Happy Hanukkah from Kosher Create
Celebrate Hanukkah with Kosher Create!
Rediscover what this heart-warming holiday is all about and sample delicious healthy treats. Learn more about the miracle of Hanukkah, the menorah lighting and the spinning dreidel!
Planning a Hanukkah party?
Explore our 8 Hanukkah party ideas and find free recipes for yummy oven-baked latkes.
THE MIRICALE OF HANUKKAH
Hanukkah is dedicated to proclaiming a miracle.
We warm our hearts with the SOFT MENORAH GLOW that commemorates it; warm up our voice to a stream of TUNES that tell us about it; and warm up with the DELECTABLE TREATS that celebrate it.
So what is this miracle of Hanukkah worthy of those cherished traditions?
In short, it is the MIRACLE OF LIGHT.
Hanukkah memorializes the rededication of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC in the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Greek Hellenistic King. After the Temple had been desecrated, a small pitcher of olive oil was found. It was meant to light the Menorah, i.e., the candelabrum, of the Holy Temple. But alas, the amount of oil found was presumed to last for only one day. Above expectations, it lasted for eight days long.
And so, from a minute amount of oil, a steadfast light was spread throughout the Temple. Throughout generations. Throughout time.
EIGHT DAYS OF LIGHT
The miracle of Hanukkah is keenly felt throughout the holiday for eight whole days.
Described as a festival of lights, this holiday evokes heart-warming memories of joyous occasions. Among them, is the candle lighting ceremony. Beginning on the first day of Hanukkah, the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev, the Hanukkiah, i.e., the Hanukkah Menorah is lit. Each day a candle is added until all eight candles are lit, spreading unwavering LIGHT.
It is customary, to accompany the lighting ceremony with songs, pairing a stream of MELODIES with meaningful lyrics.
Clearly, no holiday would be complete without traditional TREATS to accompany it. During Hanukkah, it is customary to eat dishes prepared with oil. The most popular treat is the liviva – latke, a small pancake or pattie traditionally made out of potatoes. Coming up is our collection of healthy baked latke (pattie) recipes.
Wishing you eight days of LIGHT, SONG and, of course, DELECTABLE TREATS. Happy Hanukkah from KOSHER CREATE.
SPINNING THE DREIDEL
A traditional Hanukkah game involves spinning a top, better known by its Yiddish name dreidel (In hebrew sevivon סביבון). The Hannukah dreidel has four sides adorned by four Hebrew letters:
NUN נ – indicates the Hebrew word NES, meaning miracle.
GIMEL ג – indicates the Hebrew word GADOL meaning big.
HEY ה – indicates the Hebrew word HAYA meaning was.
SHIN ש or PEH פ (depending on location) – indicates respectively the Hebrew words SHAM meaning there and PO meaning here.
And to sum it all – נס גדול היה פה or נס גדול היה שם, meaning a big miracle occurred here (in Israel) or there (referring to Israel).
As you could probably guess, two kinds of dreidels are used in accordance to location. Since the Hanukkah miracle happened in the land of Israel, dreidels in Israel feature the letter PEH. Outside of Israel, it is customary to use the letter SHIN.
Besides proclaiming a miracle, the game of dreidel is rooted in ancient times and Jewish tradition. Under the ruling of Antiochus, Jews were not allowed to study Torah, the Jewish Bible. Thus, the forbidden studying was done in hiding. Keeping a dreidel nearby, they retrieved it when the need arose, pretending to be playing it all along when in actuality they kept on pursuing their devoted studying.
HEALTHY LATKE RECIPES
Follow Kosher Create’s easy recipe instructions to create these Hanukkah festive treats.
Kosher Create’s latke recipes use selected ingredients and a minimal amount of olive oil. Baking instead of deep-frying is not only healthier, but much easier.
Click on the latke of your choice to find out more.
Potato Latke Patties – Gluten Free & Dairy Free
For an extra treat, pair your potato latke with Applesauce & Lemon Zest with no added sugar!
Sweet Potato Patties – Gluten Free & Dairy Free
Golden Corn Patties – Gluten Free & Dairy Free
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Patties – Gluten Free & Dairy Free
Gluten-Free Baked Leek Patties – Gluten Free & Dairy Free
Zucchini Patties – Dairy Free
SEARCHING FOR MORE RECIPES?
Coming up are some suggestions for your next Hanukkah party!
8 HANUKKAH PARTY IDEAS
This Hanukkah, try new recipes and enjoy healthier versions of traditional favorites!
