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Taste of Memories is a unique initiative that works to commemorate Israeli victims of terror and fallen Israel Defense Forces soldiers, through cooking their favorite recipes and telling the stories of their lives.

Please join us to help keep their memory alive.

Keshet Casarotti Chalfaz”l

Keshet grew up in Kibbutz Samar in the southern Arava. A nature-loving child, he dreamt of becoming a pirate, going all the way from home to the dining room on his hands. Keshet loved parties, festivals, and exploring the world. True to his name, he was like a rainbow connecting with people of all colors and backgrounds. Keshet was tragically killed in a terrorist attack at a party in Raima on October 7, 2023, at the age of 21. He left behind grieving parents and two sisters. Pasta Bolognese was his favorite dish.

Whenever he returned from an annual trip or was absent from home, his mom would welcome him with a large plate of Pasta Bolognese. Even last summer, when he returned from a festival tour in Europe, his mom waited for him with his pasta dish.

Pasta Bolognese

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, diced
  • Fresh parsley
  • Salt, pepper, sugar
  • 1 carrot, coarsely grated
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • Olive oil
  • 0.5 kg ground beef
  • Pack of pasta
  • 2 cans of crushed tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a pot over low heat and sauté the diced onion.
  2. Add garlic and grated carrot, stir, and let the vegetables caramelize a bit.
  3. Set the vegetables aside in the pot and spread the ground beef in the pan. After light browning, use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes, a bit of sugar, season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and chopped parsley or coriander.
  5. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
  6. Just before draining, add a bit of cooking water to the sauce to open it up.
  7. Mix the sauce and add it to the drained pasta.


Yishai Fitusiz”l

Yishai was a special child, with fair hair and blue eyes, always wearing a big smile on his face. He knew how to love every person as they were, and it was always important to him that his surroundings were always united and happy. Yishai was born in Gush Katif almost 21 years ago and moved from his home as a child. He fought until the last bullet, close to the home he loved so much. Yishai served in Golani’s 13th Battalion. He fell in battle in Nachal Oz on the Black Saturday, October 7, 2023. At the age of 21, he left behind his parents, 2 sisters, and 3 brothers.

Yishai used to make a lot of pizza for his family. The taste of the pizza is associated with his memory.

Pizza

Ingredients

  • 1 kg flour
  • 2 tablespoons yeast
  • Olive oil
  • Dried basil
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • Garlic
  • 16 oz can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • Grated mozzarella
  • 3.5 cups lukewarm water
  • 1/2 cup oil

Instructions

Dough preparation:

    1. In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together, then add the water and start kneading.
    2. After a few minutes, add the oil.
    3. After 10 seconds of kneading, set aside to rise and prepare the sauce.

Sauce preparation:

    1. Mix crushed tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt and sugar together in a saucepan.
    2. Heat over medium temperature for approximately 15-20 minutes.

Pizza preparation:

    1. Roll out the dough into a circular shape.
    2. Spread the desired amount of sauce, sprinkle grated yellow cheese, and add toppings of your choice.
    3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake for 15-20 minutes.


Yael Leibushorz”l

Yael loved nature very much, and before her military service, she did a year of service in the Society for the Protection of Nature in Mitzpe Ramon. She was loved by everyone for her open heart, maturity, ego-free conduct, and genuine kindness. Yael served as a dry reconnaissance collector in the 414th Border Defense Battalion. Yael loved to embroider, and in the last year, she embroidered belts for her friends. If you see a soldier with a belt adorned with butterflies or flowers, you’ll know that they are a friend of Yael’s. Yael was killed on October 7, 2023, in the battle at the Nechal Ouz outpost. She was 20 years old at the time of her death.

When she stayed for Shabbat the last time, she brought this cake to the base. Her friends loved the cake so much and asked for the recipe – and now everyone can know and taste the cake that Yael loved.

Maple Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/4 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 and 1/4 cups sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 3/4 cup oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 vanilla sugar

Instructions

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and pour into two English cake pans. Optionally, sprinkle chopped walnuts on top.
  2. In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the cakes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees in advance. Bake the cakes for about 35 minutes.
  4. When the cakes come out of the oven, immediately pour maple syrup over them.


Adi Leonz”l

Adi was a special child, radiating light and love, and he appreciated everyone from the oldest to the youngest. His smile could be seen from afar, and he always knew how to encourage everyone, improve the mood, and boost morale. His great love was music, and whenever he had the chance, he composed tracks in his home studio, recorded at every opportunity, and did it as best as possible. Adi served in the Tzabar Battalion of the Givati Brigade, and after an injury, he insisted on returning to combat duty. Adi fell with his comrades in the Nachal Oz Special Forces on October 31, 2023, at the age of 21. He left behind his parents and two sisters. Adi never liked cakes at all, except for this one. That’s why it’s called “Adi’s Cake.”

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 bag of baking powder
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 and 1/2 cup sweet cream (1 cup for the cake, 1/2 cup for coating )
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1 package dark chocolate

Instructions

Instructions for the cake:

    1. Mix all the ingredients until you have a uniform dough.
    2. Transfer to a greased mold and bake for 50 minutes at 375 degrees or until a dry toothpick comes out.

For the coating:

    1. In a small bowl, break the dark chocolate into cubes.
    2. Add half a cup of sweet cream and melt in the microwave for a minute.
    3. Stir until smooth and pour over the cake.


Sahar Saudyanz”l

Sahar loved life, and life loved her back. Her constant smile, contagious laughter, and her value of human connection were distinctive. Sahar was an instructional officer in Battalion 947 of the Air Defense Array. She intercepted dozens of missiles, defending the country, and tragically fell victim to enemy fire on Black Saturday, October 7, 2023. She was 21 years old at the time of her death, leaving behind her parents, three brothers, and a sister.

Sahar loved this dish; it’s sweet and easy to make. She used to prepare it on weekends when she returned home from the army, even though her time at home was short, and the tasks were numerous.

Roselach Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1/3 cup olive oil (not recommended to substitute with any other oil)
  • 1 tablespoon dry yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Nutella or any other spread for filling
  • Optional: add Kinder fingers for filling.

Instructions

  1. In a mixer with a dough hook, mix all the ingredients together for about 7 seconds.
  2. Cover the dough until it doubles in size (approximately 1.5 hours).
  3. Divide the dough into 3 equal parts.
  4. Roll out each part on a floured surface.
  5. Spread the desired filling, roll, cut into small pieces, and place in a preheated oven at 400 degrees (normal baking) for exactly 8 minutes.
  6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar.