Happy Chanukah!

by Deena Remiel


Chanukah is one of my most favorite holidays of the year. It’s a joyous occasion filled with song, games, presents, and scrumptious food. Today, I’d like to share my standard Chanukah party yummies. The whole idea is to eat foods made with oil. Why? Because the story that while the Maccabees were rededicating the Second Temple after it had been nearly destroyed, oil that was supposed to last only a day to give light, lasted for eight. That’s why it’s also called the Festival of Lights.

Enjoy these recipes for a Great Chanukah meal:

POTATO PANCAKES

Ingredients


4 large potatoes
1 yellow onion
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
ground black pepper to taste
2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Directions: Finely grate potatoes with onion into a large bowl. Drain off any excess liquid.

  Mix in egg, salt, and black pepper. Add enough flour to make mixture thick, about 2 to 4 tablespoons all together.

  Turn oven to low, about 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).

  Heat 1/4 inch oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Drop two or three 1/4 cup mounds into hot oil, and flatten to make 1/2 inch thick pancakes. Fry, turning once, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel lined plates to drain, and keep warm in low oven until serving time. Repeat until all potato mixture is used. Sprinkle with salt after removing from oil.

  Serve with a dollop of sour cream or apple sauce.

FALAFEL

1-15 oz. can chickpeas, drained

        1 medium onion, finely chopped

         1 tablespoon minced garlic

         2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

         1 teaspoon coriander

         3/4 teaspoon cumin

         1/2 teaspoon salt

         2 tablespoons flour

         oil for frying (canola or vegetable)

Directions: Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper (to taste) in medium bowl. Add flour and combine well.
Mash chickpeas, making sure to mix ingredients together. You can also combine ingredients in a food processor. You want the result to be a thick paste. 
Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. Slightly flatten.


Fry in 2 inches of oil at 350 degrees until golden brown (2-5 minutes).
Serve falafel by itself, or with hot pita bread with veggies, hummus, or tahini sauce.

FRIED DOUGHNUTS

2 tablespoons clear vinegar
3/8 cup milk
2 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup clear sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 quart oil for deep frying
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:  Stir the vinegar into the milk, and let stand for a few minutes until thick.  In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture alternating with the vinegar and milk. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/3 inch thickness. Cut into doughnuts using a donut cutter. Let stand for about 10 minutes. 


Heat the oil in a large deep skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry doughnuts in the hot oil until golden, turning over once. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar while they are still warm, and serve immediately.

When I put these delectable treats out on the table, along with veggies, dips, salads, and chocolates, I can’t hold people back! And yes, we feel stuffed to the gills when we’re done, but we have no control when it comes to these wonderful main dishes above. I hope you’ll give them a try. At the very least, the Potato Pancakes.

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season filled with laughter and joy!

**In the spirit of the holidays, I’m offering a present of my own to one lucky commenter! I’m offering to buy you two 1-NS stories from Decadent Publishing! 

Count ‘em… 1…2... All you have to do is tell me YOUR favorite holiday dish in the comment area and leave your email addy, too!**

Hugs,
Deena Remiel

P.S. If you’re looking for a holiday gift, why not give the gift of reading? Decadent Publishing has an entire catalog of delectable treats for you including my offerings: TRINITY and GHOST OF A CHANCE! www.decadentpublishing.com

Deena Remiel’s 8 Chanukah Wishes List 2010

WINNERS have been announced! See below

It’s the first night of Chanukah, and I’m so excited to share it with all of you! Contrary to popular opinion, Chanukah is not all about the presents. Its roots are based in a Jewish military victory during the reign of King Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire, so it is a joyous holiday. They say a miracle occurred when the Jews had retaken and rededicated their temple. Oil that was only supposed to last a day wound up lasting for eight. Hence, the eight days of Chanukah.

Many families hold a few traditions such as lighting candles each night, giving a gift every night, playing a spinning top game called Dreydel, giving Gelt, which is real OR chocolate money, and eating anything and everything fried like potato pancakes, donuts, and falafel.

