HAPPY HANUKKAH (Chanukah)

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Dec. 8 2004 | Carlo3b, A PROUD AMERICAN

[carlo3b]

HAPPY  HANUKKAH

". . . 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.

[carlo3b]

 
The story starts not with the miracle of Chanukah, but 1,437 years earlier with Jacob's ladder. Jacob had a prophetic dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder that reached from the ground to the heavens. These angels weren't Hollywood extras with fluorescent tubes over their heads - they were, in fact, incorporeal spiritual messengers - the protecting forces of four great kingdoms. Four kingdoms that would in the future dominate and exile the Jewish People: Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome.

At first, Yaakov saw the angel of Babylon ascend the ladder 70 steps and then he came down: The Jewish People were in the Babylonian exile for 70 years.

The protecting angel of the Empire of Persia and Media then climbed up the ladder 52 steps before he descended: The Jewish People were in exile in Persia 52 years.

Then the angel of the Empire of Greece climbed 180 rungs - the domination of Greece lasted 180 years.

Finally, the protecting angel of the Roman Empire climbed up the ladder, but he didn't come down. Yaakov feared that this final exile would never end, until Hashem promised Yaakov - If he will rise up like an eagle and make his nest among the stars - even from there I will bring him down.

We are still in that final exile, in the softly asphyxiating embrace of Rome's spiritual heirs....

 The Four Kingdoms  

BABYLON
In the year 3338 (587/6 BCE), the first of our Holy Temples was razed to the ground by the Babylonian Emperor Nabuchadnezer, and the majority of the Jewish People led into exile by the Assyrian Emperor Sancheriv. Why was it such a tragedy that the Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple) was destroyed? The Beis Hamikdash represents a unique pipeline between Hashem and Man. When it was destroyed, this flow of spiritual energy was severed. The level of this connection is linked to the word "nefesh" - soul ("When a soul will bring an offering"...Vayikra 2:1). Nefesh begins with the letter Nun, and Nun represents the kingdom of Babylon.
PERSIA
As we know from the story of Esther, Haman was interested in finding the final solution of the Jewish problem - genocide. The exile of Persia and Media represents the threat to the "guf" - the body of the Jewish People, the physical threat of annihilation. Guf begins with Gimmel which stands for the kingdom of Persia and Media.
GREECE
Greece, on the other hand, represents the attack on the Torah itself - the sechel - the wisdom of Israel. The Greeks weren't interested in the physical destruction of the Jewish People; rather they wanted to destroy the spiritual core of Judaism - the Torah - and leave a Hellenized hulk that would conform to the Greek norms of aesthetics - drama and the superficial wisdoms. Sechel begins with the letter Sin - that's the letter of the kingdom of Greece.
ROME
The fourth kingdom, Rome, is a summation of all the other exiles. At the beginning of their domination, the Romans, like the Babylonians, stopped the bringing of offerings in the Temple. Then, they destroyed the second Holy Temple and inflicted unthinkable carnage on the "guf", the body of Jewish People: After the massacre of Betar, they used Jewish blood as fertilizer for seven years.
At first, Rome was the intellectual scion of Greece, but with the conversion of the emperor Constantine to Christianity in 313 CE, the Catholic Church became the spiritual heir of the Roman Empire. After the demise of the influence of the Church, the mantle of Rome was subsequently worn by secularism and materialism - the spiritual incarnation of Rome in our own times.
Rome is all the exiles rolled into one and thus it is represented by the Hebrew word "HaKol," meaning "all".

Happy Chanukah

[AppyPappy]

Hmmmmmm.....Latkes.

[carlo3b]

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[evets]

Thanks!

Blessings to you all!

[bray]

Happy Chanukah and Shalom!

Pray for W and Our Troops

[tiamat]

Check it out, you guys!

[tiamat]

Good morning, Carlo!

I'm so glad you are posting!

This is a cool thread.

Thank you!

[AppyPappy]

I want to see a picture of that giant menorah in the yard

[Bluegrass Conservative]

"Okay... This is a song that uhh.. There's a lot of Christmas songs out there and uhh.. not too many Chanukah songs. So uhh.. I wrote a song for all those nice little Jewish kids who don't get to hear any Chanukah songs. Here we go..."

