Michael Solomonov

Chef Michael Solomonov was born in Israel and grew up in Pittsburgh. He and Steven Cook are the co-owners of CookNSolo Restaurants, home to some of Philadelphia's most distinctive culinary concepts, including Zahav, Federal Donuts, Abe Fisher, Dizengoff, Rooster Soup Co., and Goldie. They are a combined four-time James Beard Award Winners, including the 2016 "Best International Cookbook" and "Book of the Year" awards for their first cookbook, Zahav, and a 2011 "Best Chef Mid-Atlantic" win for Solomonov and who in May, was named the 2017 JBF's "Outstanding Chef".

Israeli Recipes

Poppy Seed Cake with Blueberries and Labneh

Michael Solomonov

The earthy fruitiness of poppy seeds makes them shine in recipes both sweet and savory.

Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Jerusalem Hummus

Michael Solomonov

Jerusalem hummus is garnished with hot, spiced ground beef, often with the addition of pine nuts.

Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Hummus Techina

Michael Solomonov

The secret to great Israeli-style hummus is an obscene amount of techina (tahini).

Shavuot

Turkish Coffee Ice Cream

Michael Solomonov

For me, the best ice cream is coffee ice cream – a perfect balance of bitter and sweet.

Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Chocolate Babka

Michael Solomonov

This babka is so easy, baking it almost feels like cheating. I have a hard time not eating it as it comes out of the oven.