Chanukah is a spiritual time filled with the possibility of accomplishing that which appears impossible. The Maccabees won over the powerful Greeks in spite of the odds. They won not because they were the most prepared, the most numerous, or had the most weapons. They won because they showed up and tried, and Hashem was with them.
When we know Hashem is with us, we, too, can truly do anything, even what appears to the outside eye as impossible. We need only decide what we want to do. I feel strongly about this. (Yes, vanilla and Trader Joe’s are only two of my hot buttons; I have others!) I strongly believe that each of us is solely responsible for his or her life. You get to choose how you act and who you are today, no matter what experiences you’ve gone through. It doesn’t matter what your parents did or didn’t do, or what your friends, colleagues, or bosses did or thought. Today is your day, and only you are in charge of your life.
I love the story about being in a train station. You can pick which train to get on. However, even while you are on that train that you yourself picked, you can get off and switch directions. Yeah, it’s easier to get off at a station, but it’s “possible” to get off even when the train is moving. (Okay, I’m not recommending it in the literal sense; let’s presume we’re in a metaphorical world.) I like this story for two reasons: First, you should take a moment before making your decision so you don’t end up getting on a train going to the wrong place. But I also like this story because, if you realized you got on the wrong train, you can get off and pick a new direction. Maybe you’ll have to walk through the weeds for a little bit; maybe there’s a bog in the way. But eventually, you’ll come to a road, and it’ll get easier.
What happens, though, if you have to go through the weeds and the bog and then come up against what appear to be insurmountable odds? The answer is that the very process of trying yields positive results. Does it always go the way we had planned at the outset? No. It does not. However, I have found in my life that things often have a way of “breaking” my way. The surfer gets to ride the perfect wave only if she paddled out there and was waiting for it. She might have had 100 runs of okay waves. But because she “showed up,” because she was on the ocean waiting, when the perfect wave came, she was there.
It’s the same thing with life. We all have dreams, and plans. And we know about writing the plan down, and making concrete steps towards the goal. (What are my goals? One of them is that I want to reach 1,000 followers on Instagram. If you want to follow me, I’d find it a personal favor: @sweetandgoodcatering.) This is the time to take a first step toward your dream. When you make an opening the size of an eye of a needle, Hashem can turn that into the opening of a humungous cave. Let’s be on this journey together, and use this spiritual time wisely. Let’s pick the train we want to get on and at the same time make the world a better, warmer, more light-filled place.
Treasure-Box Chanukah Cookies
These cookies are fantastically fun. You can use any sugar cookie recipe of your choosing. In fact, I made a quick call to Shira Perlman of Delightfully Sweet fame, and she said she’s selling cookie dough in three flavors: funfetti, original, and chocolate, if you don’t have time to make your own dough. Once the cookies are made, you can decorate the tops however you want. I got the dreidel cookie cutters from Seven-Mile Market. (I am happy to share them with you if you do not have your own cookie cutters.) Try to pull your cookies out of the oven before they turn brown; I overbaked mine. My cookies were crunchy and still got eaten, but if you want softer cookies, set a timer.
2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine (softened)
1 egg
Fillings
1 package of blue Oodles
1 package of mint lentils
1 package small chocolate coins (gelt), unwrapped
1 package Dinosaur Sprinkles
Mix together the flour, sugar, butter, and egg until combined. Roll out dough, and cut with desired cookie cutter to 1/2-inch thickness. Transfer cut cookies onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes at 350° F. Makes 8 to 15 cookies (depending on size of cutter).
To make the “treasure box” for the filling, turn one cookie upside down (the bottom is flatter) and put icing around the entire the edge of the cookie to form a “wall.” Repeat with another layer of icing. Let sit for about 10 minutes to allow the icing to get firmer. Then fill with desired filling. (See photo.)
You can serve the cookie this way. But if you want a top on the treasure box (photos with Magen Davids and gimmel on them), decorate another cookie with icing and sprinkles. Then, for a sealed treasure box, place the iced cookie on the filled cookie before the icing on the first cookie has completely set. The cookies will then stick to each other. If you want to be able to lift the lid on and off, wait for the icing on the first cookie to set completely, and then place the lid on top.
Chanukah Gelt Hot Chocolate
I was first introduced to the idea of using chocolate bars or chips to make hot chocolate when I was in Israel for seminary. Actually, that is what hot chocolate is – as opposed to hot cocoa, which uses powdered cocoa to flavor the milk. If you have over-bought Chanukah gelt, this is a fantastic way to use it up, while warming your belly. This is a very rich hot chocolate. You can substitute regular milk for the condensed milk and heavy cream, but for the creamiest treat, the following recipe is yum. If you have a dairy crock pot, this is an easy way to have it waiting for you and your kids/guests to drink throughout a cold afternoon.
1/4 c. cocoa powder, sifted
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
7 c. milk
1 c. heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. crumbled chocolate gelt
Crushed mints, marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed gelt, sprinkles
Place the cocoa powder, condensed milk, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract, and gelt in a slow cooker. Stir to combine. This can be done in a regular pot on low heat, but it must be stirred and watched to prevent scorching.
Cook on low setting for 2 hours. Stir well until thoroughly mixed. Turn the slow cooker to the keep warm setting until you’re ready to serve. Garnish with marshmallows, crushed mints, whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed gelt, or whatever you like.
Gluten-Free Cauliflower Latkes
I love latkes, and I often think, in December, why don’t I make latkes all year long? Then after eight days of eating fried latkes, with my tummy saying, “Ugh, that was a lot of oil,” I remember why I don’t eat them all year round. But I love them now. I make a lot of potato latkes (email me if you want my recipe) but this recipe substitutes cauliflower for the potato, making it great for anyone on a low-carb diet, or anyone!
4 c. riced cauliflower
2 beaten eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 c. almond flour (or regular flour)
1/2 c. shredded cheese (optional)
Pinch of pepper
Canola oil
If you are using frozen riced cauliflower, defrost and squeeze out any moisture. Mix all ingredients together. Cover the bottom of a large skillet with about 1/4 inch of oil. Heat the oil until hot. Drop the batter by the tablespoon into the hot oil, and fry. Flatten the latkes a little so they cook evenly. Fry for about 3 to 5 minutes, then flip them over for another 3 to 5 minutes. If the batter starts to burn, lower the heat so the latkes cook for the 3 to 5 minutes without burning. When the latkes are cooked, transfer to a plate or 9x13 tin lined with paper towels to catch the extra oil. Enjoy with applesauce and sour cream, if desired.
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