Our Own Little Hanukkah Miracle

I've been contemplating whether or not to share the news we received on the first day of Hanukkah. Most people would wait until a bit further down the track, but I figure, why not share the good news - it's kind of our own little Hanukkah miracle! Such a blessing should be shared! Mr Bagel and I discovered that we are expecting our 6th baby. It's early days yet, I'm around 5-6 weeks and due toward the end of August 2012. I'm hoping everything will be ok and we'll have a nice healthy bub.

We have chosen to tell the girls, they were all a bit stunned as we already have two babies under 2 years in the house at the moment. By the time this one arrives Sapphire will be almost 2.5 years and Topaz 16 months. As I said, it's exciting news for us and as I haven't shared the news with anyone outside of our immediate family, my blogging friends are first to know! I have decided I will wait a few more weeks until after I have had my first ultrasound and when I'm out of the 'danger period' - when I'm about 12 weeks before I tell my 'local' friends.

I wanted this Hanukkah to be special and being able to spend it with my husband and our 5 girls makes it very special of course, but this new makes it even more special. I wonder if this will be our 6th girl?!?


.... Just another day ....

A Simple and Delicious Latke Recipe

Ok, so I'm sure there are 10 billion Latke recipes around, but I wanted to share the recipe I use anyway! This recipe obviously doesn't make a lot of Latkes, but can be doubled, tripled or whatever you like. I ended up doing 10 times the amounts below which was heaps for two days for my family of 7.


Ingredients:

2 potatoes
1 onion
1 egg
2 tablespoons matzo meal
oil for frying
salt & pepper to taste


Method:

1. Peel potatoes and grate along with the onion into a bowl (a food processor is a life saver for larger amounts!).

2. Place in a colander and press down to drain excess liquid and return to bowl.

3. Mix in lightly beaten egg and matzo meal. Season well.

4. Add tablespoon sized dollops of the mix to a frying pan of hot oil and flatten slightly with an egg flip. Cook until golden on both sides, drain on a paper towel lined plate to soak up excess oil and serve hot with apple sauce or sour cream.

5. Enjoy....but not too many!!


.... Just another day ....

Hanukkah Preparations - Are you ready?

It's the 20th December today, and tonight is the first night of Hanukkah! I'm not sure who is more excited, the girls or I? Without putting to much focus on presents, I must say, I am looking forward to seeing them open their presents over the next 8 nights. As I said, it is not just about presents though, I also am looking forward to lighting the menorah tonight, watching the girls play dreidel and teaching the girls the history behind Hanukkah.

I have been making plans since mid year for Hanukkah and even though last Hanukkah was a good one, I wanted to make this one even better! The past few weeks have really dragged on awaiting the 20th December to finally arrive. Presents have been organised for many weeks, and now, it is a bit hard to believe Hanukkah is almost here!

This morning I put my final preparations in place and went grocery shopping with all 5 of the girls - who, thankfully, were well behaved while we were out (that always makes the trip easier!). Two hours and two trolley loads later, I have finished my grocery shopping also. I have many different recipes lined up for the next 8 days, so look out Kosher Cooking Carnival, I will be submitting a few recipes for the next carnival!! Hmmmm....I wonder if the 8kgs of potatos I brought will be enough for Latkes this year??

This video is one of my favorite for Hanukkah, I'm sure you have all seen it before, but I thought I would share it anyhow :)

Chag Sameach!! Happy Hanukkah to all!!

..... Just another day ....

Gingerbread Dreidels

The first thing Ruby (our 8 year old daughter) asked me this morning when I woke up was, "How many more days to Hanukkah?". With only 2 days until the first night of Hanukkah, I am feeling really good to be so organised this year! The past few weeks have been a bit of a blur with getting presents for all the girls, deciding on food, Hanukkah related learning and activities for the girls. Thanks to the lovely Batya over at me-ander, we now have another activity for the girls.... "pin the candle on the chanukiya". I know the girls will have so much fun with not just playing this game, but also with the 'making' side of it all too. My 3 older girls love anything to do with craft and cooking. Which brings me to the whole point of this post! A few days ago, the girls and I made gingerbread dreidels, they hardly lasted long enough to be iced even after making a double batch! So obviously they were delicious! Here is the recipe for anyone wanting to give them a go.

Ingredients:

• 125g pareve margarine or butter, at room temperature
• 100g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
• 125ml (1/2 cup) molasses
• 1 egg, separated
• 375g (2 1/2 cups) plain flour
• 1 tbs ground ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 150g (1 cup) pure icing sugar, sifted
• 8-10 drops blue liquid food colouring

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
2. Use an electric beater to beat the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add the molasses and egg yolk and beat until combined. Stir in the flour, ginger, mixed spice and baking soda. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Press dough into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
3. Meanwhile, place egg white in a clean, dry bowl. Use an electric beater to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add icing sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Divide icing between 2 bowls - one for white icing, one for blue (or whatever colours you choose). Cover 1 bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Add blue colouring to 1 bowl and stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge.
4. Place the dough between 2 sheets of baking paper and roll out until about 4mm thick. Use a dreidel cutter (or cutter of your choice) to cut out shapes. Place on trays about 3cm apart. Repeat with any excess dough.
5. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until brown. Remove from oven. Transfer to a rack to cool.
6. Place prepared icings in small plastic bags. Cut a small hole in a corner of each bag. Pipe icing over gingerbread to decorate as you choose.

{before icing}

Makes about 25 (depending on cutter size used)
Enjoy!

Just another day ....