32 Comments

All recipes should be in this format.

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

I only started spelling it with a CH after Chaya Leah yelled at me! <3 Happy חנוכה

Hebrew is much easier

Expand full comment

To be fair, native English speakers have a hard time with that "ch" sound.

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

I had to stipulate when my husband chose our daughters Hebrew name there were no Chs. I forgot to stipulate that he needed to know how to spell it.

Expand full comment

I forgot to say. It took me 3 times to see you haf written Hannulah in Hebrew because my mom has taken to texting half in Hebrew and half in English. So I cant even see the difference anymore.

Also. My mom's friend' s grandson insisted that the "ch" in Chanukah should be princes like in Christmas because he knows how to read now

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

I will be a pariah, but I like mine plain. I'm not a fan of either sour cream (except in a 3 layer cheesecake recipe we got from Bon Appetit 40 years ago) or applesauce. Some in my family like it with ketchup. I don't. But I will have horseradish sauce with the brisket we make.

Expand full comment

I’m right there with you, Philip! I’m not a huge fan of either apple sauce or sour cream.

I suddenly wonder what the tiniest bit of hot honey would do to a latke. I realize my grandparents would be turning in their graves at the blasphemy....

Expand full comment

Me too!

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

My non-Jewish coworkers are currently having a heated debate over this 🤣 Hanukkah Fever has arrived on the shores of New York.

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Applesauce!

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Applesauce. 💯

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Both! 100% of the time!

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

All of the above... but also apple butter and fresh herbs on top of the sour cream

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Both but not mixed.

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Being a lifelong Southerner, I have never had a proper latke. (A nearly unbelievable admission unless you too are a Gentile planted and grown in Appalachia.) I do enjoy the flourless potato pancake, however. I always dip them in applesauce, much to my friends' disgust. They are content with plain.

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Both! Can't wait to eat them tomorrow!

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

It was applesauce when I was a kid, but now it’s sour cream or both.

Expand full comment

I’m going to start to read Sarah’s book Blackout. I’m overseas in Baghdad and had a terrifying experience recently when I fell down and busted my head. I was detained by the police and kicked out of my hotel. No hotel would accept me.

I ended up in a mental hospital where they had a detox which is not that helpful, despite them being nice people.

There’s a lot more to the story but basically it was the most terrifying thing I’ve gone through and I’m still pretty shaken. I lost my job and feel like I destroyed my life. I ended up where I literally couldn’t walk and could barely stand and we had to go through checkpoints.

It’s really a terrifying thing addiction.

Expand full comment

Yes it is. I'm a member of the club myself and definitely recommend Sarah's book.

Expand full comment

Beat description of latkes - oil with some potatoes mixed in.

But I am not into it this year. I had chocolate my mom brought from Israel. Tonight. Sufganya.

Expand full comment

I've never had latkes but I vow to make some. I'm thinking sour cream all the way.

Expand full comment

Oh, I'm really glad this is the topic of the day because I'm looking for a good cookbook of Jewish American favorites. Latkes, rugelach, challah, borscht. Any recommendations?

Expand full comment

Anything by Joan Nathan

Expand full comment
Dec 21, 2022Liked by Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Oh thank you!!! I saw that name flash by on my Amazon search.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, Joan Nathan. Who years ago had me over for tea and cake! She's lovely and the real deal. Also contributes to https://www.tabletmag.com/

Expand full comment

nancy is there anyone you haven't met!?!

Expand full comment

Phil, guess what I made yesterday? Borscht with homemade brisket broth! It was amazing. From this cookbook by Darra Goldstein. https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-North-Wind-Recipes-Cookbook/dp/0399580395

Expand full comment

jessemy, that sounds wonderful. Brisket broth is so rich and full of flavor. Get a good fresh Challah, still warm from the oven, rip off a hunk and dip. We Jews are all abourt the dip. Jusy look at what we do during Pesach Seder.

Expand full comment

Mmmmm

Expand full comment

Next project is challah!

Expand full comment

sour cream!

Expand full comment
author

Me too!

Expand full comment