Milk Street Television Season 5 Episode 5 Israel New and Old

Christopher Kimball's Milk Street is a cooking show that seeks to bring new flavors and ingredients from all over the world to traditional American recipes. In Season 2 episode 5, titled "Israel New and Old," Christopher Kimball and his team head to Tel Aviv, Israel to discover the vibrant food culture of this ancient city.

The episode begins with a visit to the Shuk Ha'Carmel, the city's largest market. Here, Kimball meets local chef Oren Hassan, who introduces him to some of Israel's most beloved ingredients, including za'atar, the Middle Eastern spice blend made with thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds, and tahini, the creamy sesame paste that is a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine. Kimball is struck by the incredible variety of fresh produce at the market, from bright red pomegranates to fragrant herbs like mint and parsley.

Next up, Kimball and his team head to a local restaurant to learn how to make shakshuka, the beloved Israeli dish of eggs poached in tomato sauce. Chef Hassan shows them how to create the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors in the sauce, then cracks in some eggs to cook until the yolks are runny and delicious. Kimball is impressed by the simplicity of the dish, but also by its incredible depth of flavor.

After tasting some incredible pastries and snacks at a bakery, Kimball heads to the port city of Jaffa, just south of Tel Aviv. Here, he meets with local chef Kamel Hashlamon, who introduces him to the flavors of Old Jaffa, the ancient Arab port that has been a crossroads of cultures for millennia. Hashlamon shows Kimball how to make makluba, a traditional Palestinian dish of rice, vegetables, and meat that is inverted before serving to create a stunning presentation. Kimball is fascinated by the way this dish reflects the multicultural history of Jaffa, with flavors from the Arab world, the Mediterranean, and beyond all coming together in one delicious package.

The episode concludes back in Tel Aviv, where Kimball meets with Israeli chef Eyal Shani to learn about the country's vibrant street food scene. Shani introduces him to sabich, a pita sandwich filled with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, and an array of tangy, spicy, and sweet toppings. Kimball is blown away by the bold flavors and textures of this street food staple, and amazed by how such simple ingredients can be transformed into something so delicious.

Throughout the episode, Kimball and his team take in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Tel Aviv and Jaffa, discovering a vibrant food culture that combines ancient traditions with modern innovation. From the bustling markets to the seaside cafes, the episode showcases the incredible diversity of Israeli cuisine, and the ways in which its rich history and cultural heritage are reflected in every bite.