With tons of Christmas-themed recipes popping up on PBF over the past few weeks, I thought it might be fun to highlight some delicious recipes enjoyed by those celebrating Chanukah right before the special holiday kicks off tomorrow!
The fabulous Kat is here today to share two of her favorites with all of you.
Enjoy!
Guest Post: Balance and Spice
G’day mates and Happy Chanukah!
My name is Kat, and I blog at Balance and Spice, which covers my adventures in travel, yoga, healthy eating and exercise and the ridiculous fun I have along the way.
I am so honored to be able to write this guest post for Julie, as I’m a huge fan of Peanut Butter Fingers (both the blog and the food group).
Ok, so it’s not quite peanut butter, but it’s almost as good!
Right now, I’m in Australia with my partner, Anthony, and his family. We’re moving here in April after a whirlwind tour of Europe (tough life, I know) and this trip is both a test run and an excuse to visit his absolutely wonderful family. It’s been amazing here, and we’ve gotten to do everything from visit Olivia Newton-John’s retreat site to snuggle a koala.
Best family photo EVER.
The only thing that has saddened me is to be away from my beautiful family this Holiday season, and especially to be gone for Chanukah, which is quite special in my home.
Quick History of Chanukah for any non-Jewish but Jew-curious readers out there:
Chanukah is an eight-day festival that celebrates the joyful miracle of light succeeding over darkness. Historically, it celebrates a small band of Jews, the Maccabees, who defeated the Greeks in Israel and reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after it had been taken over. When they tried to relight the temple’s menorah, there was only enough oil to keep it burning for one day, but miraculously, the lights burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared. To celebrate, we light menorahs each night for eight nights, spin dreidels, and of course, eat copious amounts of deep-fried, oil-drenched foods, such as doughnuts, and latkes (potato pancakes.) Gotta celebrate that oil!
My menorah. I brought it 9,364 miles to pose for this photo.
One of our most precious (and awesome) traditions comes from my sister and brother-in-law, who started throwing Vodka and Latke parties when they lived in L.A.
Last year, Anthony and I threw our own Vodka and Latke extravaganza, New York City style, and it was a total blast. We had a potato pancake bar with various toppings, such as sour cream, caviar, and apple sauce, served with a ginger-tini. SO YUM!
Making Latkes. Oooh yeah.
This year, I feel so lucky to be able to introduce Anthony’s family to this very special tradition with latkes and a Australian inspired cocktail that I’ve come up with. Last year’s biggest hit was actually a modern (and healthier) twist on the traditional dish; baked sweet potato latkes, so I’ve decided to make them again this year.
Also, to honor my new favorite locally grown fruit, and the fact that in Australia, it’s summertime and ridiculously hot, I’ve made a refreshing lychee mint cocktail. I hope you enjoy!
Gingered Sweet Potato Pancakes
Inspired by a recipe from Erincooks.com
Makes approximately 18 (I forgot to count before I ate some. Oops.]
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. sweet potatoes (approximately 1 kilo)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 grated onion
- 1/4 cup gluten-free plain flour (or regular)
- 1 big pinch baking powder
- 1 big pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- Optional toppings: For sweet, apple sauce or stewed fruit. For salty, Caviar of any kind. For creamy, yogurt, sour cream or creme fraiche.
Instructions:
- While you grate the sweet potatoes and onions, pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees farenheit. (200 degrees celcius, if you’re curious. I was. Because that’s how the ovens work here.)
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Dish out onto aluminum foil-lined and oil-sprayed baking sheets into about 18 big spoonfuls. Flatten with the back of your spoon.
- Bake for 25 minutes, then flip and bake for 15 more. Make sure they aren’t burning. Not that that happened to me.
- Serve and enjoy with the topping(s) of your choice.
Lychee-Mint Cocktail
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 6 ounces vodka
- 15 lychees, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 bunch mint, peeled and chopped
- Club soda, lemon-line soda, or champagne
Instructions:
- In a blender, mix lychees, mint, and vodka
- Shake (or stir, if you don’t have a shaker)
- Strain into a pitcher. Add the bubbly of your choice, and additional ice.
- Garnish with a lychee and a mint leaf and serve
Note: If it’s -17 degrees where you are, and the idea of a refreshing cocktail sends chills down your spine, check out my blog tomorrow for a more warming ginger-tini recipe sure to fit the wintry bill.
Both the latkes and the cocktails were a hit with Ant’s family!
We lit the candles and had a great time celebrating the festival of lights. It was such a special experience to share Chanukah with my "Australian Family" and I am so grateful for the opportunity to share one of my traditions with you!
Happy Holidays everyone!
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Nice to “meet” you Kat! The latkes sound delicious, and I LOVE sweet potato! Sounds like you’re having a brilliant time in Australia, and thanks for sharing your Chanukah traditions!
awesome post! thanks for the recipes- they look great. loved reading your story!
I adore latkes but have never tried them with sweet potatoes. These sound out of this world.
This is a great post. I love potato latkes! My fiance’s aunt makes the most delicious ones. I’ve never tried making them before but I’d love to make your recipe. 🙂 They are my favorite part of Hanukkah.
You should totally try them – they’re easy as, and so delicious.
Those look great! My friend made sweet potato latkes last year and I loved them but haven’t had them since!
Mmmm sweet potato latkes sound amazing! Really, anything with sweet potatoes is good in my book. This just ups the ante!
Great guest post! I love the recipes! They look amazing 🙂
Everything looks so tasty! I love reading quest posts and learning about different bloggers. Nice to meet you, Kat!
