I was invited to a Hanukah dinner at a home. We researched online for shops selling kosher wine. The shop we found, Grapevine in Hendon, one of two branches, sold kosher wine and kosher chocolates. We stocked up on kosher wine so that we would be ready for any other event later this year or next year where the hosts or guests might want kosher wine. Grapevine has two branches. One is in Hendon, 20 Bell Lane, NW4 2AD. We got an answerphone, and the website gave one time for closing and the recorded message another. So we aimed at the earlier time, allowing extra time for heavy pre-Xmas evening traffic. The chocolates are available in square or round designs, flat, so you can see the contents. The round ones of mixed chocolates and other items from Fifteen pounds minus a penny, the chocolates only from twenty pounds.
The home which we visited was decorated with all sorts of happy Hanukah items. Banners said Happy Hanukah. A festoon of six-point stars (known as the star of David to Jews and the seal of Solomon to Muslims) in blue and silver was draped across the arched room divider wall. The dining table had Hanukah theme table paper napkins, spinning tops in the forms of a clown and dreidls.
The evening events started with the lighting of Hanukah candles on a hanukiah. (A hanukiah is a nine-branch candlestick.)
The starter for our meal was carrot soup with ginger. And coconut. Recipes say coconut milk. Very colourful. Bright orange. The first time I had tried it. It was excellent.
Latkes
The main course was chicken with vegetables and latkes. Latkes are a favourite of mine. Grated potato fried in oil. A traditional food for Hanukkah because of the symbolism of the oil.
You can eat latkes all year round at B & K Salt Beef bar and deli. Branches are in Hatch End and Edgware.
Donuts
We discussed the fact that donuts with holes in the middle were invented in America. Donuts often had centres which did not get cooked through properly. So, one day, an American cook punched a hole through the middle of a donut and that solved the problem.
After the meal was sat telling stories and spinning the dreidls.
Useful Websites
Wikipedia - Hanukah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
Grapevine Shops
tel> 020 8202 2631
Latkes and Salt Beef\
https://www.bksaltbeefbar.com/about
Donuts for hanukah time only in London, England, Margot Bakery 121 East End Rd, East Finchley.
https://www.margotbakery.co.uk/chanukah
Carrot and ginger soup recipe from the BBC
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/carrot-ginger-soup
Please share links to your favourite blog posts.
No comments:
Post a Comment