Savor the flavors of choice ingredients with quick, easy, tried-and-tested recipes. Feel free to browse through the Kosher Create Menu or check out Kosher Create’s tips for finding recipes on the site.
Want more suggestions? We have 8 ideas lined up for you!
Happy Hanukkah!
#1 WARM UP YOUR GUESTS WITH A BOWL OF HOMEY SOUP
Warm up your guests with a hearty homemade bowl of soup! All our tried-and-tested SOUPS are made with natural selected ingredients. We have vegan and gluten-free options to choose from. All soups can be made in advance. For a less formal setting, ladle the soup into mugs and distribute it among your grateful guests. Other than the chicken soup, all soups are parve (dairy free) and can be easily incorporated into any Hanukkah party menu.
Click the Image below to check out our soup selection!
#2 WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH ENTICING APPETIZERS
Looking for delicious healthy appetizer recipes? We’re looking forward to sharing our APPETIZERS with you! This Hanukkah, try our gluten-free SWEET POTATO & COTTAGE CHEESE MINI KUGELS; sample our LENTIL SPREAD – VEGAN “CHOPPED LIVER” or SPICED EGGS HAMINADOS. Our Gluten-free SWEET POTATO DUMPLINGS is also a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Whatever recipe you choose to follow, you’ll find clear step-by-step instructions and vivid imagery to accompany you in your culinary journey.
Sweet Potato & Cottage Cheese Mini Kugels
#3 PAIR HOMEMADE BREAD WITH SALADS & SPREADS
This Hanukkah pair an assortment of breads with salads & spreads! Fill your home with the homey scent of freshly baked bread coupled with the enticing aroma of fresh SALADS & SPREADS. For a true holiday treat, try HOMEMADE CHALLAH. Or bake these wholegrain vegan SODA BREAD MINI ROLLS that only take 10 minutes to make and 15 minutes to bake! With sweet or savory spreads and a selection of delicious healthy salads, your Hanukkah party is ready to be savored.
#4 CATER TO GLUTEN-FREE NEEDS
Holidays can be challenging for people with specific dietary needs, individuals who avoid gluten among them. Luckily, many delicious dishes and treats can be prepared without gluten. We’d love to share our GLUTEN-FREE collection with you!
#5 ENTERTAIN WITH VEGETARIAN TRIED-AND-TESTED GOODIES
Looking for vegetarian-friendly entertainment solutions? With Kosher Create healthy recipes you’ll have lots to choose from. Explore DAIRY recipes and DAIRY DESSERTS that incorporate reduced-fat dairy products like cottage cheese and yogurt. Try delicious EGG recipes. Between VEGETABLE DISHES to complete your meal and a full display of desserts, you’ll have all you need for an 8-day feast.
Click here to explore Kosher Create’s VEGETARIAN dishes
Kugel – Apple Noodle Casserole
#6 ALTERNATIVELY, EXPLORE CHICKEN OPTIONS
Build your menu around popular chicken dishes with a healthy twist. Try dishes like WHOLEGRAIN BREADED CHICKEN or BAKED CHICKEN SCHNITZEL WITH A WHOLEGRAIN COATING. With KOSHER CREATE MENU you can easily build a kosher menu that is centered around chicken. You can pair it with DAIRY FREE (PARVE) DISHES and enjoy DAIRY FREE DESSERTS (PARVE).
Click here to explore Kosher Considerations
#7 SAVOR THE FLAVORS OF MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
From its renowned staple olive oil to enticing spices & herbs, the notably healthy Mediterranean cuisine is a party favorite. Explore healthy kosher MEDITERRANEAN recipes that feature flavorful savory dishes and mouth-watering desserts.
(made with olive oil)
When you sign up to Kosher create, you’ll receive a Free Mediterranean-Inspired Ebook – a helpful guide for creating your Mediterranean-inspired full-course meal. It is worth noting that the eBook recipes are a special gift for you and currently do NOT appear on the site.
#8 TREAT YOUR GUESTS TO HEALTHY DELECTABLE DESSERTS
Treat your guests to healthy delectable DESSERTS! With DAIRY DESSERTS & DAIRY-FREE DESSERTS (PARVE) to choose from, you can complete your holiday menu and end your party on a sweet note.
Click the image below!
Chag Shameach from Kosher Create!
Looking for holiday recipes & ideas?
Explore our JEWISH HOLIDAYS center!