Put on your yarmulke

Here comes Chanukah

So much funukah

To celebrate Chanukah

Chanukah is the festival of lights

Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights

When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree

Here's a list of people who are Jewish just like you and me

David Lee Roth lights the menorah

So do James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah

Guess who eats together at the Carnegie Deli

Bowser from Sha Na Na and Arthur Fonzerelli

Paul Newman's half Jewish, Goldie Hawn's half too

Put them together, what a fine lookin' Jew

You don't need "Deck The Halls" or "Jingle Bell Rock"

'Cause you can spin a dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock- both Jewish

Put on your yarmulke

It's time for Chanukah

The owner of the Seattle Supersonicahs

Celebrates Chanukah

O.J. Simpson, not a Jew

But guess who is? Hall of famer Rod Carew- he converted

We got Ann Landers and her sister Dear Abby

Harrison Ford's a quarter Jewish- not too shabby

Some people think that Ebenezer Scrooge is

Well he's not, but guess who is

All three Stooges

So many Jews are in showbiz

Tom Cruise isn't, but I heard his agent is

Tell your friend Veronica

It's time to celebrate Chanukah

I hope I get a harmonicah

Oh this lovely, lovely Chanukah

So drink your gin and tonicah

And smoke your marijuanikah

If you really, really wannakah

Have a happy, happy, happy, happy Chanukah

Happy Chanukah

[carlo3b]

Chanukah Latkes
By the light of the Chanukah Menorah, young and old enjoy this crisp, holiday treat!

• 5 large potatoes, peeled
• 1 large onion
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp. Salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• ¾ cup oil for frying
• Use: 10-inch skillet

Yields: 4 to 6 servings
Grate potatoes and onion on the fine side of a grater, or in a food processor; or put in a blender with a little water.
Strain grated potatoes and onion through a colander, pressing out excess water. Add eggs, flour, and seasoning. Mix well.
Heat ½ cup oil in skillet. Lower flame and place 1 large tablespoon batter at a time into hot sizzling oil and fry on one side for approximately 5 minutes until golden brown. Turn over and fry on other side 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Continue with remaining batter until used up, adding more oil when necessary.
Serve with applesauce on the side.
Variation: Zucchini or Carrot Latkes: Substitute 5 medium zucchini or 5 medium carrots for potatoes.
Excerpted From: Spice and Spirit, The Complete Kosher Cookbook

Happy Holiday my dear friends......
 
 

Rumanian Zucchini Potato Latkes

• 2 pounds zucchini
• 2 large potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• ¾ cup matzah meal
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Makes 18 large pancakes to serve 6-8.
Peel the zucchini and grate down to the seeds (discard the seeds). Squeeze out the liquid.
Peel the potatoes and grate into the zucchini. Once more, remove the liquid. This is important!
Grate the onion and add to the zucchini mixture. Add the eggs, oil and matzah meal, starting with ½ cup matzah meal and continuing to add more if necessary, until there is body to the mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste and blend well.
In a large, heavy frying pan, heat some vegetable oil until almost smoking. Using a large tablespoon, spoon a round portion of zucchini mixture into the pan and brown on both sides. Serve hot with sour cream or applesauce.
Note: You can also add carrots, parsley and dill to this recipe.

Traditional Chanukah Doughnuts
Doughnuts, an old-fashioned treat, are never quite as good when store-bought. Try them homemade!

• 1 ¾ ounces fresh yeast
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup oil
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup non dairy creamer
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. Grated lemon peel
• 6 to 7 cups of flour
• Also:
• Oil for frying
• Confectioners' sugar

USE: 2-quart pot
In a large mixer bowl: place eggs, oil, sugar, nondairy creamer, vanilla, and grated lemon peel. Add yeast mixture; add flour until soft dough is formed. (Dough need not be dry; it should be softer than challah dough.) Knead for a few minutes. Cover and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1-½ hours.
Roll out dough ½-inch thick on floured surface. Cut out circles with a doughnut cutter.
Place 2 or 3 inches oil in a 2-quart saucepan and heat over a medium flame until hot. Place four doughnuts at a time in the oil. Brown on one side and then on the other. Remove with slotted spoon. Drain and cool on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar.
Note: To test if dough is ready for rolling, place a small piece in a glass of water-if the dough floats to the top, it is ready.
YIELDS: 5 to 6 dozen doughnuts

Jelly Doughnuts
Making these feather-light doughnuts is quite a job. But the compliments you receive make them well worth the effort. Eat them while piping hot.

