Take the upcoming holiday of Chanukah and the traditional food favorite, latkes. Growing up in my household we ate the best – traditional Idaho potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce. These days, many people still follow those recipes, but if you go online, it’s possible to expose your palate to different tastes. And people are definitely interested in trying new things, like un-fried latkes.
Due to high demand, this year I actually created eight new healthy Chanukah Quick & Kosher delicacies including South of the Border latkes served with Black beans, Samosa latkes, Steakhouse latkes, Sweet Potato latkes with gingered sour cream and non-potato latkes made from cauliflower and carrots and, since you now have calories to spare, baked sufganiot (which really are delicious).
From lovingly passing down recipes through word of mouth, to cookbook collections, to the World Wide Web, we have certainly come a long way in the world of food interest and preparation.
And while there are some who worry about possible ill effects of this modern technology on our Jewish traditions, I firmly believe it’s a blessing. When used properly, the Internet will not hinder but will help us hold on to treasured memories of food and family as well as move us forward into the future with new, exciting and, yes, tasty opportunities.
In ten years we’ve added oat, spelt and millet matzah to the world. What will the next ten years bring – quinoa matzah? I can hear bubbie saying: Millet, schmillet. Ah, progress what a mechayah!
Jamie Geller is chief marketing officer at Kosher.com, author of “Quick & Kosher: Recipes From The Bride Who Knew Nothing,” a regular contributor to The Jewish Press and an award winning TV producer. For more articles, blogs, tips, tricks, shopping and her Healthy Chanukah recipes visit her at www.Kosher.com.
