How to Cook a Festive Hanukkah Meal

A delicious dinner that incorporates festive Jewish traditions can be the best part of your Hanukkah celebration with family and friends.

Step 1: Fry something Fry something to signify the oil used to keep the Hanukkah lights burning. It can be traditional latkes or anything else you can imagine.
TIP: Making homemade applesauce or creme fraiche to serve in place of sour cream alongside latkes can liven up the traditional presentation.
Step 2: Serve a main course Serve comfort food as a main course for your dinner. Brisket or pot roast are always popular choices, but you can substitute a vegetarian alternative such as noodle kugel.
Step 3: Add nutrition Cook a healthy but delicious side dish such as oven roasted beets or green beans tossed with a light dressing of olive oil and sea salt.
Step 4: Make dessert Make homemade jelly doughnuts from refrigerated biscuit dough. Fill with jelly and fry in vegetable oil, then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Called sufganiyot, they are a traditional Israeli Hanukkah treat, and a perfect finale to a Hanukkah meal.
FACT: Fasting during Hanukkah is forbidden under Jewish custom, even to mark the anniversary of a loved one's death.