YUM!!! The pancakes look so good, Kat- and nice to meet you! Oh and Julie- I remember reading about your old church Summit church. Funny thing- i was watching the 700 club and they had one of the pastors from Summit on the show! This is national TV so that was cool. He was talking about Tim Tebow (love that guy), who apparently went/goes to Summit. How cool?
what a great guest post! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my goodness those look delicious!
Great guest post! I love potato pancakes (we Irish call ’em boxty!) and I love the idea of baking them even more–gotta add a little health to my indulgences. 😉
Ohh these look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing! Hope you’re enjoying Australia!
Mmm love sweet potatoes! Thanks for sharing!
VEry cool–sounds delicious! Happy Holidays!
What an absolutely adorable Koala! I love that pic!
Lychees are amazing…I’ve had a ginger lynchee martini and i’m sure mint would be a great combo! Thanks for sharing this post!
Moving to Australia. Sigh! Love the post.
Thanks so much for the post and recipe. Your latkes look delicious… just thought I’d share a link, for some more fun latke ideas!
http://www.gourmetkoshercooking.com/2011/12/hanukah-is-coming-latke-roundup/
Also, Julie I’ve never left a comment before – so I’ll take this oppotunity to tell you I absolutely ADORE your blog!! I read it without fail every single day (several times a day!) and it never fails to brighten up my day and provide a wealth of wonderful positive information (& I’m in my final year of medical school, super stressed, would not waste time on anything if not worth the while!!) Thank you!!!!! Michelle
Great guest post! I checked out your blog too Kat – it looks fantastic!
I love latkes. Love, love, love. But they have to have applesauce and sour cream. I’m only half Jewish (and the wrong half too) but I really enjoy celebrating Chanukah along with Christmas.
Yay for Australia! Although im not sure you’ll be needing the cold cocktail anymore as it is the coldest & rainiest summer we’ve had on record so far! (At least in Sydney anyway). It’s definitely a great place to live 🙂
Ha, yeah, I know, apparently it’s quite chilly for summer in Brisbane, too. However, since I’m used to freezing Decembers, this is quite toasty for me! (It’s around 77 faren here right now.)
Cocktails are welcome in Perth! It’s been rainier than normal but still quite warm! I have been amazed at the weather in Sydney and Brisbane this year.
Yay for some Chanukah love!
As a jewish reader, I love seeing the holiday spirit on here! Thanks for sharing guys!! Chag Sameach (happy holikdays!)
I’ve never baked my latkes before, but these look wonderful!
Thank you so much everyone for the beautifully positive feedback! It’s a beautiful day here in Brisbane, and made all the sunnier by all of you. Thanks so very much!
Kat
Welcome to Australia and Brisbane Kat!! I am sitting here at my desk looking out at the beautiful summer day out my window, it sure is a beautiful place to live and I am fortunate to have lived here all my life, best part of Australia I think apart from the Sunshine Coast and beautiful beaches. Thanks for the post and enjoy your time here!! 🙂
Great post – thanks for sharing your traditions. Those latkes look delicious!
What a great post! Thanks for sharing that history on Chanukah. It was wonderful to read! Have the happiest holiday!
Wow so refreshing so finally see a chanukah post in the blog world. Way to hit all of your readers. Hope your holiday seasons is amazing.
omgshhh I’d loove to have a latke party! haha, and your recipe sounds amaaazing, I’m totally making it! it reminds me a lot of my mom’s Korean cakes (without the spices and all), so I guess I’ve grown up eating “latkes” in a way 😛
ahhhhh, a girl in oz – love it so much. The pancake recipe – wowzer!
I love this post! My fiance (we just got engaged and that’s the first time I’ve typed that!!!!) is Jewish and I’m Catholic, so we’ve worked really hard to learn each other’s traditions. First on my list, brisket and latkes. I’ve got the brisket down, but the latke recipe I used involved frying. We try to eat healthier so I’m so excited to try your baked recipe tomorrow! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing! Good to learn something new!
Thanks for sharing your traditions! Love the sound of those recipes you posted!
Vodka and latkes! That is the best idea ever. I am a big fan of Jewish food, and latkes in particular, so this is a great idea. I figure that since I am an atheist and have no tradition of my own (doesn’t seem to get me out of buying presents though), it’s always nice to learn about and embrace the traditions of others 🙂
I’m definitely going to play with these recipes. One of my favourite latkes I’ve ever had were the autumn latkes in Veganomicon – sweet potato, beetroot and parsnip, I believe.
Great guest post!! My parents have an annual Vodka and Latke party and last year they had an incredible latke bar with sweet potato, zucchini, potato and a ton of toppings. This year there is a Chinese food theme with a bunch of different Chinese food stations and I believe they are trying to get an ice sculpture in the shape of a Jewish Star! Its Miami – things get a little crazy ( ;
Also – have been meaning to post since I found out about this – very interested in your thoughts – Body Pump is going to be sold on DVD by Beachbody!
http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/les-mills-pump-workout.do
The sweet potato cakes look yummy! Might be a nice change to add to Christmas dinner…:) Very cool that you live (or will be living) in Australia. 🙂
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable experience regarding unexpected feelings.
I just made the sweet potato latkes. I added a few white potatoes in with a couple sweet potatoes and changed up the seasoning a tad. They were edible but HEADS UP… I put the latkes on a foil lined baking sheet that I had sprayed with some cooking spray BUT they stuck pretty bad. Soo if anyone else wants to make these, oil the foil really well or maybe try parchment paper :/