As I was frying funnel cakes in the kitchen tonight, batter came pouring out of my makeshift piping bag and I groaned saying, "ugh, kitchen disaster" Shortly after I heard a little voice (Shalom) ask, "why do you seem to have so many kitchen disasters on Chanukah?" (and trust me I had all sorts of interesting kitchen experiences this holiday) After giving a little giggle, I answered that I must have more kitchen challenges simply because I've been spending more time in the kitchen.
What have I been doing in the kitchen? Frying things of course! Latkes and doughnuts and funnel cakes too! Yes - I am fully aware that all of these treats aren't exactly health food. So the question is why? Why have I spent so much time creating all of these yummy treats?
The simple reason is that I want my family to enjoy celebrating Chanukah. I want my children to anticipate something exciting on each and every day of Chanukah. My wish is for my children to celebrate this holiday with incredible happiness and joy - and to remember the reason we celebrate, to remember how the Maccabees fought for what was right - and just how lucky we are that we can study Torah and do Mitzvot without fear of being oppressed.
And so we baked cookies, fried latkes, doughnuts and funnel cakes, had a Chanukah gelt treasure hunt and certainly lit the Menorah and happily sang Chanukah songs.
Each night as we lit the Menorah time seemed to stand still - and for those few minutes my world felt perfect. Messes, and homework, and deadlines and other daily challenges seemed to fade away. Seeing my kids shining, smiling faces in the glow of the flames warmed my heart. Singing Haneirot Hallalu together as a family felt like the perfect family activity. It is these moments that we create with our families that allow Judaism to carry on - it is these moments where we teach our children just how proud we are of our heritage - and how important it is to keep the flames burning each and every year.
While I promised not to make doughnuts for a very long time, I am going to share the recipe in case you want to make doughnuts too! Please consider yourself warned, these doughnuts are incredibly yummy. In the past, my efforts at doughnut making haven't had any incredible results - these doughnuts are different! (Special thanks to my cousin Rashi in Alpharetta who shared the recipe with me) Here is my adaptation of the recipe.
Fluffy Doughnuts
1/2 cup warm water
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3/4 cup orange juice (I know my cousins have made them with coconut milk, milk or soymilk as well)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
4 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
Glaze
1 tbsp water (may need more to thin a little)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar
In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. (I add a little bit of sugar to help the yeast proof.) Once the yeast has bubbled, add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
Roll dough out and cut out the doughnuts using a wide mouthed glass or cookie cutter. Use a small cup or cookie cutter to cut out the holes. (I used one of those little cups that comes with children's liquid medicines..that was one of my kitchen disasters.) Heat about two inches of oil to 350 degrees. (I use an electric skillet to maintain an even temperature.) Place doughnuts - and the holes - in the oil and fry. After a few minutes flip them over and fry for another minute or two. Doughnuts should be light brown. Glaze the doughnuts or dust them with powdered sugar. Enjoy!
