (french fries). Can you say heaven?

The shuk (open market) is a foodie's dream. It boasts colorful fruit piled high, and every spice you could imagine to cook with, sitting out in burlap sacks just waiting for you to buy some. The coffee is out of this world, and an iced coffee is called cold coffee, while an iced coffee means a blended drink, much like a frappuchino. Here are a few pictures from this incredible trip.