Potato Salad

Pass Ina’s potato salad this way, please. This simple-yet-delicious Barefoot Contessa side complements any Christmas roast.

Go to Recipe

The post 11 Ina Garten Holiday Recipes for Your Table appeared first on Taste of Home.

But over the course of eight nights, it can become more and more difficult to fit the candles into the menorah as wax accumulates in the holders. Fortunately, @jewishlyliz developed a menorah cleaning hack that can help ease the hassle and frustration of trying to get candles to fit just right during the holiday.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Good Morning America (@goodmorningamerica)

How to Clean a Menorah

Before we begin, please note that this hack only works for metal menorahs. Do not try this hack with plastic or ceramic varieties.

To get started, preheat your oven to 225F. Then line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and fold up the sides to create a shallow dish. Lay the menorah down on the foil and place the baking sheet on the center rack in the oven.

“Bake” the menorah for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the residual wax has melted onto the foil. Watch it closely!

Take the baking sheet and menorah out of the oven. Hold the hot menorah with oven mitts and use paper towels to wipe off any excess wax that may still be stuck to it. Carefully clean out the stubborn wick pieces at the bottom of the candle holders using a Q-tip.

Let the menorah cool, toss out the paper towels and foil and voil: a shiny, clean menorah for the next night’s lighting!

Happy Hanukkah!

Feel free to repeat this hack throughout the holiday whenever your menorah needs a good clean. And since the oven’s already preheated, why not try making a classic Hanukkah dessert while you wait for sundown? If sweets aren’t your thing, this brisket makes for an exceptional centerpiece as well.

Regardless of your tastes and traditions, chag sameach from all of us at Taste of Home!

The post This Metal Menorah Cleaning Hack Is a Hanukkah Life-Saver appeared first on Taste of Home.

Cranberry-Orange Vodka Slush

Years ago, my mother made a rosy and refreshing Christmas cocktail with vodka that Ive never forgotten. The sparkle comes from fruit juices and lemon lime soda. Melinda Strable, Ankeny, Iowa

Go to Recipe

Pour these vodka Christmas cocktails into one of these cocktail glasses.

The post 26 Vodka Drinks That Will Help Get You Through the Holidays with Your Family appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 pounds medium sweet potatoes, peeled and shredded
• 1/2 cup peanut or canola oil
• Optional: Minced chives, sour cream and applesauce

Ingredients

• 3-3/4 to 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 jar (13 ounces) Nutella
• 6 ounces halva with pistachio, crumbled (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• GLAZE (optional):
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 5 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup dried currants
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons water, divided
• 1 large egg white
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon sugar

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 pound fresh spinach, trimmed
• 1/2 cup chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon everything seasoning blend

Sufganiyot

Sufganiyot is the traditional Hanukkah dessert in Israel. These jelly-filled donuts are deep-fried in oil, connecting them to the miracle of the oil lasting eight nights. Powdered sugar gives them a gorgeous appearance and a sweet finish.

“Sufganiyot are believed to have first come from Spain, adapted from a similar treat, the sopaipilla. Others say the sopaipilla was borrowed from the Jews. Either way, as a tradition, these Hanukkah doughnuts are an easy one to adopt, especially with this delicious sufganiyot recipe.” Recipe contributor David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

The post 17 Traditional Hanukkah Desserts That’ll Make You Shout L’Chaim! appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons bourbon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Rugelach

The crisp texture of these crescent-shaped cookies makes them a terrific treat to serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee. Learn how to make them step by step.

Go to Recipe

The post 8 Scrumptious Rugelach Recipes to Make for Hanukkah appeared first on Taste of Home.

We eat these symbolic foods not just on the first night of Hanukkah, but throughout all eight nights to celebrate the oil lasting for that long. Here are our favorite crispy bites and other Hanukkah favorites, as well as their significance for the holiday.

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the ancient Jewish peoples’ reclamation of their temple in Jerusalem after occupation by the Syrian-Greek empire.

As the story goes, the Jewish Maccabees reentered the temple and found only a tiny bit of oilbarely enough to burn their lamps for one day. Instead, the oil burned for eight daysa Hanukkah miracle.

Since Hanukkah typically falls in December, it’s often considered the Jewish version of Christmas. But Hanukkah is a minor Jewish festivalfar less significant than the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Still, Hanukkah is a fun winter celebrationand it doesn’t hurt that it comes with lots of good food.

