Meal Ideas for Your Hanukkah Celebration
Since the holidays are right around the corner, there is nothing better than throwing a Hanukkah celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights, for your family and friends. During this special time, you can all gather together and commemorate the 8 nights the Jews had to endure on just one little drop of oil. As you celebrate in front of the Menorah, you will have the chance to light up those cold winter nights with delicious food, storytelling, gift exchanging, and an assortment of games. In order to save yourself from the stress, professional catering in Fort Lauderdale is designed to make your holiday as delicious as possible!
Your Hanukkah menu may depend upon your preference as well as the preference of your guests. To ensure your holiday spread includes some of the best traditional dishes, planning with a caterer can give everyone a memorable experience. Below are a few essential meal ideas that you can include in your celebration:
● Potato Latkes: Start off with this special appetizer made from mashed potatoes which is served with sour cream or applesauce as a topping. They can also be made with spaghetti squash or parsnips. Latke has a connection with Hanukkah because it is the Yiddish word for pancake. It also has a symbolic meaning since it is a fried food made in oil. Local catering in Fort Lauderdale will have the ability to cook this and pass around this delicious foodie in the most creative way.
● Challah: You cannot have a Jewish celebration without the Sabbath bread. The term ‘challah’ refers to the mitzvah of separating a portion of the bread dough before they are braided. During Rosh Hashana or the fall holidays, this bread is usually formed into round loaves to symbolize the circle of a whole year.
● Matzo Ball: While this is traditionally eaten on Passover, many people still serve it during Hanukkah. These light and fluffy dumplings are made from matzo meal and eggs which are made to absorb the chicken broth it is served in.
● Beef Brisket: This dish is enjoyed during several Jewish holidays and can be made in all sorts of ways including being lathered in red wine or other flavor-enhancing seasonings. Beef brisket is a favorite to many and is usually made a day or two in advance. If it is done right, it can be incredibly juicy and flavorful. It can also be served with basmati rice, asparagus, steamed carrots, or veggies of your choice. In tradition, this meat has become a delicacy because, in Kosher practice, it makes it easier to slice brisket meat cuts.
● Gefilte Fish: Many people have a love-hate relationship with this dish. It is typically served on Friday night Sabbath and other holidays. The term “gefilte” means stuffed in Yiddish because forcemeat such as carp would be stuffed into the fish. Its texture is jelly-like and can be served with horseradish.
● Noodle Kugel: This is a traditional Jewish casserole made from egg noodles instead of bread. This sweet dish can also be transformed by swapping out the sugar and cinnamon for vegetables and spices. While it is usually served on Yom Kippur, many people still eat it during Hanukkah.
● Sufganiyot: These are deep-fried, jelly-filled donuts topped with powdered sugar. Not only is this enjoyed by the Jews, but by anyone who has a sweet tooth! Since it is another fried food commemorating the famous oil from the Hanukkah story, they are often a popular dessert served during these celebrations.
● Gelt: The word “gelt” literally means money. They are basically chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil and used for traditional games such as dreidel. Many kids love them since they are used for trading, given as tokens, reserved for prizes, or hidden all over the house. They are often used during Hanukkah celebrations and represented as blessings.
Before you plan your traditional Hanukkah meal, be sure to take into consideration of the dietary restrictions of your guests who may be keeping kosher or who are vegetarians. Having professional catering in Fort Lauderdale which specializes in Jewish food can make your life easier. They can come up with customary foods that will represent the long history of Jewish families and friends coming together to celebrate the holiday season. They can also blend traditional and modern flavors to spruce things up.
