I hear the debate around the whole Nine Days dinner thing. It’s a time of mourning, yet we turn it into an entire season of menus, themed suppers and getting together with friends and family. Then I heard a different take in a shiur I was listening to -- that if the food is bringing people together, maybe that’s not missing the point at all. During a time when we’re striving for more achdus, gathering around one table may be exactly the point. And of course, there’s nothing that does that better than an Israeli-inspired meal!

(And no, I still dont think the Nine Days should an excuse for partying in restaurants and seeing how closely we can recreate everything we’re supposed to be stepping away from. So. That being said…)

Here's what my family will be eating this Monday:

Chili Bean Shakshuka in the Betty

I was experimenting with filling dinners that would work for the Nine Days, so I sent Meta AI some pictures of my pantry, told it what I had in my freezer, and this is what it spit out. The dish got approvals all around.

Crispy Chickpea Macro Salad by Rorie Weisberg

I make a salad using Rorie’s recipe for the roasted chickpeas, and add cucumbers, avocado, and feta with a techina-based dressing. SO simple and SO good.

Fluffy Laffa by Mirel Freylich

Because there's nothing like fresh laffa! (Ok, let's be honest, I'll probably buy this.)

Roasted Cauliflower over Hummus

I use the hummus recipe from Vera Newman's cookbook, Marblespoon At Home. It is THE best hummus recipe you will find. Do not leave out the fresh lime juice!

Limonana by Joshua Korn and Scott Gilden

And finishing off with a Limonanaaa. Because it's my birthday, and we want something festive that's still Nine Days-appropriate.