Hanukah (pronouced “khah-noo-kah”) or Chanukah, the festival of the miracle of oil or light ­— celebrates the recapture of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem from the Greeks.

A little jug with just enough oil to light the menorah (a nine-branched candelabrum)for one day was found, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days until more oil was brought.

In commemoration, the Jewish people light the menorah for the eight days of Hanukah (2 – 9 Dec) and enjoy traditional foods such as potato pancakes or latkes (pronouced “laht-kuh”), which are fried in oil.

Potato Latkes

12 large potatoes, grated

3 medium onions, grated

4 eggs, beaten lightly

5 tbs flour

3 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Oil for deep frying

Method

Put the grated potatoes in a clean tea towel and squeeze the liquid out of the mixture.

Do the same for the grated onions. Combine all the ingredients and mix together well by hand.

Put a deep layer of oil – about 1.5 cm  – in a heavy saucepan.

Heat until sizzling.

Form individual pancakes by hand and carefully slide these into the pan.

Fill the pan, but leave room between the pancakes.

When the latkes are nicely browned on one side, turn them carefully and cook until browned on the other side, and crisp on the edges. Remove with a slotted spatula and drain on paper towels.

Serve immediately, with sour cream or applesauce, or sprinkle with granulated sugar.

Main picture - (flickr user/megan.chromik)

* This article was first published in Singapore Magazine (Oct-Dec 2010 issue).