hanukkah Archives - Taste With The Eyes

Lavish Latkes

💙 Lavish Latkes 💙

Two Ways:
Caviar, Crème Fraîche, Chives
Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraîche, Grated Radish

My deli-style Reuben Latkes were a big hit earlier in the week, but for the grand finale, we’re serving Lavish Latkes. Crème fraîche has a luxurious, velvety texture that balances the crispy fried savory latkes with a smooth and rich mouthfeel and a mild tangy flavor. Generous individual servings of caviar and smoked salmon add to the extravagance. Chives and grated radish add color, texture, and a tasteful finishing flourish.

Hanukkah Table

The last night of Hanukkah is special because all eight candles on the menorah are lit, creating a beautiful display of light. It is a time for reflection on the significance of the holiday, the importance of religious freedom, and the enduring spirit of hope and resilience. 💙

Lavish Latkes

Note: Caviar harvested from sturgeon is not kosher according to Jewish dietary law, fish must have scales and fins to be considered so. Sturgeon do not have scales. Whitefish, bowfin, and salmon roe, as well as vegan caviar, are excellent kosher alternatives to sturgeon caviar.

Lavish Latkes Recipe

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Reuben Latkes

🥔 🧅 Reuben Latkes 🧅 🥔

Potato Latkes, Corned Beef
Swiss Cheese, Sauerkraut with Caraway, Russian Dressing

Happy Hanukkah! 🕎

As far as symbolic foods go, potatoes fried in oil are pretty much everyone’s favorite. A jug of olive oil, which held enough oil to last for one day, burned for eight when the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated. So… we eat foods fried in olive oil to commemorate that ancient miracle. 🌟

This year my latkes are savory and loaded! First, I season them from the inside out, by adding everything-bagel-seasoning, sea salt & fresh ground pepper, and plenty chopped chives to the potato batter. The bagel seasoning contains poppy seeds, black & white sesame seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and flaked sea salt. No shortage of flavor there.

Then I’m topping those beautiful fried potato latkes with classic Reuben Sandwich ingredients – Swiss Cheese, Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, and Russian Dressing. The caraway seeds in the sauerkraut mimic the distinct flavor in our favorite Jewish rye bread.

Of course, we all love ❤️ plain applesauce and sour cream as traditional accompaniments but for 2023, I’m treating my guests to a flavor extravaganza, and serving Reuben-Style Latkes!

Reuben Latkes Recipe

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Lokshen Kugel (baked noodle pudding)

Lokshen Kugel
(baked noodle pudding)

🕎 🕎 🕎 🕎 🕎

Happy Hanukkah! We celebrated the first night of Hanukkah this year with a delicious family meal.

Fortunately, my brother Bill was passing through town this holiday, on his way back to The Philippines. Along with sister Paula and chef/brother-in-law Ron, we cooked up a fabulous celebratory meal. Kudos to Paula and Ron for preparing the best latkes, ever. And kudos to Bill for assembling the most delicious kugel.

Sending our family’s warmest wishes to you at Hanukkah. May you be blessed with joy, good health, good food, and peace.

Noodle Kugel Recipe

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Turkey Matzo Ball Soup

Turkey Soup with Poultry-Seasoned Matzo Balls
Egg Noodles, Peas, Carrots, Shredded Turkey

A blend of thyme, sage, black pepper, marjoram, rosemary and nutmeg – this traditional Thanksgiving seasoning adds a unique savory flavor to my Hanukkah matzoh balls.

When Hanukkah falls right after Thanksgiving on the calendar, a special opportunity arises. Here, we are merging the best flavors and recipes of both holidays…With this seasoning, the matzoh balls have a taste reminiscent of turkey!

Turkey Soup with Poultry-Seasoned Matzo Balls Recipe

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Latkes with Farmer Cheese

Latkes with Farmer Cheese, Two Ways

Sweet with Pomegranate Arils
and
Savory with Fresh Herbs

Happy Hanukkah!

A jug of olive oil, which held enough oil to last for one day, burned for eight when the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was rededicated. So we eat foods fried in olive oil to commemorate that ancient miracle. As far as symbolic foods go, potatoes fried in oil are pretty much everyone’s favorite.

This year I’m serving my latkes two ways, sweet and savory, both topped with farmer cheese. My favorite, Lifeway Farmer Cheese, is a cultured soft cheese made from an old world recipe with a distinctive tangy flavor, and it’s packed with probiotics to boot. You might say farmer cheese and latkes are a match made in heaven…

Latkes with Farmer Cheese