My First Latkes

A couple weeks ago, before the first night of Hanukkah, I gathered with my future Sister-In-Law, Lisa, and her roommates and friends for a festive night of cookie baking (see below post), holidays movie watching (Love, Actually), and wine drinking (of course). But no Christmas celebration could be complete without...Latkes? Luckily, one of our crew was a Hanukkah celebrator (aka, Jewish) and delighted us with the best Latkes I have ever had. Actually, I think they were the only Latkes I have ever had, but I don't ever expect to have better Latkes. Latkes with a capital L, because they deserve proper-noun status.  Apparently the chef (the one and only Emily Josephs) got the recipe from Gwyneth Paltrow's blog, goop, but the Latkes she (Emily) turned out were way better (looking) than Gwyneth's (no offense, Gwyn). Let me paint you a picuture...hearty potatoes and crisp apples molded together into a perfect patty, then deep fried in oil until crisp and golden brown. It's like hash browns on steroids. But wait, there's more. Top the latkes (whoops, Latkes) with creme fraiche, smoked salmon, and dill. Put them alongside a salad of peppery arugula, lemon and Parmesan, and you have yourself Latke nirvana. Hyperbole? I think not. Try for yourself. How do you like them Latkes?

For those who celebrate it, happy (belated) Hanukkah! And thank you for your Latkes! 

Tis' the Season

I love the holidays. That stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas is truly magical to me. I love the twinkling lights. I love the music. I'm one of those who listens exclusively to Christmas music from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. I love the hustle and bustle of shoppers in the city. Finding that perfect gift. Wrapping presents. I love holiday movies. Christmas Vacation. Love Actually. Miracle on 34th Street. I love the anticipation of no work. No school. Being with your closest family and friends. I love holiday food. Egg nog. Gingerbread. The Ritz crackers that come in the shape of snowflakes and the Oreo cookies dipped in white chocolate. Snow-reos...


Most of all I love baking holiday cookies! Rolling out the sugar cookie dough (we used this recipe), getting covered in flour. Cookie-cuttering. Making snowmen and bells, stockings and stars. Eating the dough. Frosting them with red and green and sprinkles. No matter how ridiculous they turn out, they always look festive and taste delicious! And at the end of the night everyone has their favorite cookie that no one can eat...Mr. Snowman is mine.