3 New Chanukah Food Ideas

Hanukkah brings warmth and brightness during the depths of winter. To commemorate the Hanukkah story, when a scrappy Judean army recaptured the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and found a jar of oil that miraculously lit the menorah for eight days and nights, Jewish families traditionally enjoy foods fried in oil — most famously potato latkes. When it comes to the holidays, I find that tradition tastes best when it gets the chance to play, which is why this year I'm cooking up variations on Hanukkah favorites, like an oversize skillet latke that delivers all of the crunchy charm of the classic fritters in one go. I'll pair it with saucy, tender chicken, braised brisket-style and brimming with flavor. Then I'll bake up a batch of savory onion jam rugelach to snack on throughout the festivities.