Blogroll | Congregation Darchei Noam

May the world come to realize that peace and a sustainable world depends on social and economic justice and strong action on climate change, both personally and collectively.

See https://www.centralsynagogue.org/news/pray-with-your-feet

Andrew Kaplan Mandel January 12, 2014 

Rabbi Mandel commented on Abraham Joshua Heschel’s remark “I prayed with my feet” in reference to Heschel and the Selma Freedom March in 1965 with Martin Luther King Jr.

Rabbi Mandel said, “When we do something to make the world a better place, when we use our feet to pray… [our whole body] that is real powerful prayer… we should pray …with everything we have, with our computers, with our pens, with our wallets…Whatever we have in our life…” we can make a real difference.

The words of Ben Murano of the New Israel Fund at Darchei Noam’s session on December 4th, “Holding Grief and Hope” and Rabbi Ryan’s teachings inspired this Hanukkah Message.

When you light the Hanukkah Menorah and sing Ma’oz Tzur, Strong rock, think of its traditional meaning as God as our Rock, our help and protector and two meanings of tzur. It can mean rock or flint stone. When in a hard place, think of God as the flint stone that sends your sparks of love and possibilities into the world.

Help the Miracle of Hanukkah become the Miracle of Peace by supporting those who work for peace. And continue to send hope and kindness forward with friendship, and unexpected and thoughtful acts.

Ben spoke about B’Yached, Jews and Arabs together. They are still demonstrating jointly in independent small and large groups in Israel, refusing to let the new conflict turn them into enemies. Where there is struggle, there is hope.

You might know B’Yached as Standing Together, https://www.standing-together.org/en the same grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, and social and climate justice. You can help them by directing donations through the New Israel Fund.

Reflect on the Miracle of Nature at Hannukah and how every being and every object supports and sustains life on earth.

Hanukkah Recipes and latke ideas

Latkes

Joel Troster’s Latka recipe with a glutin-free variation

Joel has modified the latke recipe from “A Treasure for my Daughter.”

He recommends using russet potatoes. They hold up well in frying and come out crispy. Yes, you can use regular and other potato varieties such as the gold flesh ones like Yukon Gold. They produce less moisture and rarely turn brown on grating.

5 Russet Potatoes or enough to fill the food processor bowl.

1 medium onion

2 eggs

2 Tbsp flour or Matzoh meal (Quinoa or rice flour can be used for a gluten-free latka)

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

Oil for frying

Grate the onion and potatoes in a food processor. Mix the shreds together and then process about one quarter of them with until finely chopped. Mix all together and put into a tea towel over a bowl. Squeeze out as much water as possible. Let the water in the bowl sit for a while to let the starch settle. Pour off the water keeping the starch.

Add the potato mixture, eggs, flour, salt and baking powder. Panfry spoonfuls in hot oil until brown and crispy on both sides.

Sweet Potato Latkes

Local sweet potatoes are in season now. Check your Ontario Foodland Calendar for the chart showing the seasonal availability of fruit and vegetables or go to https://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide for the digital version.

First, here are some ideas for sweet potatoes.

Roast Sweet Potatoes

Jeremy’s gas oven method of preparing roast sweet potatoes

He wraps the sweet potatoes individually in aluminum foil and bakes them at 375 F for 1 hour or till soft. For a more environmentally friendly method, simply bake in a covered oven dish. No foil needed.

Gloria’s electric oven method for roasting

Her stove is a convection one but she rarely uses the convection feature. Oven temperatures are set by about 10 F lower than for a conventional oven (and even lower when using the convection feature.) For example for roasting at 325F, the temperature is set at 315 F and for 330F, lowered to 320F.

Sweet potatoes are cut crosswise in half and again lengthwise unless the sweet potatoes are small. Roast side down in a glass 9”x 13” cooking pan, the type you would use for your large kugels. Roast for 1 hour at 330F [320C]. Turn heat down to 325F [315C] and 10 minutes later check the sweet potatoes. Add about 1/8” of water to the bottom of the pan. Depending on doneness, check again in about 45-60 minutes for softness. If more baking time is needed, add water again. Sweet potatoes are done when soft and the bottom of the pan has started to brown showing evidence of the beginning of carmelization. Serve as is.

Roast sweet potatoes can be added to soups and stews. Some sweet potatoes are good for eating straight out of the fridge or packed for lunch.

Sweet Potato Latkes

Makes about 24 latkes

Jonathan has made these sweet potato latkes, a variation of Bonnie Stern’s Middle Eastern recipe. https://nationalpost.com/appetizer/bonnie-stern-its-oil-good-when-it-comes-to-frying-up-a-batch-of-latkes

Stern suggests making large ones for a meal, topped with shredded leftover brisket for dinner or poached or fried eggs for brunch. Her recipe makes 20 latkes.

Jonathan’s Sweet potato latkes recipe

Make it spicy or make it mild.

Ingredients

2 eggs

½ tsp pureed chipotle chilies, chipotle sauce, or preferred hot sauce, (optional)

2 green onions, finally chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or leaf parsley.

1/3 cup all-purpose-flour flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin (optional)

1 1/4 lb sweet potatoes

¼ cup vegetable oil

Preparation

1. Beat the eggs in a large bowl with chipotles, green onions and cilantro. In another bowl combine the flour, salt, baking powder and cumin.

2. Grate sweet potatoes. There is usually little liquid from them. With no cooking onions, there is no worry about any excess liquid.

3. Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Stir in sweet potatoes.

4. Heat oil in a large heavy skillet. Drop batter by tablespoons and flatten with the back of the spoon. Cook one to two minutes per side or until browned and crispy. Add more oil in between batches as necessary. Drain on paper towels.
Makes 20 pancakes

Suggested toppings

Sour cream or thick yoghurt

Pure tahini or homemade tahini sauce

Herbed guacamole

Ilana’s Apple and Pear Sauce, see below

The next one is really interesting, especially for foodies! 

Indian spiced cauliflower latkes https://littleferrarokitchen.com/wprm_print/28155

Samantha Ferraro’s pictures and comments

https://littleferrarokitchen.com/indian-spiced-cauliflower-latkes-with-cilantro-chutney/

Ilana’s Apple and Pear dessert sauce

Use it to top latkes, ice cream, and other desserts or by itself.

Ingredients, Preparation and Comments

Use 4 Gala apples or more for a large crowd; Ilana says you can use your favourite apple. Only use Macs if you wish a smoother result.    

4 Bartlett pears, an equal amount or less; Bosc and other pears can be used.

The recipe with 4 medium sized apples and one large pear makes about 4-5 servings.

4 large apples and 4 pears make about 10-12 servings

Wash and peel the fruit

Cut the fruit into chunks and place into a pot.

Add date syrup, honey, maple syrup, or preferred sweetening according to taste (notes: 1. Sweetening is optional; the pears might add enough sweetness. 2. Date syrup has a lower glycemic index compared to other sweeteners.)

Flavour with a dash of cloves.

Other flavour options with or by themselves

1. Spices, cinnamon, allspice, or cardamom.. Go lightly on the spices as not to overpower the sauce.

2. Other options are vanilla, or lemon juice.

You can add sultana or golden raisins to cook with the fruit

Add about a ¼” of water to the pot. Cover. Add more water as it cooks if necessary.

Cook until fruit has reached desired tenderness and the sauce is still chunky. Cook for 20-30 minutes.

Enjoy it as is, or as a latke topping.  For latkes it should be thick.  As a dessert topping that pours, use more water. 

B'tayavon, Bon Appétit and Happy Hanukkah!