
Traditional foods include potato latkes, applesauce and brisket. Spinning the dreidel (a four-sided top) for “Hanukkah gelt” (gold-wrapped chocolate coins) is another part of the celebration. Your host might appreciate gifts of chocolate, gourmet applesauce, candles, books or board games.
What do you serve at a Hanukkah meal?
Typically taking center stage at the Hanukkah meal are the latkes, greasy potato pancakes served with your choice of sour cream or applesauce. Unless you are my bubbe (grandmother), in which case you smother your latkes in sugar.
What is the best part of Hanukkah?
Yes, there's more than just latkes. Lighting the menorah and playing dreidel with your distant cousins is fun and all, but the best part of Hanukkah is the food. By that, we mostly mean eating so many latkes that you basically become a potato, and chasing it with some brisket, doughnuts, and Manischewitz.
What happens during a Hanukkah celebration?
If the celebration is called for late afternoon or evening, chances are that someone will be lighting the menorah. They’ll say blessings, light the candles, and sing some traditional melodies.
What is the traditional food of Chanukah?
Traditional Chanukah foods are often dairy (commemorating the cheese that led to a pivotal victory) or fried in oil (because of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days). Some classics are cheese or potato latkes (pancakes), commonly served with sour cream or applesauce, and donuts.
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What happens at a Hanukkah party?
Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shammash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods.
What are 5 traditional Hanukkah foods?
10 Best Traditional Hanukkah FoodsLatkes.Beef brisket.Roasted chicken.Kugel.Matzo ball soup.Rugelach.Sufganiyot (Jelly-Filled Doughnuts)Challah.More items...•
What food do you eat at Hanukkah?
Hanukkah FoodsBrisket. Brisket is enjoyed during many Jewish holidays besides Hanukkah, such as Rosh Hashanah and Passover. ... Latkes. Latkes, also known as potato pancakes, are made from shallow-fried shredded or mashed potatoes. ... Kugel. ... Sufganiyot. ... Hanukkah Gelt.
Do I bring a gift to Hanukkah?
Gift-giving is a relatively new tradition during Hanukkah, so when bringing gifts, don't go overboard. Books, jewelry, and food can be appropriate Hanukkah presents. Family gifts are always appreciated. You can create personalized puzzles with family portraits or pictures of the grandkids.
What do you eat on the first night of Hanukkah?
Traditional Fried Foods Fried potato pancakes, called latkes in Yiddish and levivot in Hebrew, are the most popular Hanukkah food. They are shredded potatoes mixed with onion, egg, flour and seasonings, then formed into small pancakes and fried in oil.
What do you drink on Hanukkah?
Our drink choice with this fan favorite dinner is a classic pairing, red wine. Red wines help bring out the rich juices in the meat and cut through some of the fat. Wine is also a very popular drink used by the Jewish people to commemorate occasions.
Is there a color associated with Hanukkah?
Today's Hanukkah decorations carry on the tradition of the holiday's early American popularity, in that they look just like Christmas decorations, but they're blue and white.
What is a traditional Hanukkah gift?
Traditionally, gifts were not a part of Hanukkah. Instead gelt -- a small amount of money or chocolate coins -- was given to children.
What do you wear to a Hanukkah party?
Dresses. Hanukkah is a celebration of light and luck, and there's no better way to feel free and fun than in a women's dress that shows off your personal style. If you're going to be with a more serious crowd, aim for modest dresses that you feel comfortable in, like flowing wrap dresses or long-sleeved maxi dresses.
How do you respectfully celebrate Hanukkah?
Here are eight Hanukkah traditions you can bring into your home: Tell the story of Hanukkah. ... Light the menorah. ... Give eight small gifts, one each night. ... Give out chocolate gelt. ... Play dreidel. ... Fry stuff! ... Have a party! ... Teach your kids about religious freedom.
What are 3 interesting facts about Hanukkah?
The holiday commemorates the triumph of a band of rebel Jews known as the Maccabees in reclaiming their temple from the Greek-Syrians.2 Hanukkah lasts for eight nights, to commemorate how long the holy light burned. ... 5 Hanukkah dishes are fried for a reason. ... 7 Hanukkah is not the most important Jewish holiday.More items...•
What day is Hanukkah dinner?
This year, Hanukkah will start on the evening of Sunday, November 28, 2021. It will end on the evening of Monday, December 6, 2021. Each year, Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev, which is the ninth month of the Jewish calendar.
What are some good treats to serve for Hanukkah?
