happy hannukah.

yes, now that i can read hebrew, i know it starts with a koph, but "channukah" just looks weird to me for some reason.

(speaking of semitic languages, i got an a- in syriac. yay!)

anyway. it's not for dinner tonight, because it's too much work, but here's a recipe:

latkes

3-4 potatoes suitable for frying (i like yukon golds, but russets are the classic frying potato)
1 small or 1/2 large yellow onion
1 cup matzo meal
2 eggs
salt, pepper, and parsley to taste
lots of oil for frying

1. peel the potatoes.

2. grate the onion into a bowl.

3. grate the potatoes on top of the onion to keep the fumes from making everyone cry.

4. beat the eggs and add them with the salt and pepper to the onion-potato mixture. mix well.

5. add the matzo meal a little at a time until the mixture is thick and there is not too much liquid in the bottom of the bowl anymore.

6. pour a tablespoon or two of oil into a frying pan and heat over medium to medium-high heat. there should not be a standing pool of oil; latkes just get pan-fried, not deep-fried.

7. scoop big spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the frying pan and flatten to make patties. when the latkes are crispy on one side, flip over and fry until crisp on the other side. remove to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. continue scooping, adding more oil as necessary until all the latkes are made.

eat! applesauce and sour cream are the traditional toppings.