In the Jewish tradition Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is a time for singing, rejoicing, and gathering with loved ones. It can also be seen in Nigella Lawson’s terms, as: “a divine ordination to eat deep-fried foods”. Since the central miracle of Hanukkah involved oil, the foods traditionally eaten in celebration of the festival tend to be deep-fried. Ashkenazi Jews typically eat potato latkes, Sephardi Jews eat syrup-drenched fritters (called zalabia or loukoumades), while in Israel soufganiot (jam-filled doughnuts) are common. If you’re planning a party or gathering to celebrate the festival this year, take a look at our collection of Hanukkah-inspired recipes, including a slow-cooked brisket, a comforting kugel recipe, and, of course, some delectable deep-fried foods, from Nigella Lawson’s mini doughnuts to Jessie and Lennie Ware’s latkes.
![Table Manners Latkes](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/tablemannerslatkes-scaled.jpg)
Jessie and Lennie Ware’s Latkes
Latkes are akin to potato rösti or hash browns: little potato cakes, deep-fried until crunchy on the outside and meltingly soft on the inside. They can be paired with anything from apple sauce to caviar.
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Family feasts and mouthwatering meals designed to bring people together.
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From tried and tested Ware family recipes to impressive dinner party dishes.
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![Claudia Roden](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Claudia-Roden_credit_Jamie-Lau-1.jpeg)
Claudia Roden’s Lokshen Kugel (Savoury Noodle Pudding)
A traditional Ashkenazi dish, commonly served on Jewish holidays, kugel is a baked pudding that can be made with noodles or potato, and can be sweet or savoury. This savoury lokshen (or noodle) version from Claudia Roden includes a sweet, Israeli-inspired variation. You can serve this with Jessie and Lennie Ware’s brisket, below.
![Rukmini Iyer Rugelach Recipe](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Rukmini-Iyer-Rugelach-Recipe-scaled.jpg)
Date and Walnut Rugelach
These tender, crescent-shaped biscuits can be filled with jam, nuts, or chocolate, according to you preference. Rukmini Iyer rolls hers up around a swet date and walnut filling.
![Brisket in Cola | Roast](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Brisket-in-Cola-1-1-scaled.jpg)
Jessie and Lennie Ware’s Brisket in Cola
Like Kugel, brisket isn’t specific to Hanukkah, but is served at a range of Jewish holidays, particularly in America. Jessie and Lennie Ware’s version is cooked in cola for four hours until falling apart. Serve it with Claudia Roden’s kugel (above).
![nigella lawson doughnuts](https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/nigella-doughnuts.jpg)
Nigella Lawson’s New Year Doughnuts
These are not traditional soufganiot, the jam-filled mini doughnuts served in Israel during Hanukkah. However, if you want to try something a little different this year, these Dutch-inspired doughnuts from Nigella Lawson fit the bill nicely.