13 Dec
Culture, Latest, Zoominars

Hanukkah: The Festival of Cheese with Vered Guttman

Potato latkes aren’t the only tradition on Hanukkah, there’s actually another-cheese! Join Israeli chef and food writer Vered Guttman to learn about the bravery of Judith, how she saved the Jewish people with salty cheese and why Hanukkah has become a Jewish celebration with a feminist angle for some. Guttman  demonstrates how to make Polish syrniki cheese latkes, Moroccan sfinge doughnuts and Ukrainian pampushki (fried potato balls filled with cheese)

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01 Dec
2018 November-December, Arts & Culture, Talk of the Table

Talk of the Table | Why Feminists Should Eat Dairy on Hanukkah

Hanukkah is associated with the bravery of the Maccabees, the group of heroic Jews who rebelled against the Greek-Syrian empire, defeated it against all odds and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem. They lit a menorah with a little oil that lasted for eight days, sentencing us to centuries of eating fried food to excess. But there is an interesting feminist alternative to this male-dominated and oil-laden narrative. For some, Hanukkah is a time to celebrate the courage of a Jewish heroine, a woman who defeated, against all odds, a powerful enemy with her wit, daring—and some salty cheese. This is the story of Judith, a rich and beautiful widow who lived in the Judean town of Bethulia more than two and a half millennia ago. When the army of Assyrian King Nebuchadnezzar led by Holofernes invaded,...

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05 Dec
Culture, Latest, Religion

Recipe: Sumac or Za’atar Latkes

Both sumac and za’atar (hyssop) were biblical spices, the former used to impart a lemony flavor to food, and the latter to season almost anything. During the time of the Macabbees’ revolt in late autumn, and lemony sumac berries had just been harvested, and za’atar grew wild in the hills. Today, the word za’atar refers to a spice blend of hyssop, salt, sumac and sesame seeds, popular on bread, in salads, and over yogurt cheese. You can find sumac and za'atar in Middle Eastern and Persian markets. This recipe was created by Nadav Granot, chef at the biblical gardens of Neot Kedumim, in Israel. SUMAC OR ZA’ATAR LATKES Makes about 8-10 (Serves 4-5) ½ cup virgin olive oil 1 cup chopped onion (1 medium-large) 2 tablespoons crushed garlic 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt (slightly...

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01 Dec
Culture, Latest, Misc, Religion

Rededicating Hanukkah Foods

By Merav Levkowitz For those of us with food allergies and intolerances, social events tend to be awkward and isolating. So many Jewish events revolve around food and involve eating in social settings or at the houses of others. Though many Jews are used to  accommodating kashrut, vegetarianism, and lactose intolerance, which is common among Jews (but irrelevant during a kosher meat meal!), it can be uncomfortable to ask even the most accommodating host to modify his/her menu or recipes and cook differently, especially when old family recipes are at hand. Celiac disease is one such dietary restriction that requires extra attention and is rising in the prevalence in general and especially among Jews. Celiac disease is, in a nutshell, an autoimmune digestive disease in which the body is unable to tolerate gluten, the protein in wheat,...

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29 Nov
Arts & Culture, Culture, Latest, Moment Magazine

Recipe: Sweet Potato Latkes with Spiced Maple Syrup

With Hanukkah approaching fast, people everywhere are getting excited to dine on treats such as latkes and Sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).  But after eight days, those delicious dishes can get tiresome.  This year, why not try out a little variation? According to Phyllis Glazer, modern takes on traditional foods are becoming all the rage in Israel (check out her article on the history of latkes in the current issue of Moment here!).  Here is one of our favorites: Sweet Potato Latkes with Spiced Maple Syrup Makes 10-12  (4-6 servings) For the Latkes: 1 pound sweet potatoes 2 eggs ½  teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼  cup matzah meal Pinch salt Pinch white pepper 2-4 tablespoons light olive oil for frying For the sauce: 1 cup real maple syrup ½  teaspoon grated fresh ginger ¼  teaspoon ground nutmeg Pinch of ground cloves ...

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