What kind of foods do people eat on Hanakkuah?

Question

Hi. I have to make a meal that has food in it that people eat on Hanakkuah. Besides latkes, what can I make for a side dish, main course, and dessert?

Please help! :]

My mom says that I have a pretty good budget, because our grocery store has a lot of holiday foods on sale.

Answer 1

Great site:

http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa120798.htm

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Hanukkah Bimuelos or Loukoumades (Fried Honey Puffs) Recipe

From The Jewish Holiday Cookbook by Gloria Kaufer Greene (Times Books)
Fried honey puffs are a traditional Hanukkah food for Sephardic Jews from the Mediterranean region, particularly Spain, Greece, and Turkey. They are so good, you will want to make them year-round. Honey puffs are best eaten as soon as they are made.
INGREDIENTS:

* Batter:
* 1 packet (2-1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
* 1 cup warm (105 to 115 degrees F.) water, divided use
* 1/2 teaspoon sugar
* 1 large egg
* 2 cups all-purpose white flour, preferably unbleached
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* .
* Honey Syrup:
* 1 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup cold water
* 1/2 cup honey
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* .
* For Frying and Garnish:
* Vegetable oil
* Ground cinnamon

PREPARATION:
For the batter, mix together the yeast, 1/2 cup of the warm water, and the sugar in a medium-sized bowl. Let the yeast mixture rest for about 5 minutes, or until it is foamy. Stir in the remaining batter ingredients (including the remaining 1/2 cup water) until smooth. The batter should be very loose and sticky. Cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let the batter rise for 1 hour. (If necessary, the batter can be stirred down at this point and allowed to rise for another 30 minutes.)

While the batter is rising, prepare the honey syrup. Mix together all the ingredients in a 2-quart or similar saucepan and slowly bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring only until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat slightly and boil the syrup, uncovered and undisturbed, for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.

When the batter has risen, stir it down. Put enough oil into a large saucepan or a wok so that it is about 1-1/2 inches deep. Heat the oil until it is very hot, about 375 degrees F. Dip a teaspoon into the oil, and then use the spoon to scoop up a small portion of the batter. Gently drop the batter into the oil. (Keep your opposite hand moistened, in case you need to nudge the batter off the spoon. The batter will not stick to wet hands.) The dollop of batter will quickly puff up to almost twice its original size. Make more puffs in the same manner, but do not crowd the pan. Fry the puffs, turning them occasionally with a slotted spoon, until they are browned on all sides and very crisp.

Drain them briefly on paper towels or on the rack that attaches to some woks. Then drop 1 or 2 at a time into the cooled syrup (see Note). Use a different spoon or tongs (so the syrup will not get oily) to turn the hot puffs in the syrup until they become completely coated with it. Lift the puffs up, and let the excess syrup drain off. Put the puffs on a large plate. Repeat the frying and dipping process until all the batter is used. Then sprinkle the puffs generously with cinnamon. For best taste and texture, serve them as soon as possible.

Note: If desired, the honey puffs may be fried in advance, and coated with hot syrup just before serving. Some Sephardic cooks prefer to stir about 1 teaspoon cinnamon into the syrup, and then let each guest pour a bit of syrup over his or her own serving of puffs. In some households, purchased pancake syrup is used. Another easy alternative is 1 cup honey mixed with 1/4 to 1/3 cup water, heated just until blended and hot. Use while warm to drizzle over the puffs.

Yield: about 36 honey puffs.

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Matzoh Onion Stuffing Recipe

Ingredients
2 matzohs
1/2 cup hot chicken broth
2 Tablespoons oil
1 large onion, chopped
Salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 egg, beaten

Instructions
Crumble matzohs into a bowl and pour chicken broth over them. Heat oil in a frying pan and add onion, salt, pepper, cumin and turmeric. Saute over medium heat, stirring often, until tender and golden brown. Add to matzoh mixture and let cool. Stir in egg and taste for seasoning. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 to 30 minutes.

Yield: 2 servings