• 1 ounce fresh yeast
• 1/2 cup lukewarm nondairy creamer
• 1/2 cup flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 Tbsps. sugar
• 1/2 cup lukewarm nondairy creamer
• 2 3/4 cups flour

FILLING

• Jam or Italian Pastry Cream
• 1 pound solid shortening
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

USE: Double boiler
4-quart pot
YIELDS: 18 to 24 doughnuts
In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup lukewarm nondairy creamer. Pour 1/2 cup flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the flour and pour in dissolved yeast and a pinch of salt; mix well. Cover bowl with a towel and let stand in a warm place until sponge is double in bulk, about 1 hour.
While dough is rising, melt margarine in top of double boiler over boiling water. Remove from flame and pour margarine into a large bowl and allow to cool 15 to 20 minutes. When cool, add egg yolks one at a time and mix. Add sponge to egg yolk mixture and beat well for 10 to 15 minutes.

Add sugar and 1/2 cup of lukewarm nondairy creamer, stirring continuously. When completely mixed, add 2 1/2 cups of flour a little at a time, continuing to stir mixture. Once all the flour has been added, continue kneading until dough detaches from sides of the bowl. Cover bowl with a towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.

Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of flour over board and place dough on it. Gently roll out with a rolling pin to 1/4-inch thickness. With 2-inch cookie cutter cut out twenty-eight circles.

On fourteen circles, place 1 teaspoon of jam or pastry cream. Moisten edges with finger dipped in a glass of water. Cover pastry with remaining fourteen circles. Press edges together tightly. Cover doughnuts and let rise 1 hour.

In a 4-quart pot, melt 1 pound solid shortening. Deep-fry each doughnut 1/2 minute on each side. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Once cool sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

[Caipirabob]

L'Chaim, Y'all!

[Coop]

While not Jewish, my daughter and I were in the spirit yesterday evening - playing with her dreidel (sp?).

[carlo3b]

Good Morning.. Better a bit late than never... :)

NEVER STARVE AROUND HERE...:)

KOSHER STYLE CHICKEN SOUP

I grew up on Chicago's near west side, in what was later referred to as a ghetto, with lots of old world Italians, and Jewish folks! The Butcher shops, were almost all Kosher, and the owners spoke Italian as much as we'd  kibitz in yiddish. This is a recipe that I make almost every other week and use the rich broth for a mess of stuff.  I don't keep a Kosher kitchen, but I still frequent the Kosher bakery, and meat market and freeze the bagels and chicken until I need them. This is Mrs Levy's recipe our upstairs neighbor, given to my great aunt at least 50 years ago and has been passed around ever since..

• 1 kosher chicken 3-4 lbs cut into eighths, you can find at a kosher butcher, or some major supermarkets have kosher packaged chickens, they are always plumper and fresher, but a lot more expensive.. :(
• 3 med. carrots cut into thirds
• 1 whole medium onion, cut into quarters
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 stalks celery (optional, l don't always use it)
• 1/2 bunch fresh dill (do NOT use dried dill weed)

1) Clean chicken, put into a dutch oven, cover with water up to 1/8th from the top of the pot. Add carrots, onion, and celery.  High heat until water begins to boil, then lower flame to simmer. Cook uncovered for 2 or more hours, add wine and fresh washed dill (including the stalks, I tie the stems together, or wrap them in cheese cloth), continue cooking for 20 minutes.
Take out dill and throw away.  Enjoy!
My youngest son makes the matzo balls following the easy directions on the box of matzo meal and serve them in the soup.
I also cook fine noodles and serve it with the soup as well.  Heaven on earth!!! HOLIDAY BRICK CORNED BEEF
This is an old traditional Jewish holiday main course, that never disappoints.. enjoy!

• 4-5 lb. brisket of beef
• 1/4 cup kosher salt , large grained
• 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2  tsp. ground cloves
• 2 lg. bay leaves, crumbled
• 1 Tbls. brown sugar
• 1/8  tsp. nutmeg, fresh ground if possible
• 1/8  tsp. paprika
• 3 lg. cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbls. saltpeter* (optional)
• 1/2 cup warm water

Prepare your brisket in a large, nonmetal container, by weight the meat down with a stone or brick and cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.  Refrigerate for 10 days to 2 weeks. Turn the meat every 2 days.
1) Trim, wash and remove most of the fat from the brisket.
2) Mix together all the spices and the garlic and rub well into the brisket.
3)  Dissolve the salt peter in the warm water and pour over the meat.
4) Unwrap and place the meat in a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and throw away the water. Repeat 3 times.
5)  Cover with cold water again, bring to a boil, and cook over low heat, covered, for about 2 hours or until tender. Cool, slice thin, and place on a platter. Serve with mustard or horseradish.
Yield: 8 to 10 Servings
*saltpeter, can be found at your local drug store,  careful though, or it could remove some of the Happy, from your Happy Hanukkah.. eyes rolling.. Hahahahaha..

