Yes,yes,everyone knowsHanukkahmeanslatkesanddoughnuts.But for my family it also means cheese.That's because of thestory of Judith,daughter of Yochanan the high priest,aunt of the Maccabees.Though most of us know thetale of the great Maccabee victoryand the oil that miraculously burned for eight days,somehow,this valiant woman's story is often overlooked.
So here it is: Judith visited Holofernes,the enemy general,on the pretext of asking for protection.She was so beautiful that he asked her to dine with him,which she did,and she made sure he ate plenty of cheese.The cheese gave him such a powerful thirst that he drank too much wine and fell asleep.Judith cut off his head with his own sword and ran to tell the men when to strike,assuring their victory.
It sounds grisly,I know,but when you have two daughters,as I do,it's important to underscore how and when women have made their mark,even when the world held them back.My daughters,and now my granddaughters (and grandsons) hear the Judith story every year as we light themenorah.
In the early days,Hanukkah celebrations included both cheese and fried foods.But in the northern countries like Russia and Poland,where so many Jews were poor,few people could afford cheese.So when they prepared the traditional latkes they substituted shreddedpotatoesfor the cheese.The rest,as the sage says,is commentary.
Both potato latkes andcheese latkesare a Hanukkah must at our house.那天晚上我们吃素食晚餐,which might also includeEggplant,Mushroom and Tomato Gratinor Spinach Pie (there's a recipe in my book,Hip Kosher).Dessert: maybe a cheesecake or cheese strudel,but I often cook something au courant,likeBaked Goat Cheese with Cranberries and Honey.It's a full smile meal.
Lemon-Cottage Cheese Pancakes (fromHip Kosher)
You'll Need:
1-1/3 cups dry curd cottage cheese,pot cheese,or farmer cheese
3 large eggs
1 cup milk
1-1/2 tablespoons finely grated fresh lemon peel
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Butter for the griddle
Instructions:
1.Combinethe cottage cheese,eggs,milk,and lemon peel in a bowl.
2.Addthe flour,sugar,baking powder and salt and mix to combine ingredients.
3.Heata griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of butter.
4.When the butter has melted and looks foamy,working in batches,pourabout 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle for each pancake.
5.Cookthe pancakes for about 2 minutes per side,or until they are golden brown,adding more butter to the pan as necessary.Makes 4 servings.
Roasted Eggplant,Tomato and Mushroom Gratin
You'll Need:
1 medium eggplant
5-6 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tomatoes,sliced
6-8 ounces mushrooms,sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup grated Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1.Preheatthe oven to 425 degrees.
2.Cutthe eggplant into slices about 3/8-to-1/2-inch thick.
3.Brushthe slices lightly,using about 4 tablespoons of the olive oil.
4.Placeon cookie sheets and sprinkle with salt and pepper.Roast for about 15 minutes or until the eggplant has softened,turning the slices once.
5.Placethe slices in a baking dish.Cover with the tomato slices and mushrooms.
6.Scatterthe top with the basil,parsley,Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.Drizzle with remaining olive oil.
7.Bakefor about 25 minutes or until top is golden brown. Makes 4 servings.
Baked Goat Cheese with Cranberries and Honey
You'll Need:
8 Walkers Highland Oatcakes (or use Kedem Tea Biscuits)
4 ounces goat cheese
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted almonds or walnuts
mint leaves
Instructions:
1.Preheatthe oven to 350°F.
2.Placethe crackers two together on a cookie sheet.
3.Slicethe cheese into four equal rounds and place one on top where the crackers come together.
4.Bakefor about 10 minutes or until the cheese has softened and its edges ooze slightly.
5.While the cheese is baking,combinethe honey and cranberries in small saucepan over medium heat and cook for a minute or two,until warm.
6.Gently transferthe cheese crackers and cheese onto dessert plates and drizzle with the honey mixture.
7.Scatterthe nuts over the ingredients.Garnish with mint leaves.Makes 4 servings.
And if cheese doesn't float your boat on Hanukkah,try out ouroven-fried latkes,Hanukkah beignets,and deliciouscookies.
