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HAPPY CHANUKAH (HANUKKAH)
An American, Dad, Vet, Clinton Legacy Cookbook Chef, an all around good guy..LOL ^ | Dec 9 2001 | Carlo3b

Posted on 12/09/2001 5:45:52 AM PST by carlo3b

". . . and May This Festival of Lights bring Blessings
upon you and All Your Loved Ones for Happiness,
for Health, and for Spiritual and Material Wealth,
and May the Lights of Chanukah Usher in the Light of Moshiach
and a Better World for All of Humankind."

The Victory over Antiochus

More than 2000 years ago, the land of Judea was ruled by Antiochus, a tyrannical Syrian king. Even today, people fight wars over their gods, despite claims to value "religious tolerance." But a couple of thousand years ago, religious tolerance didn't exist at all. Religion was as good an excuse as any to oppress a people.

That's precisely what Antiochus did to the Jews: he forbade them to observe the Sabbath or study their religious text, the Torah, and he erected a statue of Zeus in their sacred temple of Jerusalem. Many Jews followed his decrees, because they had no choice; those who resisted were executed.

In 167 B.C., the Jews -- driven to desperation -- rose up against Antiochus. Mattathias, a well-respected priest, gathered together an army and put his five sons in charge. Judah and his brothers wanted a name for their battalion that would signify force and strength; "Maccabee", meaning "hammer", fit the bill. It took three years of fighting, but eventually the Maccabees drove the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem.

Naturally, the Maccabees quickly got rid of the statue of Zeus. Then they cleansed and purified the temple, and rekindled the menorah, a candelabra that symbolized God's Divine Presence. Oddly enough, although it only held enough oil to burn for a single day, the menorah burned for eight. This was the miracle.

 HANUKKAH CUSTOMS: THE MENORAH

About the Menorah
To Jews and non-Jews alike, the menorah, or Hanukkiya, is the most recognizable symbol of Hanukkah. It's usually a nine-branch candelabrum whose candles are lit by a "shamash" or service candle which then takes its own place at the centre of the menorah. The menorah itself is placed in a window or anywhere it can be seen by passers-by.

Lighting the Menorah
On the first night of Hanukkah, a single candle (or oil wick) is lit on the far right side of the menorah. A candle is added, from right to left, each night, and the newest candle is always lit first. Ideally, the candles should be lit as soon as stars become visible in the night sky, but they can be lit late into the night. While the candles are being lit and the blessing given, the whole family and any guests gather to witness the ceremony; everyone is encouraged to participate. By the eighth night, with all eight candles lit, the menorah makes a spectacular sight. And as they did the previous evenings, the candles will continue to shine until they burn themselves out.

The Blessing
The first blessing thanks God for the commandment to "kindle the Hanukkah lights."

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-olam Asher Kidshanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel Hanukkah.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, by whose Mitzvot we are hallowed, who commands us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. 

The second blessing praises God for the miracle the candles symbolize; it's said as the candles are being lit.
  Baruch Atah Adonia Elohenu Melech Ha-olam She-asa Nissim L'votenu Bayamim Ha-hem Ba-ZmanHa-zeh.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old, at this season.
On the first night of Hanukkah the "shehechiyanu" blessing is included, to signify that this is the first time the Hanukkah lights have been lit this season.
 

 Hanukkah is a "Festival of Lights" to celebrate the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Syrians, and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The holiday also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
 


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To: mlmr
let us join together and pray for peace.

Bump for peace on Earth, Happy Hanukkah and Many Blessings for the New Year ....Stay warm and Happy!
 

101 posted on 12/10/2001 7:02:00 AM PST by carlo3b
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To: LizM
Hot Fresh Cranberry Punch
Boil cranberries in 1/2 cup white sugar, and enough water with a dash of salt, to just cover, until they pop. Drain, set aside.
Combine the brown sugar with the spices and add 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil in a large kettle. Add the cranberry sauce, crushing with a wooden spoon. Add 3 cups of water and stir until smooth. Pour in the pineapple juice and simmer for 5 minutes. Just before serving add 1 tablespoon of butter. Add diced fresh pineapple, while the punch is simmering. The fruit absorbs the punch flavor and is a tasty bonus in the cup.
102 posted on 12/10/2001 7:17:54 AM PST by carlo3b
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To: carlo3b
Ooops, sorry. I went to bed, then got involved in family and housework, and never checked back. Now I have to see if I have any beets in the garden. Oranges I have...

