Hanukkah is here, and for those who celebrate, its happening this SUNDAY, and continuing for eight crazy days!
Every year begs the question, “What do I serve with Latkes? Don’t get me wrong. latkes, those fried in oil potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream are delicious on their own, but if you’re at a loss for something to serve the in-laws, try one of these recipes. They are sure to delight!
Lentil Soup
- 2 tablespoons olive or other veggie oil (feel free to use less, or even just non-stick cooking spray)
- 1 medium onion or 2 shallots, peeled and diced
- 3-4 ribs celery, washed well and cut in dime-sized slices
- 1-10 cloves garlic, smashed, peeled and chopped
- 4 medium or 3 large carrots, washed, peeled (unless they’re organic or from the farmers market) and cut in small dice (1 bag of baby carrots cut up in thirds or quarters would work too)
- 1 1/4 cups dried brown lentils (sold in plastic bags under the canned beans in your grocery store or in bulk in health food stores)
- 11 cups water and/or vegetable broth (if you use water, you’ll want to add more salt at the end of cooking)
- 1 small can tomato paste
- 1 branch fresh rosemary, leaves torn off and finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried herb (rosemary, basil, oregano, etc.)
- 1 10-ounce bag fresh spinach, washed, if needed, and chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Peanut Butter and Gelt Cookies
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) room-temperature butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar, plus extra to roll dough balls in
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- About 35 gelt pieces
And for a new take on an old recipe, try Zucchini Latkes
6 large Russet potatoes or 12 regular-sized yellow potatoes
4 medium zucchinis
2 onions, grated
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup flour or matzo meal
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dried parsley
oil, for frying
And if you don’t want to cook at all- Just visit the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Bellevue on Sunday for “Love, Light, Peace and Latkes”
