Is It Meat or Not?

May 29, 2013

But what about chicken? Is it meat or isn’t it? Do the same prohibitions apply? As it turns out, fowl has not always been considered meat according to Jewish law. The sages have actually discussed the issue in depth, with Rabbi Akiva declaring that chicken is indeed meat. Other rabbis of the same period, however, disagreed, and it wasn’t until the 15th century that the prohibition against eating birds with dairy was codified.

Today, chicken is the most widely-eaten meat in Israel, especially at barbecues. Nearly every Israeli cook-out features chicken in some form. Try the following recipes for wings with a delicious Middle Eastern flair.

Grilled Chicken Wings

Mix all ingredients and soak the wings in the marinade for at least 4 hours. Skewer (to make turning on the grill easier) and grill over a hot charcoal grill or under the broiler in an oven set to 220°C (425°F).

Ingredients for 25 wings, 4–6 servings

Chicken Wings in Za’atar
½ cup olive oil
3 tbsp. za’atar (available at Middle Eastern markets)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chicken Wings in Sumac
½ cup olive oil
3 tbsp. sumac
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chicken Wings in Baharat
2 tbsp. ground allspice
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cardamom
½ tsp. cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
½ cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Barbecue Flavored Chicken Wings
½ cup sunflower or corn oil
2 tbsp. paprika
1 ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
5 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Source: Rev. Cheryl Hauer, International Development Director

Source: Recipes and photo from "The Book of New Israeli Food" by Janna Gur