OY! is my font red!...

CORN COB JELLY

12 Large Corn Cobs
4 CUPS Water
4 CUPS Sugar
1 box powdered fruit pectin

Cut the corn from the cobs -- you can use the corn in another recipe, or can it for a vegetable later.
In a big kettle, put the cobs and water and bring it to a boil. Continue boiling this for 10 minutes, then remove the cobs and discard them (or let them cool and feed them to...uh, the goats. (I was gonna say pigs, but then I remembered)
Strain the remaining liquid and add enough water to make 3 cups all together. Put back into the kettle the liquid while stirring in the pectin. Let it reach a full rolling boil.

Add the sugar, and return it to boiling...this is the part my daughter has trouble with, because if you forget what you are doing and start ironing or sewing, you will have a sticky gooey mess in the pot, and have to buy your mother a new one with the money you earn selling vegetables. (well, that is, if you were my daughter)

Once it boils down a little, skim off the foam, and if you are the kind who thinks corn must be yellow, then you may add a few drops of yellow food colouring.
Pour the hot jelly into hot jars. You may cover with a layer of paraffin if you like.
Cool, and keep the jars in the fridge.
I have friends who go ahead and water-bathe the jars for 2 hours, but since we live in Florida, and have no basements, we still have to keep them in the fridge.

TATER TOT CASSEROLE

(Amounts in this recipe depend on how many you are cooking for, and how big is your casserole dish)

2 pounds (more or less) ground beef
1 large onion, diced small
1 medium bell pepper, diced small (if you like pepper)
chopped garlic to taste (1 teaspoon)
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 can of Cream of Celery Soup
cooked vegetables - your favourite, although usually we use sweet peas or green beans, sometimes mixed veggies if we have left-overs)
Frozen Tater Tots (I like the onion flavoured ones, but I haven't checked if they are kosher -- sorry)
If you don't keep kosher, then also have some shredded cheese, usually cheddar.

Brown ground beef, onions, bell peppers, and garlic together until meat is no longer raw, and onions and peppers are soft. Drain off the fat (unless you really don't care...)
Mix the cans of soup together (or use two of one kind -- this is a "carry-in" recipe, so use what you have around)

Now, layer in the casserole dish: meat mixture, soup mixture, vegetables, (cheese if you are using it), and repeat until you have used all the food, or come close to the top of the dish.

Cover the top of the casserole with frozen Tater Tots. Put the dish in the oven for about 40 minutes at 325 degrees F. (Don't ask about a wood stove, please)
If you have added cheese to the mixture, then you already decided it is Amish-style, not Kosher, so sprinkle a bunch more cheese on top of the Tater Tots, and return to oven until cheese melts.

OK, now, let it cool a little, and it is ready to serve.

I have to go after Chana who is at a youth party. I will get the apple pie recipe to you soon. Please don't be impatient. Running these propane-powered computers is not easy ;-)

103 posted on 12/10/2001 4:33:46 PM PST by womanvet
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To: carlo3b
Hey! I'm not jewish, but the latke recipe sounded so good that I wanted to try them. Well, my 2 jedis had to help, you know! The six year old measured the flour, the three year old broke open the eggs and stirred them up. I grated the potatoe and onion and then they dumped in their ingredients. They were a tad runny, even though I did squeeze the potatoes through cheese cloth. I just added a bit more flour and they turned out fabulous. We had them with sour cream.
104 posted on 12/10/2001 6:54:00 PM PST by 2Jedismom
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To: 2Jedismom
 Well, my 2 jedis had to help, you know! The six year old measured the flour, the three year old broke open the eggs and stirred them up.

How  wonderful!! I'll bet you did more than make Latke,  all 3 of you have just served up a lifelong memory, and I am so pleased to have been a small part of it. Merry Christmas

105 posted on 12/10/2001 8:50:30 PM PST by carlo3b
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To: womanvet
What a treasure the recipes and you are, thanks from all of us... Happy Holidays!!
106 posted on 12/10/2001 8:53:19 PM PST by carlo3b
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To: carlo3b
Good Postings and Good Replies!!
Happy Hanukkah Everbody!! What else?? The JOY of 'Light' with friends and family!!

