Chicagoist: Roll It and Make It Flat Flat Flat*

billymax85

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:19:06 -0600

It's cool, Laura. I know you didn't mean it offensively. I just know a lot of people who have fairly strong feelings about the idea of a "Jewish Christmas". And even I get sick of people asking me, "Were you ever sad that you didn't have a Christmas tree when all your friends did?" In my family, we celebrate Hanukkah with kind of a mix of the old and new. We definitely light candles, say blessings and play dreidel. But we also exchange gifts, though the greatest gift in my mind is when my grandfather makes latkes. -- Bill

Laura Oppenheimer

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:28:04 -0600

Hi billymax - that was my feeble attempt at humor. I know that Hanukkah isn't really important, and that it's generally celebrated just so Jewish people have an excuse to give/get presents. At least that's why we celebrated it in my family while we seemed to ignore the major holidays (rosh hashonah, etc). I think calling it Jewish Christmas is just sort of funny, but I appreciate you setting the record straight.

sparky

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:25:52 -0600

When I have made latkes or mucver, and I am making a bunch of them, I undercook them a little and then stick in the oven at 350 or 400 and they should get brown and crispy. It also helps to drain them on paper towels so the oil doesn't make them soggy.

Laura Oppenheimer

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:08:07 -0600

billymax85

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:33:23 -0600

For the record, Hanukkah isn't the Jewish Christmas. It's nothing of the sort, in fact. For one, Christmas is a fairly important holiday for those who celebrate it. Hanukkah is fairly low in the Jewish hierarchy of holidays. And the whole gift-giving/getting part of Hanukkah is a modern invention that developed from Hanukkah's proximity to Christmas on the (Christian) calendar. It has almost nothing to do with the holiday itself. I'm not trying to be Mr. Militant Jewish Guy here (and by the way, the latkes sound really good). I just want you guys to get your facts straight. A lot of Jewish people would be offended by the notion that Hanukkah is the Jewish Christmas, and I'm guessing you didn't want to do that.

billymax85

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:08:10 -0600

staticfritz

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:26:27 -0600

whoops on the double post... also, peanut oil is the tastiest, although, not quite as good for you.... it should also be served with cinnamon sugar too

staticfritz

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:15:54 -0600

your latkes will be about a hundred times better if you first wash the grated potatoes in cold water to get all the loose starch out. You'd be amazed how much starch is in there. once the starch is out, they won't turn grey and the resulting latkes will be lighter and more golden-brown delicious.

the new guest number 2

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:52:53 -0600

Is a shit-ton more or less than an ass-ton? When I make potato pancakes and keep them warm in the oven, they tend to get a bit sogged out. Any tips on keeping them crispy until served? Or is that just not possible?