Hanukkah dishes with a healthy twist
| 3 min read
Like most Jewish holidays, Hanukkah is a wonderful chance to eat some amazing food like latkes (potato pancakes) and jelly doughnuts. But while they are definitely tasty, the traditional dishes aren’t always healthy (many are fried to represent the miracle of the oil lasting eight days instead of one). With two days left to celebrate, why not try shaking things up and making healthier versions of the classics? Get inspired by these updated favorites that combine both holiday flavor and feel-good ingredients.
Traditional: Latkes with Applesauce
Healthy Twist: Sweet Potato Latkes
Healthy Twist: Sweet Potato Latkes
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 large white potato
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 6 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Coarsely grate the potatoes and finely dice the onion. Add both to large bowl; stir in beaten eggs. Thoroughly mix in flour, salt and pepper.
- In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Scoop in spoonfuls of the potato pancake mixture and flatten with a spoon or spatula. Cook until bottom is browned, then flip and brown other side.
- Add the cooked pancakes to the baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven until the rest are finished.
Nutritional Information (Makes 4 servings; 1 serving = 4 latkes)
Per serving: 300 calories; 16g total fat; 620mg sodium; 32g carbohydrates; 6g protein; 4g fiber
Per serving: 300 calories; 16g total fat; 620mg sodium; 32g carbohydrates; 6g protein; 4g fiber
Traditional: Noodle Kugel
Healthy Twist: Apple-Noodle Kugel
Healthy Twist: Apple-Noodle Kugel
Ingredients
- 6 cups cooked yolk-free wide egg noodles
- 1 large apple, thinly sliced (1½ cups)
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 carton (8 ounce) fat-free egg substitute
- 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
- 1 container (6 ounce) fat-free vanilla yogurt
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- Spoon noodles into pan and top with apples and raisins.
- Blend all remaining ingredients in a food processor. Pour mixture over noodles in pan.
- Bake uncovered for 1 hour or until top is light brown and center is set.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 360 calories; 3g total fat; 350mg sodium; 70g carbohydrates; 12g protein
Per serving: 360 calories; 3g total fat; 350mg sodium; 70g carbohydrates; 12g protein
Traditional: Braised Brisket
Healthy Twist: Cranberry Brisket
Healthy Twist: Cranberry Brisket
Ingredients
- 1 (3 pound) beef brisket
- 1 cup Catalina salad dressing
- 1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
- 1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place brisket in a 13-by-9-inch pan.
- Combine dressing, soup mix and cranberries in a medium bowl. Pour mixture over brisket and cover pan with foil.
- Cook brisket for 3-4 hours or until brisket is extremely tender.
Nutritional Information (Makes 16 servings)
Per serving: 341 calories; 27.9g total fat; 369mg sodium; 7.7g carbohydrates; 1.1g fiber; 14.4g protein
Per serving: 341 calories; 27.9g total fat; 369mg sodium; 7.7g carbohydrates; 1.1g fiber; 14.4g protein
Photo credit: Ruocaled
