New Ideas for Luscious Latkes, Decadent Donuts….  and Much More!

From Kosher.com

The Jewish people have been celebrating Chanukah, or the Festival of Lights, for centuries. All around the world, families light the menorah, play dreidel, and eat diet-busting fried foods to commemorate a great miracle that happened in 130 BCE.

Why fried foods? The story in brief: The brave Maccabees defeated their oppressors, who wanted them to worship only Greek gods. It was time to purify and rededicate the Temple. There they found only one small jar of oil, enough to keep the eternal light aflame for just one day. But miraculously, that light continued to burn for eight days!

Oil symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Thus, fried foods like donuts and latkes are traditional fare throughout the eight days of Chanukah. But that doesn’t mean these goodies have to be ho-hum, say the food and lifestyle experts at Kosher.com.

With a few basics on hand – like Manischewitz mixes, Bartenura Olive Oil and Tuscanini jams and sauces – and some creative recipes from Kosher.com, you can rock every Chanukah meal with a different and unique treat! Read on for de-LIGHT-ful main dishes such as Pulled Brisket Taco Latkes from chef Esty Wolbe, and modern twists on traditional desserts such as Savory or Sweet Donuts (top them with crushed cookies or goat cheese and balsamic glaze), and Berry Cheese Latkes from chef Naomi Nachman.

Serve them with a Chanukah-inspired Golden Wine Spritzer. Utilize Manischewitz cooking hacks such as potato pancake mix and donut mix to get gourmet results while reducing your prep time in the kitchen.

Pulled Brisket Taco Latke

Part One: Latkes

• 1 Box Manischewitz Latke/Pancake Mix
• Follow Manischewitz Box Instructions: 
• 2 Eggs,
• 2 1/4 Cup Cold Water,
• One Package Manischewitz Pancake/latke mix;
• 1/8-inch hot vegetable oil

Directions:  In a medium bowl beat 2 eggs until blended; Add 2 1/4 cup cold water and mix well.  Stir in contents of Pancake/Latke package. Allow batter to thicken 3-4 minutes. In large skillet, drop tablespoons of batter into 1/8-inch hot vegetable oil and brown both sides. Makes 45-60 Latke pancakes.

Part 2: Pulled Brisket

• 3 lbs. Marbled 2nd cut brisket
• 1 – 18 oz. bottle Gefen BBQ sauce
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 5-6 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 batch (about 1/4 cup) coffee garlic rub:
•  1 tbsp ground coffee beans
• 1 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp regular paprika
• 1 tsp coarse salt
• 1 tsp onion flakes
• 1 tsp granulated garlic

Directions: Place the brisket in a crock pot, top with onions and garlic. (Alternatively, this may be prepared in the oven at 275°F for 4-6 hours, until it shreds easily when pulled.)

Pour BBQ sauce over the top. Add 1/4 cup of water to the BBQ sauce bottle, swish and pour into crock pot. Sprinkle on the coffee garlic rub and cook on low 8 hours. Remove brisket from sauce and pull apart with 2 forks until shredded. Add a few tablespoons of cooking liquid to shredded brisket.

Place a mound of pulled brisket onto the center of each latke, gently fold like you would a soft tortilla, and enjoy!

Donuts with Sweet & Savory Toppings by NAOMI NACHMAN

• 1 – Box Manischewitz Donut Mix
• You will Need:
• Deep Fryer or Large Pot
• Vegetable Oil (enough for frying)
• Large Bowl and small Bowl
• Ingredients:
• 1 cup milk (or water)
• 1 Box Manischewitz Chanukah Dough Mix

Directions:

1. Pour cooking oil into a deep fryer or large pot

2.    Heat oil over media heat. Do NOT bring to a boil.

3.    In large bowl, add donut mix. Stir in milk or water. Stir until uniform

4.    Coat hands with oil or flour. Scooping 1 Tbsp at a time, form batter into desired donut shapes.

5.    Carefully place formed donuts one at a time, into heated oil. Fry about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

6.    Drain and cool completely on cooking rack.

Toppings: Sweet

• Icing and sprinkles
• Crushed cookies
• Jam

Toppings: savory toppings

• Marinara sauce and cheese
• Goat cheese and balsamic glaze
• Pesto and sundried tomato

Get more Chanukah Recipes from Kosher.com

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