For Chanukah it is traditional to eat food fried in oil, in honor of the miracle of the oil. It is also traditional to eat dairy in honor of Yehudit -whose story I will share tomorrow.
The two most tradtional foods are latkes, which are potato pancakes and sufganiyot, which are jelly doughnuts. No Chanukah celebration would be complete without these tasty treats!
I am going to share the recipes for both. Enjoy!
Potato Latkes
Ingredients:
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 and sour cream on the side.
Also a shortcut for great latkes, is to buy already grated hash brown potatoes and then just mix in the other ingredients. I have been known to do this when I don't have time to grate potatoes and really there isn't a huge difference.Now there are easier Jelly Doughnut recipes out there and this one is a bit of a big deal to make, but they are absolutely delicious and after having them you may never want store bought doughnuts again. This recipe comes from chabad.org
Sufganiyot
Ingredients
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.
If however you prefer an easier version to make, there is always this recipe. This is a great family project to make with your kids. I used to teach Hebrew school and always made them with my class of 5th graders.
Sufganiyot (easier recipe)
2-1/2 cups self-rising flour
2 (8-ounce) cartons vanilla low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons vanilla sugar
2 eggs
6 cups canola oil
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup seedless strawberry jelly
1. In a large bowl, place flour, yogurt, vanilla sugar and eggs.
2. Knead until all ingredients are combined and a sticky, doughy batter is formed. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Heat 6 cups canola oil in a 6-quart stockpot, covered, over medium heat.
4. When dough is ready, uncover oil and raise heat to high.
5. Scoop out a tablespoonful of batter and drop in oil. Don't make the doughnuts too big, so they can cook through.
6. You should be able to fry about 7 doughnuts at a time. Using a slotted spoon, turn doughnuts when halfway browned, about 30 seconds to 1minute. Fry for another 2 to 3 minutes or until entire doughnut is deep golden brown and cooked through.
7. Remove doughnuts and let cool on paper towel-lined plates. Repeat previous two steps with remaining batter.
8. Fill a squeeze bottle with jelly and inject a little into each doughnut.
9. Roll each doughnut in confectioners' sugar. Or shake 3 doughnuts at a time in a paper bag filled with confectioners' sugar.
Enjoy and don't forget the chocolate coins for desert!