Fillet Of Sole Garlic Florentine

Here it is, Kosher, with metric measurements. It doesn't get much better than this!
This elegant dish makes a great dinner and is especially nice for a Shabbat or holiday meal.

 

• 3 lbs (1 and 1/2 kilos) fresh spinach - cooked, chopped and drained well
• 2 T. butter
• 3 cloves garlic - crushed
• 2 lbs (1 kilo) fillet of sole
• 1/2 cup (125 ml) white wine
• 1/4 cup (60 grams) melted butter
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 cup (60 grams) flour (potato flour during Pesach)
• 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream mixed together with
• 1 cup (250 ml) milk
• 1 cup (250 grams) grated kosher Swiss cheese
• 2 tsp. sweet paprika

1) Melt the 2 T. of butter with the garlic and mix into the spinach. Put aside and keep warm.
2) Poach the fish in the wine over a low heat until tender (around 10-12 minutes).
3) Put the spinach into a rectangular baking dish. Lay the fish on top of the spinach.
4) In a saucepan melt the 1/4 cup (60 ml) butter over medium low heat.
5) Add the salt, pepper and flour. Stirring continuously, add the milk/cream mixture and bring to a boil.
After one minute of boiling, remove from the heat and let cool for another minute.
6) Stir in the cheese and pour over the spinach and fish. Sprinkle with paprika and broil until browned lightly.
serves 6 lucky folks!

>

[ErnBatavia]

I've always gotten a kick out of that one...

[massgopguy]

Baruch ata adonai elohaynu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu bimitzmitotav v'tzeevanu l'hadlik ner shel Chanukkah.

Now pass those latkes!

[tiamat]

Oh cool!
We get recipes, too?

Thanks!

I'm pinging the 4-H list!

Ping, you guys!

[carlo3b]

Chanukah Gelt Double Fudge Chocolate Layer Cake You don't see cakes like this every day. Easy, moist, high, non-dairy, flavorful. Stays fresh for days, can be frozen for months. For a bakery store look, garnish sides with chocolate sprinkles and plant one solitary cherry in the center. If you do not have cola on hand, you may substitute warm mild coffee.

Cake:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup cocoa - measured then sifted
• 1 1/2 cups warm, flat, cola

Icing:

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips - melted and cooled
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter or unsalted margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3/4 cup cocoa - measured then sifted
• 3-4 cups confectioner's sugar - measured then sifted
• 1/2 cup water, cola, or half-and-half
• Garnish:
• Gold chocolate coins (20 to 30)
• Color jimmies or cake sprinkles
• Miniature decorative plastic dreidels

Preheat oven to 350*F (175*C). Lightly grease two 9-inch layer pans and line with parchment paper circles.
In a large mixing bowl, blend sugar and oil. Add eggs, vanilla and mix until thick. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and cocoa. Fold dry ingredients into wet and mix, drizzling in cola as mixture blends. If using an electric mixer, use slow speed for about 3 minutes, scraping sides and bottom once to incorporate all ingredients evenly. This is a thin batter.
Bake, on middle rack, 35 to 40 minutes, until cakes spring back when lightly touched.
For Icing: Cream melted chocolate, shortening, butter and vanilla with cocoa and 1 cup of the confectioner's sugar. Add remaining confectioner's sugar and whip on high speed, adding in a bit of water, cola or half-and-half to get a light, fluffy consistency. If not using right away, re-whip before using. Add additional warm water to get correct consistency (a tablespoon at a time).
Decorating: Place one layer on a cardboard circle. Ice this with about 1/2 inch of frosting. Place top layer and ice cake - sides first. Coat sides with colored sprinkles. Garnish bottom edge with coins. Garnish top with coins - placing them either flat on top of cake or standing up (you may cut some of the coins in half to garnish border of top layer). Place a couple of miniature dreidels in center if desired or Chanukah candles (can be lit when menorah is lit).
Serves 12.

[Gabz]

Thanks!!!!

We're not Jewish, but I did make latkes for dinner last night - and I plan to have some of the leftovers for lunch!

[TheOldSchool]

What is the difference between a 9 candle Menorah and one with 7 candles? I have asked many times and have never gotten a satisfactory answer. Thanks!

[anniegetyourgun]

Hey, carlo - two questions. 1) Are these donuts (sans jelly) anything like beignets? and; 2) Do you have any tips for making miniature cookies? I'm thinking about setting aside a day to make 1 1/4 -2 inch holiday cookies - sent away for about half dozen miniature cookie cutters. But what about cooking time for these little things? What's best butter cookie recipe you know of? Frosting? Decorating tips?