Traditional Chanukah food ideas for dummies: simple ideas to prepare food for Chanukah; there are quite a few. I love Chanukah, because in my dictionary, Chanukah time is food time. Every year during the first day of Chanukah, I get invited to some party or the other. I have no complaints because, the Chanukah food is simply yummy though they ooze out cheese and oil. In the beginning I used to wonder, how do the Jewish folks manage to produce such awesome food during Chanukah. I also used to wonder if their dishes had secret recipes that are kept well guarded. The good news is that the cooking Chanukah food is not rocket science. The food only tastes good because it has been made time and time over again. You and I can get there soon..

Amateur Potato Latkes:

There is no Chanukah without the potato latkes. It would be sacrilege, darling, if there are no potato latkes. They are quite simple to make. Grate potatoes and onion, and squeeze out their juices in a stainer. Then mix egg, salt, pepper, flour and baking powder with the grated potatoes and onions. The next step is to fry them. Make sure that the mixture is not that watery and it is semi-solid enough to be fried. Serve them hot with apple sauce. Simple, isn't it.

Cabbage Soup for the Beginner's Soul:

This certainly has to be the simplest soup in the history of all Chanukah soups. All you need in some chopped cabbage, onions, baby tomatoes, apples, salt, sugar, lemon zest, ketchup and of course water. Allow them to simmer for an hour. Voila, your soup is ready!

Fried Cheeseballs for the Busy Bee:

Most of us know the story of how Judith the Jewish maiden saved her village from the despicable Babylonians. We also know that to honor her, people eat cheese every year at Chanukah. You can honor her too by making these yummy and super quick fried cheese balls. All you need to do is dip the cheese bits in a batter made from eggs, flour and pepper and fry them till the crust is golden brown. Serve them with a spicy salsa sauce.

Potato Fritters for the First timers:

Potato fritters are child's play; quite literally. My ten year old niece makes them in no time. All you need to do is cut potatoes like how you would cut for french fries. Next, dip them in a batter of flour, salt, pepper and baking powder. Finally, fry them. Pronto. There you have it. You are now the proud cook who made potato fritters for the first time.

Strawberry Sufganiyot for the Struggling Cooks:

The simplest way is just to buy them or help someone who is making it. Why buy them because you cannot have a Chanukah without these yummy Sufganiyot? I get restless in a Chanukah party if I don't sink my teeth in some Strawberry Sufganiyot. Kids love it and so do the adults.

Mazel tov and Happy Chanukah!

Image courtesy: gazettefood.wordpress.com