Hanukah Celebration- Air Fryer Latke Recipe

          🎵Oh Hanukah oh Hanukah come light the menorah ! 🎵

                      

Tonight is the first night of an 8 day celebration for the Jewish holiday Chanukah/Hanukah. Did you ever wonder why Hanukkah falls on different dates each year? 

"Whip Up Some Fun: Festive Frozen Whipped Cream Toppers for Hot Chocolate"

A steaming mug of hot chocolate is the perfect cold weather treat, and adding frozen whipped cream toppers is fun, festive, and delicious. Perfect for holiday entertaining. 

The frozen whipped cream slowly melts into the warm cocoa, creating a creamy swirl that’s delicious and visually delightful. 

Peter, Paul, and Mary's Tribute to Hanukkah

Do you remember Peter, Paul, and Mary? 

They were a very popular singing group who recorded and performed folk songs in the 1960's such as, If I had a Hammer, Blowing in the Wind, Lemon Tree, Where Have all the Flowers Gone, etc.  In this Youtube they perform If I had a hammer (1960's)

What you might not remember is their amazing song, Light One Candle from the 1980's. 

In My Kitchen -December

December we will be looking into my  kitchen in my Florida condo. I'm joining Sherry's IN MY KITCHEN where anyone can share!

I've bought a box of dripless Hanukkah candles for the upcoming holiday. 

Hanukkah

Chanukah/Hanukkah began on Sunday evening and will last for 8 days! Each night we light the Chanukah candles on a special candelabras called a "Chanukiah" or a "Menorah" to commemorate the miracle that took place many years ago in the temple.  

As we light each candle each night, we are reminded to bring light, peace, and love into our homes, hearts, and into the world. 

What am I cooking? : 

I customarily make potato latkes for the holiday. 

I bought a few jars of organic applesauce at Trader Joe's which we usually use for a topping, but I have not attempted to make the latkes yet since I want them to be oil-free, egg-free and totally vegan. I wasn't sure how to attempt it. So, 

I looked online and found a recipe on a blog called Plants Rule but haven't tried it yet. I'll update when I try make them. 

Meanwhile, he is a link to the recipe : Latkes (oil-free and vegan)

What are we doing for the holiday? 

Since we are snowbirds in Florida, we are not near family. Friday night we are having a pot luck dinner with our Florida friends to celebrate the holiday together. 

There are 6 couples. Each couple will bring his/her Chanukiah and we will all light the candles and sing the prayers together. It should be quite a site with 6 Chanukiah's burning bright. 

Do you remember the singing group, Peter, Paul, and Mary? 

They wrote a song called, "Don't Let The Light Go Out" that is a beautiful Hanukkah song about freedom! It is very inspiring! I found it on Youtube. 

Wishing those who celebrate Chanukah a happy holiday! 

Notes: 

The miracle of Chanukah is that the oil that was needed to light the temple was only enough to last for 1 day and it lasted for a full 8 days keeping the temple well lit! It is a custom to make fried foods using oil on this holiday. 

Since I try not to use oil, I want my latkes to be untraditionally oil-free....

Hanukkah/Chanukah is a Hebrew with a multiple English spellings.. I use them all !!

I don't know why but my blog is not showing up in the feeds again. I wrote to blogger and hope they can fix it again! 

What's IN MY KITCHEN for December?

It's December and it's time to take a peek INTO MY KITCHEN and see what I'm up to.

I have a new air-fryer!! Why? I am sad to share that my previous beautiful (expensive) Ninja air-fryer with fold up features broke when accidentally dropped. The Inside glass tubes cracked, fell, and were hanging. I had to debate whether to re-invest in a new one or do without.  10 minutes later, I was ordering the same air-fryer that I had before on Cyber Monday sales! So now I have a new air-fryer. 

I love falafel but don't love to fry! I found these absolutely delicious falafel balls in the freezer section of a near-by store in Florida. It is made by a company called, "Chef Tzali." I suspect it might be easiest to find in stores that carry kosher items such as the Shop-rite in Mercer Mall in NJ. They are gluten-free and vegan which is PERFECT for me. In addition, 3 balls are only 70 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. I microwave 3 of them for 1 minute and they taste great!! 

My brother-in-law made this Hanukkah Menora for Florida using mini beach chairs, sand, and a Chanukah plate

The first night of Hanukah is December 18 this year. I'm starting to get out the Chanukah decorations.

This is a lovely glass tray with a beautiful message- It's uplifting and represents the essence of the Chanukah holiday.

I found this platter at Home-Goods this year.  

I'll use it to serve latkes (potato pancakes). They had 4 of them when I purchased but I went back the next day to get another one for a gift- all gone!!

I made my mother-in-laws Egyptian Bamia (baby okra) (recipe link)  We usually eat it with rice. I use frozen baby okra.

My sister-in-law made a beautiful salad for Thanksgiving. It contained arugula, pear, blueberries, and sliced nuts and vegan feta cheese. 

Sharing this post at Sherry's In My Kitchen linky where anyone can share by following simple directions at the beginning of every month. 

My Notes: 

1. I've seen the word Hanukkah/Chanukah spelled in multiple ways. I've used both ways in this post. I like using the CH which is more authentic to the Hebrew pronunciation with a guttural CH sound not like in channel-

2. Did I like the vegan feta? Didn't taste like the real thing to me. 

3. I haven't opened my air-fryer yet. Still deciding whether I need it- because it takes up so much room on my counter and my kitchen in Florida is small. However, I do love using it.

It's Hanukkah! Latkes or Donuts?