:-)
Good food too!!!
:-)
107 posted on 12/10/2001 9:03:14 PM PST by maestro
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To: carlo3b
Had a great 1st day of chanukah, spent an enjoyable time at the Chabad house then an incredable time at my Synagogue. Day 2 is definately looking good.
108 posted on 12/10/2001 9:50:34 PM PST by hsszionist
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To: dennisw; Yehuda; Nachum; Israel; Sabramerican; The Sword; veronica; angelo
Chag Chanukah Sameach!


109 posted on 12/11/2001 4:32:00 PM PST by American Preservative
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To: carlo3b
Happy Chanukah to you and to all my Jewish acquaintances here at FR. May God bless you, my Christian brothers and sisters, and our country. Pray for the peace of Jerasalem.
110 posted on 12/11/2001 4:41:37 PM PST by nicmarlo
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To: Jeremiah Jr
Your #77 menorah is so beautiful that I can almost feel the warmth of the candles!
111 posted on 12/12/2001 6:19:39 AM PST by Prodigal Daughter
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To: carlo3b
How strange that a Catholic would claim a Jewish holday, and not a significant one at that for those of the Jewish faith. Merry Christmas in Christ, our lord, amen!
112 posted on 12/25/2001 1:04:42 PM PST by Angelique
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To: christie; stanz; jellybean; Angelique; Howie; TwoStep; piasa; Exit148; RJayneJ; bentfeather; ...

THE CLINTON LEGACY COOKBOOK

113 posted on 12/20/2005 6:05:20 AM PST by carlo3b (http://www.CookingWithCarlo.com,)
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To: carlo3b

Here is your chance to GET ON or GET OFF this and other Carlo3B, all important..(LOVE AMERICA, This is Your Country), (I'll be Damned), (Bwhahhahahh), (The Hell you say), (Aweeeeeee), (snif) ... PING LISTS.
If you wish to remain* on it, just sit back and enjoy our wonderful exchange of ideas and you will be alerted whenever we start posting, Historic, Patriotic, Family, and Diet, and a wholesome exchange of recipes and other valuable info re: various food management threads.

*If you have been flagged to this thread on this post, you are already on our temporary ping list.. :) Remember, other pings don't count... :(

To be removed** or added to the list, simply respond to this post publicly, on this thread, or Freepmail me with your preference.


114 posted on 12/20/2005 6:11:36 AM PST by carlo3b (http://www.CookingWithCarlo.com,)
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To: B Knotts

Homemade bagels are good. But just a warning: they are labor intensive! After I made them years ago, I gained a new appreciation for how much they cost.


115 posted on 12/20/2005 6:13:59 AM PST by twigs
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To: carlo3b

Thanks Carlo!


BTTT


116 posted on 12/20/2005 6:15:40 AM PST by WhiteGuy (Vote for gridlock)
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To: carlo3b
Its the only post-biblical Jewish religious holiday added to the Jewish Calendar. Holocaust Memorial Day is of a quasi-religious character and Israel Independence Day is a day of thanksgiving to thank God for restoring the Jewish people to their Land.

The theme of Jewish history is we're meant to be free. And with our efforts aided by Divine Blessings, tragedy can be turned into deeds of everlasting faith to inspire the generations. Happy Hannukah!

117 posted on 12/20/2005 6:23:45 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: carlo3b
Hanukkah recipes

Mushroom Barley Soup

2 tablespoons oil
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3/4 pound mushrooms, chopped
2 ounces dried mushrooms, soaked in hot water until soft and drained
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
6 cups chicken, beef or vegetable stock
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped dill
salt and pepper

Heat oil in a large pot. Cook onion, celery, and both mushrooms about eight minutes, or until very soft. Stir in barley and cook one minute. Add tomatoes and stock and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 45 minutes or until barley is tender. Stir in parsley and dill. Taste for salt and pepper and serve.

118 posted on 12/20/2005 7:33:46 AM PST by jellybean (George Allen 2008)
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To: carlo3b

Bump!


119 posted on 12/20/2005 7:36:05 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: carlo3b

Ummmm


120 posted on 12/20/2005 7:40:36 AM PST by varina davis
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