Traditional Hanukkah Foods

There are dozens of Hanukkah recipes to make during the eight-day celebration, but here are some of the most traditional and beloved Hanukkah foods.

Latkes

Latkes are traditional fried potato pancakes that are eaten on Hanukkah to remember the miracle of the oil in the Hanukkah story. They’re probably the most well-known Hanukkah food, and for good reason. No matter how they’re madefrom thinly or thickly shredded potatoes to almost mashedthey’re bound to be delicious. There are many latke variations, including sweet potato, zucchini and cheese and red pepper.

Editor’s Tip: Homemade latkes are a time-consuming process, but they’re always worth it! Plus they freeze well, so you can make them ahead of time or make a big batch and freeze half of them.

Applesauce and Sour Cream

Applesauce and sour cream are the most popular latke toppings. They can be playfully divisiveask any Jewish person in your life which they prefer, and they’ll likely have strong opinions. (So if you’re hosting a Hanukkah latke party, make sure you have both!)

Whether you personally opt for applesauce or sour cream (or, like me, both!), these cool, smooth toppings provide the perfect contrast to piping hot, crispy latkes.

Editor’s Tip: Store-bought sour cream and applesauce work just fine, but you can take your latkes up a notch with homemade applesauce.

Sufganiyot

Fried jelly doughnuts are another reminder of the Hanukkah oil miracle. In Israel and many Jewish communities in the U.S., they’re called sufganiot, which is the Hebrew word for donuts. They’re related to sfinge, which are Moroccan doughnuts that are also associated with Hanukkah. Serve your sufganiyot on their own or in a spread of your favorite Hanukkah desserts!

Gelt

No Hanukkah food traditions are complete without gelt, the gold wrapped chocolate coins that are used to barter with during the traditional game of dreidel. A dreidel is a top with four sides, each with a different letter representing a word in a Hebrew saying that means “a great miracle happened there” (referring to Israel, where the Hanukkah story took place).

To play dreidel, players each start with several pieces of gelt and take turns spinning the top. Depending on which letter the dreidel lands on, players have to give or take gelt from the center “pot.” The game ends when one player wins all of the gelt.

Most people use store-bought geltit’s readily available at many retailers in December or online any time of year. You can also use pennies, M&M’s or make homemade gelt.

Hanukkah Cookies

Hanukkah cookies may not be as traditional as latkes or sufganiyot, but they’re a popular way to celebrate the holiday. Common cookie shapes for Hanukkah include dreidels, menorahs (the nine-pronged Hanukkah candle holder) and stars of David.

To mix up your sweets spread, include some other sweets like chocolate-stuffed dreidel cookies, rugelach, mandelbrot or slices of chocolate babka.

Brisket

Some common Hanukkah foods like brisket are also popular at other Jewish holidays, like Passover and Rosh Hashanah. Different from Texas-style barbecue brisket, Jewish brisket is braised with liquid like red wine or even Coca Cola, as well as vegetables like carrots, onions and potatoes.

Editor’s Tip: When you’re buying brisket meat, look for a piece with lots of marblingit’ll make for a more flavorful dish.

Kugel

Kugel is an easy-to-make and easy-to-personalize casserole dish that can be served sweet or savory. Sweet versions use an egg noodle base and usually include cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, cinnamon and raisins. Savory versions use a shredded potato basewhich makes it great for Passoverand may include garlic, onions and other vegetables.

Rugelach

Rugelach is a popular Jewish dessert that’s enjoyed at different holidays and celebrations, including Hanukkah. These little rolled cookies are made using a cream cheese dough, which cooks up as a light, flaky pastry. There are endless fillings for rugelach recipesfrom fruity raspberry and apricot to sweet chocolateand they often include chopped nuts, like walnuts.

Mandelbrot

Mandel bread, technically known as Mandelbrot, is a favorite Jewish cookie that is similar to biscotti. Translating to “almond bread,” these long and crispy double-baked cookies are perfect for dipping in coffee or tea, but they can be enjoyed on their own as well. Serve it as a Hanukkah dessert studded with chocolate chips, nuts or dried fruit.

Challah

Challah is a braided, egg-based bread that’s served on Shabbat and at nearly every Jewish holiday meal. Usually, you’ll find it topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds or just a nice egg wash, except for on Rosh Hashanah when it will be filled with raisins and rolled into a circle. Challah is easy to make with the whole family, and kids love rolling out the strands and braiding it.

Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken is a beloved dish for Jewish holidays, and Hanukkah is no exception. Make one of our whole roast chicken recipes during any night of Hanukkah, then be sure to save all the bones for homemade chicken stock.

