You know that Chol Hamoed feeling when you’ve planned the day for multiple ages, personalities, and practical needs (especially stressful when it’s not only for your own immediate family), and you try your best to steal glimpses of everyone’s faces to make sure you got it right?

I feel like that on Chanukah sometimes. There are so many plans I want to execute in those hours after lighting the Chanukah candles. I want to have not just a regular supper, but a fun meal — at the perfect temperature, set on a festive table, and including freshly fried latkes. I want to have a game or activity ready, and I want the house to be clean and inviting and ready for the Chanukah scene to start (and not smell like frying, if possible).

It’s asking a lot, I know. If you think about it, it’s somewhat ironic in the sense that Chanukah is unique as it has no rules guiding our schedule and structure of the night. We can just be. Including that special half hour we have after lighting to really just be.

There are no previous attachments when it comes to Chanukah. There’s nothing dictating what we must do. Presents aren’t a must, latkes and doughnuts aren’t a must, great suppers aren’t a must, and trips aren’t a must. We’re in the position to decide. Our role is to choose what to do, and incidentally, when we flow with that positive feeling minus all the expectations, it’s the greatest gift we can give our family.

There might be a particular aspect of creating a festive environment that’s your calling. We hope we can provide ideas and resources to allow you to be your best self — in whatever role is yours.

CHANIE NAYMAN
Food Editor, Family Table
Editor in Chief, Kosher.com

Cookie Blondies

• 20 vanilla sandwich cookies (see note)
• 1 cup milk
• ½ tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Blend cookies with milk in a blender until smooth. When done, add in baking powder and pour into an 8x8-inch (23x23-cm) baking dish lined with parchment paper. Bake for 45 minutes or until the center is set.

Note: You can do this with chocolate sandwich cookies too, and I’ve even seen that people do it with water instead of milk.

Annual Frying Tip Reminder

Keep a simmering pot of water, a halved lemon (or lemon juice in a pinch), and cinnamon on your stove while you’re frying to combat the smell. I keep replenishing the pot all Chanukah long.

Don’t Fry This

Many items can be oven-fried instead of deep-fried. My favorite method is to spray the pan and the food item very well with oil and then put it directly under the broiler for a few minutes on each side.

(Originally featured in Family Table, Issue 823)