HAPPY HANUKKAH (Chanukah)

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Dec. 18, 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[carlo3b]

HAPPY  HANUKKAH

". . . and May This Festival of Lights bring Blessings
upon you and All Your Loved Ones for Happiness,
for Health, and for Spiritual and Material Wealth,
and May the Lights of Chanukah Usher in the Light of Moshiach
and a Better World for All of Humankind."

The Victory over Antiochus

More than 2000 years ago, the land of Judea was ruled by Antiochus, a tyrannical Syrian king. Even today, people fight wars over their gods, despite claims to value "religious tolerance." But a couple of thousand years ago, religious tolerance didn't exist at all. Religion was as good an excuse as any to oppress a people.

That's precisely what Antiochus did to the Jews: he forbade them to observe the Sabbath or study their religious text, the Torah, and he erected a statue of Zeus in their sacred temple of Jerusalem. Many Jews followed his decrees, because they had no choice; those who resisted were executed.

In 167 B.C., the Jews -- driven to desperation -- rose up against Antiochus. Mattathias, a well-respected priest, gathered together an army and put his five sons in charge. Judah and his brothers wanted a name for their battalion that would signify force and strength; "Maccabee", meaning "hammer", fit the bill. It took three years of fighting, but eventually the Maccabees drove the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem.

Naturally, the Maccabees quickly got rid of the statue of Zeus. Then they cleansed and purified the temple, and rekindled the menorah, a candelabra that symbolized God's Divine Presence. Oddly enough, although it only held enough oil to burn for a single day, the menorah burned for eight. This was the miracle.

 HANUKKAH CUSTOMS: THE MENORAH

About the Menorah
To Jews and non-Jews alike, the menorah, or Hanukkiya, is the most recognizable symbol of Hanukkah. It's usually a nine-branch candelabrum whose candles are lit by a "shamash" or service candle which then takes its own place at the centre of the menorah. The menorah itself is placed in a window or anywhere it can be seen by passers-by.

Lighting the Menorah
On the first night of Hanukkah, a single candle (or oil wick) is lit on the far right side of the menorah. A candle is added, from right to left, each night, and the newest candle is always lit first. Ideally, the candles should be lit as soon as stars become visible in the night sky, but they can be lit late into the night. While the candles are being lit and the blessing given, the whole family and any guests gather to witness the ceremony; everyone is encouraged to participate. By the eighth night, with all eight candles lit, the menorah makes a spectacular sight. And as they did the previous evenings, the candles will continue to shine until they burn themselves out.

The Blessing
The first blessing thanks God for the commandment to "kindle the Hanukkah lights."

  Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-olam Asher Kidshanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel Hanukkah.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, by whose Mitzvot we are hallowed, who commands us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.

The second blessing praises God for the miracle the candles symbolize; it's said as the candles are being lit.
  Baruch Atah Adonia Elohenu Melech Ha-olam She-asa Nissim L'votenu Bayamim Ha-hem Ba-ZmanHa-zeh.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old, at this season.
On the first night of Hanukkah the "shehechiyanu" blessing is included, to signify that this is the first time the Hanukkah lights have been lit this season.

 Hanukkah is a "Festival of Lights" to celebrate the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Syrians, and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The holiday also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

[carlo3b]

I'd sooner eat dried leaves :)

Spit it out. Just eat the good one and walk to the mall and back.. My kind of woman.. LOLOL

[Betteboop]

That would about do it, too!!!

[1st-P-In-The-Pod]

Mmmmmm Thank you!

[nonliberal]

Thank you for posting these. I am not a very good cook but in Iowa, if you can't throw it on the grill, it just is not worth cooking.

[carlo3b]

HOLIDAY LICORICE BISCOTTI

Make these with the kids and get a great memory as well as a great treat.. Merry Christmas.. :)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon anise seeds crushed
• 2 extra large eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon anise extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
1) Combine flour, sugar, anise seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2) Whisk together eggs, lemon juice and anise extract and add to dry ingredients. Mix well.
3) Divide dough in half. Shape each portion into a 10-inch log.
4) Place logs about 4 inches apart on cookie sheet.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until lightly browned. Cool just enough so that the logs can be handled.
Cut each log diagonally into 1/2 inch slices. Lay the slices on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until dry and crisp.

Variations
Almond Biscotti - add 1 cup chopped almonds and 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring instead of anise seeds and extract
Chocolate Chip - add 1 cup of chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mini M&M - add 1 cup of mini M&Ms and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spice - use basic recipe but add 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1 teaspoon nutmeg.

[carlo3b]

 
LowCarb Marinated Lemon Sirloin Steak

• 1 pound steak, your choice of cuts, I use top Sirloin
• 1 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel, (lemon zest)
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup pure olive oil, or vegetable oil
• 2 Tbls. sliced green onion
• 4 tsp. Splenda
• 1 1/2  tsp. sea, or Kosher salt
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. prepared mustard
• 1/8 tsp. pepper


1) Score fat edges of steak. Place meat in a shallow baking dish.
2) Combine remaining ingredients. Pour over steak.
Cover; let stand 4 hours in the refrigerator or overnight, turning steak several times.
3) Remove steak from marinade, reserving marinade. Pat excess moisture from steak with paper towels.
4) Grill steak over medium-hot coals for 17 to 20 minutes. Turn; cook for 15 to 17 minutes more for medium-rare.

Heat reserved marinade on grill.