Hanukkah's Oily Delights !

Sufganiyot... what a Hanukkah delight. A marvelous fried jelly filled 'doughnut'. Depending on where you buy them they will either b light and fluffy or a cousin to a hockey puck. When our children were in kindergarten, we went on a field trip (in the States) to Krispie Kreme Doughnuts. It was fascinating to see how the doughnuts were made (and the few samples were nice too) It was fully automated.

Moshe Sharabi has been operating the Magdaniyat Pe'er bakery for 42 years. His doughnuts are made by hand.. After seeing this video, The 2 Spies will have to head to Magdaniyat Pe'er Bakery in Jerusalem to taste for ourselves.

Hag Sameach

A Sabba for Hanukkah

Hanukkah will be upon us as we close out Shabbat and begin a new week. What a marvelous time to enter the celebration. Fun filled festivities with family and food and fire-lit candles (can I get any more words in there that begin with 'f' ??)

In the family the Sabba is so very important to this celebration. Through his learned eyes and keen intellect, he is able to weave the story of Hanukkah of the past with a story for the present. Only a Sabba can make life so relevant but enjoyable at the same time. He can present and maintain the delicate balance of being a people who have enemies and a G-d who is always present~ our Shomer (guard).

But many of us do not have such a Grandfather. This spy did not. So, we have determined, for at least the next few moments, to 'borrow' a Sabba. We are happy to share him with you to further your enjoyment of this marvelous remembrance of battle & victory.

Happy Hanukkah.

Time to Sing!

Hanukkah begins in only 4 more nights~Time for some Hanukkah music around The 2 Spies house~

~Enjoy~

We kindle these lights [to commemorate] the saving acts, miracles and wonders which You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy priests. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for Your salvations.

Almost Hanukkah!

One week from last night will begin the celebration of Hanukkah. We want to write more about Hanukkah ~ which we will another day~ but right now we want to focus on the joy of all holidays~ food~
Every celebration has it's own special culinary delight and Hanukkah is no different. Traditionally foods that have some measure of oil involved are the basis for Hanukkah eating. The most popular are latkes and sufganiyot.

Yummy.. and jelly filled

The sufganiyot have been available in the bakeries for several weeks already. The 2 Spies have resisted taking a taste so far~ preferring to savor the calorie-laden goodies during the hag. There are so many varieties of fillinf here in the Land~ vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, praline and of course many types of jelly filling. One dear friend who has diabetes keeps looking for a sugar-free sufganiyot. Let us know if you find one.

Everyone has their own version of latkes. A little like the matzah balls at Pesach there are 'special' ingredients or techniques to making the perfect latkes. Our grand daughter couldn't eat white potatoes one year so her Ima made latkes out of sweet potatoes and green zucchini. DELICIOUS~ And of course all of these are served with heaping spoons of sour cream and applesauce.

Later this week The 2 Spies will have all our grandchildren over for a cookie-decorating party. The cookies in this photo are an ideal. I am certain that ours will have much character and pizazz if not be so artistic~





Do you have a favorite Hanukkah recipe? Would you like to share it with the readers? Send it to us at the2spies@gmail.com and we'll be happy to share it.