Add a sweet note to your Hanukkah celebration with these pretty, homemade treats. These simple cookies are made with premade sugar cookie or shortbread to save you time during the festivities, and then cut out with your favorite cookie cutter shapes (we used the Star of David and a dreidel). Add in some hard candies, like blue Jolly Ranchers, and watch your stained-glass cookies take shape in the oven. Be sure to let the batch cool before serving, as the candy will be very hot.
What to use instead of baking potatoes for Hanukkah?
Mix it up this year by using sweet potatoes instead of baking potatoes for a new take on this Hanukkah must-have.
What holiday has apples on the table?
Who says Rosh Hashanah is the only holiday where apples appear on the table? This roasted chicken pairs with sweet potatoes and apples for a recipe ready to feed a crowd.
Who designed the menu for Hanukkah?
Get out your menorah and your cast-iron skillet. It's time for a Hanukkah celebration with a special menu designed by chef Todd Ginsberg of Atlanta Restuarant The General Muir. Serve the latkes and toppings family style for a fun, informal meal.
BA's Best Matzo Ball Soup
This recipe serves eight people generously (with two balls each) but could easily stretch to serve 16 smaller appetizer-sized portions.
Glazed Shallots with Chile and Thyme
These sweet and saucy shallots are your best answer to an effortless, plan-way-ahead side.
Adam and Maxine's Famous Latkes
Russets are ideal for this latke recipe. Their high starch content means you won't need flour to bind the pancakes.
Challah
Senior editor Julia Krame r’s mother, Jill Weinberg, shared her family’s challah recipe with us—it is truly revelatory. All we can hope is that our faithful version comes close. (For best results, bake weekly for several decades.) This recipe makes two loaves, but it can easily be halved.
Tangy Brisket With Fennel and Herbs
Alison Roman made a brisket worth looking forward to. No ketchup—no mushy carrots.
BA's Best Chocolate Macaroon Cake
This is a cake version of the chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons that are a Passover staple.
Slow-Roasted Salmon with Fennel, Citrus, and Chiles
Don’t bother trying to divide this fillet into tidy portions. Instead, use a spoon to break it into perfectly imperfect pieces.
What is the traditional Hanukkah menu?
Celebrating the miracle of the oil that lit the menorah in the ancient temple for eight nights instead of just one, a traditional Hanukkah menu includes a handful of fried foods. We've rounded up recipes for latkes (fried potato pancakes), sufganiot (fried donuts), and other favorites to help you put together a celebratory menu.
What is the recipe for a holiday doughnut?
Here is another recipe for holiday doughnuts from home cook Mel Levy. The batter in this recipe calls for yogurt, making these doughnuts especially tender. Once fried, roll the doughnuts in vanilla sugar and eat immediately.
How long to cook a one pan meal in the oven?
Sandy Witek, the Allrecipes member who shares this recipe writes: "This is a one-pan meal that's in the oven in 15 minutes. Rosemary, garlic, and oregano create a mouthwatering aroma. If using dried herbs in place of fresh, use 1/3 the amount. Potatoes are crispy like French fries."
How long does it take to cook applesauce in a slow cooker?
If you don't have the time for a slow cooker recipe, here's a quick and easy applesauce recipe that will be done in less than 30 minutes. The sauce is spiced with cinnamon and cloves. We recommend tasting your apples first and adjusting the added sugar amount accordingly.
What shapes are used for Hanukkah?
Make a batch and let your guests (kids and adults) roll out the dough and cut out their favorite Hanukkah shapes including menorah, dreidel, and Star of David. A sweet ending to a wonderful dinner.
Is Rachel's fried doughnut dairy free?
These fried doughnuts from Allrecipes member Rachel are "filled with sweet cheese or preserves" to fit either the dairy or dairy-free menu. Home cook Illysa calls these doughnuts excellent, adding that the recipe has become her family's new Hanukkah tradition.
What is the best way to cook kale?
In this recipe, kale is sauteed in olive oil with sherry vinegar, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic. Adjust the amount of pepper flakes depending on your heat preference. For more flavor, feel free to use vegetable or chicken broth in place of water.
What is the food that is served on Hanukkah?
A candle is lighted in the evening through Hanukkah as a blessing is recited. Traditional foods include potato latkes, applesauce and brisket.
When do you light candles on the menorah?
During Hanukkah, which begins Dec. 25 this year, you can expect candles on the menorah. A candle is lighted in the evening through Hanukkah as a blessing is recited.
What does Lane say about giving thanks?