Right around Thanksgiving, in our home, list-making comes to the forefront of my children’s minds. “Oh, I really want this, Mama…” and “I know it’s too expensive, but I’m dying to have…” are phrases heard all day long around the house. So what is my husband’s and my favorite response? “Make a list!”

Well, this year, I’VE made a list, and if I get anything from it, it truly will be a miracle! I’d love to share it with you. Maybe you’ll find something you want to put on your list, as well.

Deena Remiel’s 8 Chanukah Wishes List, 2010

1. Membership to a gym and a personal fitness instructor

(I may have a lot of determination in most things, but when it comes to exercising, I am the worst! I need someone there, next to me, telling me what to do.)

2. Membership to a spa

(After I’m done working out, I’m going to need a full body massage for sure. And I could even get a sensuous chocolate spa treatment. At the Hotel Hershey, in Pennsylvania, they have every kind of treatment WITH chocolate!)

3. A Coach bag, must be chocolate in color

(I must confess. The only purses I buy myself are the $15 ones at Ross. And why not? There are some awesome purses at cheap prices there. But, if I’m going to wish, I’m going to wish BIG and DECADENT. I’m wishing go for my favorite kind of bag – the Coach.)

4. Gift card to Nordstrom

(If I’m going to get a Coach bag, then I must have a wardrobe to match, right? And with my new physique, courtesy of my hunky fitness instructor, I’m going to need new clothes. I like Nordstrom and how you can get a personal shopper to help you put outfits together, top to bottom.)

5. A year’s worth of nail salon appointments

(If I am to look like a successful author, when I reach out my hand to shake someone else’s, my nails should look beautiful, like little drops of chocolate kisses, rather than short stubby and child-like.)

6. A cleaning service for the house

(Let’s face it folks, my husband didn’t marry me because I’m a good maid. I’m busy, my husband’s busy. We need an Alice from the Brady Bunch, really, but I’ll settle for a cleaning service every week.)

7. Round trip airline tickets to anywhere I want to go

(It’s sure been a long time since I’ve been back east. I’d love to do that – visit friends and family, go to NY, go to the beach that used to be only 45 minutes away from home. I could use the tickets and go to Hawaii, too. Ooh decisions, decisions!)

8. A KINDLE

(Please, oh please! I want to read my books and my friends’ books and not be shackled to my computer any longer!)

Pretty lofty wishes, I know. But one can dream, can’t one? Well here’s something that is no dream – I’ve got a special treat for you!

Someone is going to receive a free e-book of Trinity when it releases, and a numbered and signed trading card of Michael! They will also win a book of their choice from Decadent Publishing. Just be the first to answer the following question correctly in the comment section, and make sure to include your email address:

Question: What are the three types of Brethren? (Hint: You just might find the answer in Brethren Beginnings ~ Rise of the Brethren, Volume 1.)

Also, the first 10 of you who comment and include your email within the comment will get a different treat – you’ll receive a signed and numbered trading card of Michael along with a package of the most decadent hot chocolate for you to sip on during a chilly, wintry night.

Hugs and Happy Holidays to All!

Deena Remiel

Hugs and Happy Holidays to All!

Deena Remiel deenaremiel@yahoo.com

www.deenaremiel.com

http://plotmamas.com

www.decadentpublishing.com

12/2/2010

And the first winner is:

Kathleen Ann Gallagher! You have won the free ebook of TRINITY,a free choice of DP book, and a signed, numbered trading card of hunkalicious Michael, Brethren Protector! Wahoo!!!

And now for the 10 lucky winners who will receive the decadent prize of a packet of luscious hot cocoa and a luscious signed and numbered trading card of Michael, Brethren Protector:
Lynn
SiNn
Leanne
See Above
Jennifer
Debby
Estella
Nicole

Congrats to all our winners! I'll be contacting you directly for your snail main address. May your holidays be filled with joy and laughter!