Friday, April 23, 2010

DOCTOR Shakshuka, to you!



















Shakshuka is a dish originally from Tripoli but wildly popular in Israel. It's basically a thick, spicy, tomato, garlic, onion and red bell pepper sauce that's whacked into a small sauté pan over an extremely hot grill. The sauce sizzles and bubbles immediately, slightly burning the garlic. At this point, the ubiquitous egg is cracked into the pan, given a cursory stir, and served in the pan with a platter of warm pita. No plates, no utensils, no condiments, the ultimate "one pot" dish.

This is a photo of "Dr. Shakshuka's" in Jaffe, an old port city a stone's throw south of Tel Aviv. Dr. Shakshuka's is rumored to serve THE best shakshuka anywhere, hands down. Dark, moody, cave-like, the café is through those doors ahead and spans the courtyard to the tiny building behind me which houses the restrooms (with the most unbelievably beautiful stone sinks I have ever seen). Ancient, slightly decrepit, timeless, all the plumbing and electrical hanging out, truck loads of atmosphere... diners, (including us) eschewed the café and opted for the expansive al fresco dining under the canvas canopy.

My dearest friend, Sigal, of Viola's Cupcakes on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv is walking towards me having successfully placed our order. I actually caught a glimpse of the good Doctor, himself, holding court. He's a balding, jolly sort of man who, from the looks of his expansive girth, CLEARLY loves his work.


No comments: