Everything I made for Hanukkah Dinner - December 2025
We had my in-laws and sister-in-law over for a Hanukkah dinner and here is everything I made for the dinner. It was quite a feast, with some traditional Hanukkah and Jewish meal staples.
This is a Middle Eastern slow cooked tomato and pepper dip that was perfect on the fresh challah.
I made some fresh challah because while it was a Hanukkah dinner, it did fall on a Friday night, so we celebrated Shabbat as well. Not to brag, but my recipe is really perfect.
Brisket
This is my dad’s recipe for brisket that I grew up with. I have had many-a-brisket over the years, and I have to say, this truly reigns supreme. It is tender and juicy and just really hard to beat. I haven’t posted a recipe on it yet, but maybe that is coming soon!
Kasha varnishke is also something I grew up. Kasha is a roasted buckwheat groat that is commonly found in Eastern European and Jewish cooking. Kasha varnishke combines the kasha with carrots, onions, and celery, simmered in a broth and tossed with pasta. This is comfort food in a bowl for me and serves as the perfect vehicle for the brisket gravy.
Latkes (with sour cream and apple sauce)
Of course, it isn’t Hanukkah without some latkes, or potato pancakes. This is also my dad’s recipe, and they came out perfectly. I served them with sour cream and apple sauce, and I will be posting the recipe soon!
Green Salad
This has been my go-to winter green salad. I toss little gem lettuce with radicchio, and shaved fennel and persimmons. Everything gets tossed together with a lovely dressing of olive oil, sweet white vinegar, confit garlic, salt and pepper.
Sufganiyot and Red Wine Brownies
My mother-in-law made homemade sufganiyot (or jelly donuts) and I made Broma' bakery’s red wine brownies.