Finally, Lane advises, “Have fun, eat lots, sing loud and give thanks for all your many blessings.”
Who is Susan Landon?
Susan Landon, a Mercer Island resident who frequently hosts events, offers some don’ts for Hanukkah guests:
What does Eshet Chayil mean?
In traditional homes, a husband may sing Eshet Chayil to his wife. Eshet Chayil is a poem from the book of proverbs extolling the virtues of a good wife and mother. 6.
What is the blessing over wine?
Now it’s time for Kiddush, the blessing over wine. This blessing gives thanks for the Sabbath, a day of rest, and recalls the importance and holiness of resting. Each adult will be given a glass of wine (children usually get grape juice, or a sip of their parents’ wine) and one person will sing the blessing. At the end, everyone may join in (if you don’t know the words, don’t worry about it). Some families stand for the blessing, and others sit–take a cue from your hosts. When the blessing is over, everyone will say Amen, and the wine is yours for the drinking.
What is the blessing of God for boys and girls?
For both boys and girls, the rest of the blessing is: May God bless you and guard you. May God show you favor and be gracious to you. May God show you kindness and grant you peace. Most parents give each child a kiss after they are blessed.
What to bring to a Shabbat meal?
Also, ask if you can bring something to the meal–a bottle of wine, challah, or a side dish.
What to do after candle lighting?
Prepare for a round of hugging and kissing. After candle lighting, everybody will probably sit down at the table. Some families sing Shalom Aleichem, a song that welcomes the Sabbath angels, before they say the blessing over the wine. 5.
What to do after Kiddush?
In some families, after Kiddush, everyone heads to the kitchen to wash their hands. It is customary to take off your rings for this–you can just leave them on your plate. While washing the hands, there’s a blessing to say–if you don’t know it, feel free to ask for help. Then dry your hands and head back to the table.
When does Shabbat start?
Shabbat technically begins at sundown, but many families begin their observance of Shabbat later if sundown is on the early side. When you’re invited, you’ll be told what time to arrive.
Why is Hanukkah celebrated?
Hanukkah’s tagline is The Festival of Light. That light comes from candles. Some say all the light is to help us deal with the darkness of the oncoming winter, some say it’s because the war (see below) delayed the celebration of the eight-day fall festival of Sukkot, but most agree that, true or not, Hanukkah celebrates two major miracles from an ancient time:
What is the food of Hanukkah?
(See: Tip #2, Miracle #2.) Typically taking center stage at the Hanukkah meal are the latkes, greasy potato pancakes served with your choice of sour cream or applesauce. Unless you are my bubbe (grandmother), in which case you smother your latkes in sugar. The other food-of-choice for Hanukkah celebrants is jelly doughnuts called sufganiyot. This is basically an Israeli custom adopted by the wisest of American Jews. Pop a Tums, wear loose-fitting clothes and prepare for grease stains.
How many candles are lit on Chanukah?
All Jewish holidays start the night before. There are eight days of Chanukah, so that’s eight, count ‘em, eight “nights before.” Each new day, we add another candle. However, each candle is lit by a single “helper candle.” So there are actually 9 candle-holders in total. On the first night, TWO candles are lit: 1 helper candle, the shah-Mahsh, and 1 candle for the first day. Which starts at night.
What is the name of the dish that is served on Hanukkah?
Latke — Yiddish word for potato pancake fried and served on Hanukkah with sour cream or applesauce. First name of endearing immigrant character from the 70s/80s TV show, Taxi. Glorified hashbrowns.
How many blessings are there in the candlelight ritual?
The ritual of candle-lighting is accompanied every night by two blessings and on the first night, it’s accompanied by three. No one expects you to know these blessings, or to know Hebrew. Just be engaged. All we’re doing is thanking the universe for our blessings. Then we move on to latkes.
What is the name of the candelabra that was burning in the ancient Temple as the Eternal Light?
Menorah — The candelabra that was burning in the ancient Temple as the Eternal Light.
Is Hanukkah a minor holiday?
Don’t overplay the day. Hanukkah is a super minor holiday. You may never have heard of Sukkot or Shavuot, but Hanukkah is basically like Groundhog’s Day compared to them. Everyone knows about it, everyone knows the ritual that goes with it, Hallmark even gets to make a few shekels selling Hanukkah cards and blue and white wrapping paper, but no one’s going to church over it. And when I say church, I mean synagogue, or temple, or shul (rhymes with school). These are appropriate names for the place where Jews worship and bar mitzvahs happen. Not “Jewish church.” Never “Jewish church.”