Latkes or donuts for Hanukkah? We light candles and eat foods made with oil, usually fried foods, for Hanukkah. Why? Hanukkah is the commemoration of a miracle that happened many years ago. 

Celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas in Florida

Celebrating Hanukkah At The Beach In Florida

My Easy Potato Latkes Hack

Is it possible to get the homemade taste of grated potato latkes without having to peel and grate the potatoes? It kind of sounds like an oxymoron, but it can be done. This simple hack that I am sharing cuts the time in half, really works, and you don't have to peel or grate potatoes.

Happy Hanukkah and Blender Latke Recipe

It' s Hanukkah - Let Your Light Shine Bright

See my traditional family Chanukah latke recipe that my mother used to make in the blender! Quick easy and delicious.

Easy Hanukkah Latke Recipe

If you are reading this on your phone, you will need to click the gray title to go to my blog to watch the video.

Tradition is eating potato latkes on Hanukkah. 

Here is an easy, tasty traditional latke recipe just in time for the holiday. 

I added a little grated carrot to the potatoes to give it a more golden color. 

Why we eat Latkes on Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday also known as the Festival of Lights.

The holiday is in remembrance of the victory of the ancient Israelites against the oppression of the Syrians and the restoration of the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

The miracle of Hanukkah is that although the Israelites had only enough oil to light the Menorah (candelabra)  in the Temple for to last for one day,  the little vial of oil burned bright in the Holy Temple and lasted for eight full days.

Thus on Hanukkah, we light the Hanukkah Menorah ( also called a Hanukiya)) every night for eight nights and eat foods that are made with oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil in the Temple. We start with one candle and the shamash ( the candle to light with) and add a candle each night until we reach 8 candles plus the shamash which is always a taller candle holder,

Eastern European Jews traditionally eat potato latkes fried in oil for the holiday. 

Sephardic Jews from Middle Eastern countries and Spain eat a type fried dough or doughnuts.

Today in America, Hanukkah is often celebrated by the eating  latkes and doughnuts, singing of songs, playing "driedel", and lighting the Menorah each night. 

Since the oil in the Holy Temple in ancient Jerusalem lasted for 8 nights, we light candles ( and give gifts after we light the candles)  for 8 nights!

Children also get "gelt" ( money ) or chocolate (gelt) coins to eat.

Hanukkah falls each year according to the Jewish Calendar ( which is different on the American Calendar each year. 

Hanukkah Song

Here is a traditional Hanukkah song that I found on You Tube. It's fun and whimsical. Press the arrow to listen to the festive traditional song. You cannot open it from your phone- must click over to my actual url blog page at www.glutenfreematters.com 

Hanukkah Recipe: Latkes
There are as many Hanukkah recipes for latkes as there are cooks. Their is no steadfast recipe.
My favorite recipe is baked not fried but I am sharing my cousin Harriet's latkes are fried, traditional and easy! I'm sharing her recipe plus some links for my other " less traditional" variety of latkes.

My Cousin Harriet's Traditional Hanukkah Latkes 
My cousin Harriet is an amazing cook who makes all of the traditional Jewish holiday foods. 

This is her blender latke recipe.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time : 5 minutes for each batch of 4
Materials Needed: Blender and skillet

6-7 white all purpose potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 large onion, peeled and quartered
1 large egg
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs (gluten free)
salt and pepper to taste
optional: 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 cup of oil

Directions: 
Using a blender, add the egg, onion, and a half of the potatoes. Begin blending and add remainder of potato, breadcrumbs, and seasoning to form the batter. Heat oil in a large skillet. Drop tablespoon mounds of batter into the skillet and fry until crispy. Serve topped with applesauce or sour cream!

Here is my recipe for baked latkes

• My favorite Baked Latkes ( Best Ever) 
• Weight Watchers style latkes ( uses grated broccoli slaw) 
• Homemade applesauce ( traditional topping for latkes) 

Recipe for Hanukkah Recipe: Easy Doughnuts ( Baked and gluten free) 

I know it's the tradition to fry, but these are so much healthier and they do contain oil!

Author: Judee Algazi of Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time: 5-8 minutes
Bake Time: 20 minutes
Makes: 12 doughnuts


Ingredients:
2 cups of almond flour ( Trader Joe's or health food store)
1/4 cup of coconut flour ( Trader Joe's or health food store)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder ( aluminum free)
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
1/2 cup of milk ( coconut milk, almond milk, or regular milk)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs, beaten
optional: chocolate chips or chocolate frosting ( Quick recipe below)


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder and sea salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside. Mix the eggs, milk, banana together and then add to the wet ingredients. Mix with a spoon until blended. Pour batter into a 12 doughnut pan ( or 2 six doughnut pans)  and bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool, remove from pan and drip chocolate icing on top. Sprinkle with coconut if desired for a festive look.


Quick Chocolate frosting
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup chocolate chips ( I used dairy free)

Directions 
Heat the coconut oil and chocolate chips in a saucepan on a low flame. Stir frequently until they melt together ( 1- 2 minutes) . Remove from heat and frost the donuts if desired. It takes about 4 hours for this icing to really dry. Eat immediately or wait 4 hours and then store.

Tips and Notes: Where to buy a doughnut pan
I bought my donut pan in AC Moore or you can easily purchase online:
Wilton Nonstick 6-Cavity Donut Pan 

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Cauliflower Rice Snow Patties-

Low Carb, easy, delicious and nutritious describe these real food cauliflower snow patties that are baked in the oven, not fried. They are my new low carb Hanukkah latke! I need to watch my carbs and this is the perfect solution for me,