Editor’s Tip: To get the skin extra crispy, salt your chicken up to 24 hours ahead of time, stored uncovered in the fridge so the skin dries out.

Matzo Ball Soup

It’s not a Jewish holiday without matzo ball soup, aka everyone’s favorite Jewish penicillin. You can make homemade matzo balls or save time and use the box mix, which is still delicious. I like to add chopped herbs like dill, parsley and cilantro to my matzo balls.

Editor’s Tip: For fluffy matzo balls, make sure not to overmix the batter so the balls stay light and float to the top of the soup.

Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots are a staple on Jewish holidays, but they’re especially nice on Hanukkah to balance out all the fried foods. They’re often drizzled in something sweet like pomegranate molasses, honey or maple syrup, which helps them caramelize while they’re roasting. Serve roasted carrots alongside your brisket or roasted chicken.

Olive Oil Cake

The main ingredient in olive oil cake isyou guessed itolive oil. This is the perfect food to eat on Hanukkah to celebrate the miracle of the oil, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s so delicious. Olive oil cake is moist and fluffy, and can easily be personalized to your taste with different flavors or glazes. Lemon olive oil cake and chocolate olive oil cake are just two examples!

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Even though they’re not fried, pan-seared Brussels sprouts can get nice and crispy. They’re also a great way to get some greens on your Hanukkah plate. Try one of our favorite Brussels sprouts recipes, and make sure to use fresh sprouts versus frozen for the best flavor.

The post 15 Traditional Hanukkah Food Ideas for Your Celebration appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 2 cups butter, softened
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• ICING:
• 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 4 teaspoons meringue powder
• Blue and yellow paste food coloring

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 3 (3-1/2 ounces each) dark chocolate candy bars, melted
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, finely chopped

Latkes

Latkes are the star of Hanukkahthough it certainly doesn’t have to be Hanukkah to make these perfectly crispy potato pancakes. Try them with classic toppings like applesauce or sour cream, or get a little wild with latke toppings like pomegranate seeds, smoked salmon or pepper jelly.

“These potato and onion pancakes are tasty at any meal. For the ultimate crispiness, squeeze out all the liquid from the grated veggies before you fry them up.” Taste of Home Test Kitchen

The post 43 Hanukkah Recipes for This Year’s Celebration appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 to 7 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each), broken into 2-section pieces
• 2-1/2 cups vanilla frosting
• White and light blue paste food coloring

Ingredients

• 3 cups cubed peeled butternut squash (1-inch pieces)
• 1 large potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
• 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon plus 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
• 2 pounds ground turkey
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups frozen peas (about 8 ounces)

Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing

It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I spent a lot of time on this roast. But it’s actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the meat department ahead of time. Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

The post 39 Impressive Dinners for Your Cooking Bucket List appeared first on Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 1 beef brisket (3 to 3-1/2 pounds), cut in half
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup grape jelly
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 tablespoons dark corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• BRISKET:
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 fresh beef brisket (2 to 2-1/2 pounds), trimmed

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• FILLING:
• 1 cup 4% cottage cheese
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• CHERRY SAUCE:
• 1 pound fresh or frozen pitted sweet cherries
• 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Ingredients

• 1 fresh beef brisket (3 to 4 pounds), trimmed and cut in half
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Ingredients

• 1 fresh beef brisket (2-1/2 pounds)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cups canned garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pita bread wedges or assorted fresh vegetables

Ingredients

• 10 cups water
• 12 garlic cloves, peeled
• 3 medium carrots, cut into chunks
• 3 small turnips, peeled and cut into chunks
• 2 medium onions, cut into wedges
• 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 medium leek (white portion only), sliced
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• MATZO BALLS:
• 3 large eggs, separated
• 3 tablespoons water or chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons rendered chicken fat
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 3/4 cup matzo meal
• 8 cups water

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups butter, softened
• 1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 ounces almond paste
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Wooden skewers or lollipop sticks
• ICING:
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 4 teaspoons evaporated milk
• Food coloring of your choice

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 unsalted matzo crackers
• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon shortening
• 1 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 fresh beef brisket (3 pounds)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
• 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon each ground allspice, cardamom and cloves
• 1/2 cup ground walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup pitted dates
• 1/2 cup candied lemon peel
• 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup candied orange peel
• 3 tablespoons candied pineapple
• GLAZE:
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup hot brewed Easy Espresso