You don’t need to turn to a tub of powder to secure your daily amount of protein. This macronutrient is vital to keep you energized and for cell growth and repair, but, for most people, it’s accessible through everyday foods like meat, eggs, pulses and dairy. We’ve rounded up the 10 best high-protein Jewish recipes on The Nosher, from chicken noodle soup with real egg noodles to Russian meatballs.
Chicken Noodle Soup
1. Golden Chicken Broth With Real Egg Noodles
Amp up the naturally protein-rich Jewish penicillin with crepe-like egg noodles. These delicate, gluten-free noodles are perfect for Passover, too.
2. Molly Yeh’s Chicken and Stars Soup
Chicken noodle soup made whimsical with cut-out noodle stars a la Cambell’s chicken and stars soup. Bowl food at its best.
Hummus
1. The Easiest Weeknight Hummus and Chicken
Doubling up the protein again, this time combining quick homemade hummus (courtesy of trusty pantry staple, canned chickpeas) with store-bought rotisserie chicken, made over with a shake of shawarma spice mix.
2. Loaded Hummus
For the veggies among you (or those who don’t have a rotisserie chicken to hand), this Israeli-style hummus recipe turns a dip into a well-balanced meal with the addition of lemony chickpeas, sumac-marinated feta, hot sauce and chopped salad.
3. Michael Solomonov’s Hummus
If you’re serious about your hummus, you’ll know nothing beats dried chickpeas for the creamiest, most authentic result. Tons of garlicky tahini is the secret to keeping this hummus super smooth.
Meatballs
1. Iraqi Apricot Meatballs
Iraqis have been feasting on versions of these meatballs for 2,000 years, and it’s easy to see why: They’re tender, rich and the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
2. Tefteli (Russian Chicken Meatballs)
These generous chicken meatballs are bound with rice, not breadcrumbs, and lean on golden, jammy, caramelized onions for flavor. You’ll want to double the recipe and store a batch in your freezer for a rainy day.
Quiche
1. Zucchini, Potato and Manchego Pashtida
This endlessly adaptable pashtida (Israeli-style quiche) recipe is ultra-luxurious, with a mix of three cheeses and a generous splash of heavy cream. Sure to be the star of any lunch spread.
2. Jibn (Syrian Quiche)
Think of this baked egg dish as a crustless quiche — with only five ingredients, it’s far more than the sum of its parts. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead, freeze and adapt.
3. Lower East Side Breakfast Tart
This beautiful tart inspired by brunch at New York’s iconic Russ & Daughters is surprisingly full of protein: packed with smoked salmon, cream cheese and eggs.
