Food

No Shakshuka For You, Donald!

Family Dinner: Chef Segev Moshe (center) stands at the table with (clockwise from left) President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, the Netanyahu’s son Yair, Sara Netanyahu and the prime minister. Image by Courtesy of Haaretz

By Liza Schoenfein May 23, 2017

When the American First Family dined at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence on Monday night, Israeli celebrity chef Segev Moshe made sure the menu would appeal to President Donald Trump’s all-American tastes.

Among the safely familiar offerings were hamburger sliders, steak with barbecue sauce and molten chocolate cake (sprinkled with edible gold-leaf). Israeli food might be trending in the United States, but the Israelis decided to give Trump what they knew he’d enjoy. (In Riyadh, the President was fed steak and ketchup, while also being offered a choice of local dishes.)

Meeting of minds? For dessert the two leaders could gaze at their own profiles, which were fused as the backdrop for pralines shaped like chess pieces. Image by Courtesy of Haaretz

“It was important to the Netanyahus that the president feel at home,” Moshe said, according to a report in Haaretz.

The slider course was called “A Taste of America” on the printed menu. It was followed by a course called “A Path To Peace,” which consisted of salmon with a miso-caramel glaze. Next was “Lifting the World,” a choice of fish or fillet of beef with barbecue sauce.

In addition to the chocolate cake, dessert included apple pie as well as baklava and a rose-scented rice pudding called malabi — finally, a touch of local flavor.

Liza Schoenfein is food editor of the Forward. Contact her at [email protected] or on Twitter, @LifeDeathDinner

Liza Schoenfein is a former food editor of the Forward and author of the blog Life, Death & Dinner. Follow her on Instagram @LifeDeathDinner.

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