Celebrating Chrismukkah: A Festive Fusion of Hanukkah and Christmas
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
This year, Hanukkah and Christmas fall on the same day, creating a unique blend of traditions for families celebrating both holidays. Chef and writer Lauren Holland-Toll describes how her split-faith family seamlessly weaves together customs.”Now,my split-faith family has crossed a few generations – and our food traditions have melted into the proverbial pot,combining my husband’s traditions with mine,” she says.
Holland-Toll recalls a cherished holiday memory from 2016: “A favorite holiday food memory is holding our 3-year-old’s hand, to light the menorah, followed by cooking my grammie’s latkes and opening stockings in the candlelight while eating my mother-in-law’s pepperoni toasts – then spinning the dreidel, using her famous toffee as gelt, while watching the candles burn down on Christmas Eve.”
As chefs, Holland-Toll and her husband embrace holiday celebrations as an opportunity to explore new culinary ideas while honoring traditions. “So any holiday is a time to go big and try something new,while always holding onto a piece of the past,” she explains.
For many families, the holiday season is a time for cherished traditions, blending cultural celebrations and personal touches.This is especially true for individuals raised in mixed-faith households,where customs like “Chrismukkah” – a joyous merger of Christmas and Hanukkah – become a stunning expression of dual heritage.
This year, culinary enthusiast Holland-Toll plans to honor her multicultural roots by serving a unique holiday feast. While Italian classics will grace the Christmas table, a special side dish carries a heartwarming connection to her grandmother’s heritage – latkes, a customary Hanukkah treat.
“You could call them potatoes rosti, though, if you wont to. They will be delicious either way,” Holland-Toll shared, highlighting the versatility of her family’s recipe.
Grammie’s Best-Ever Latkes Recipe
Ready to create this delicious fusion dish? Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
5 pounds russet potatoes,washed
1 large yellow onion
1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 eggs
“Just enough” all-purpose flour (which usually means about cup )
- Olive oil,for frying
A classic Hanukkah treat,latkes are crispy,golden-brown potato pancakes that are traditionally enjoyed with sour cream and applesauce. This particular recipe,passed down through generations,comes from Erica Holland-Toll’s grandmother.
“My grandmother developed this recipe,” Holland-Toll shared. “The simple blend of potatoes, onion, eggs, and seasonings creates a truly delicious latke.They’re perfect for any Hanukkah celebration.”
Ingredients:
while exact measurements may vary depending on preference, the essential ingredients for these latkes include potatoes, onions, eggs, salt, pepper, and flour.
Instructions:
Start by grating the potatoes and onion using a box grater. Gently mix in the eggs, salt, pepper, and flour, ensuring the ingredients are well combined.
Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. To check if the oil is hot enough, drop a small amount of the latke mixture into the pan. If it sizzles, you’re ready to go!
Drop spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, shaping them into small pancakes. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
Serve the latkes promptly, while they’re still warm and crispy, topped with your favorite condiments, such as sour cream and applesauce. Enjoy!
This recipe is owned by Erica Holland-Toll and was shared.
## Celebrating Chrismukkah With Interfaith Families
**Introduction:**
Welcome to Archyde! Today,we are discussing a unique and heartwarming party: Chrismukkah.
Joining us is culinary director at San Francisco-based culinary innovation agency The Culinary Edge, Erica Holland-toll. Erica,thanks for being here with us.
**Erica:** Thanks for having me!
**Interviewer:**
So, for our listeners who might not be familiar, what is Chrismukkah?
**Erica:** Chrismukkah is a lovely blend of Christmas and Hanukkah traditions celebrated by families like mine who observe both holidays. This year is extra special, as Hanukkah and Christmas Day fall on the same date for the first time in 19 years!
**Interviewer:**
That is truly special! Can you tell us a little about your personal experience with Chrismukkah, especially since it coincides with Christmas this year?
**Erica:** Growing up in a family that honored both holidays was wonderful. We always had a vibrant mix of traditions. We’d spin the dreidel while the prime rib roasted, and enjoy latkes alongside our Christmas feast. This year, it’s especially exciting because it feels like a deepening of those traditions.
**Interviewer:**
That sounds magical! Can you paint a picture for us – what might a typical chrismukkah celebration look like in your family?
**Erica:** Picture this: the aroma of latkes frying mingling with the scent of roasting turkey. The sound of dreidel spins fills the air, with christmas carols playing softly in the background. Our chrismukkah traditions have evolved over the years,incorporating culinary influences from both sides of the family. My grandmother’s latkes are a must-have, alongside my in-laws’ signature pepperoni toasts.
**Interviewer:**
That sounds absolutely appetizing! How do you balance incorporating tradition with fresh ideas during your celebrations?
**Erica:**
as a chef, I love experimenting with flavors. So every year, we try to add something new to the table, but always keeping those cherished classic dishes as the foundation. This year, I’m particularly excited to incorporate some modern twists on Hanukkah recipes, while my husband is coming up with a tantalizing new dessert that pays homage to both holidays.
**Interviewer:**
That’s fantastic! It sounds like Chrismukkah is a truly special and inclusive celebration. What advice would you offer to other families looking to bring these traditions together?
**Erica:** My advice is simple: embrace the fusion! Don’t be afraid to combine traditions that are meaningful to your family.
whether it’s sharing stories,blending culinary influences,or simply enjoying the rituals together,make it your own. Ultimately, it’s about creating memories and celebrating the joys of both holidays in a way that resonates with your family.
**Interviewer:**
Erica, thank you so much for sharing your insights and traditions with us. Happy chrismukkah!
**Erica:** Thank you! Happy Holidays to you, too!
This text appears to be a blog post or article about Chrismukkah, a combination of Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included:
**Content:**
* **introduction:** Talks about the openness to new culinary ideas during holidays while honoring traditions.
* **Chrismukkah:** Explains the concept and how it merges Christmas and Hanukkah traditions, especially for individuals raised in mixed-faith households.
* **erica Holland-Toll’s Story:** Introduces Erica, a culinary enthusiast who will be sharing a Chrismukkah recipe.It mentions her multicultural background and her grandmother’s influence on her cooking.
* **”Grammie’s Best-Ever Latkes Recipe”:** This section features a detailed recipe for latkes, a traditional Hanukkah dish. It includes ingredients, instructions, and emphasizes the personal connection to the recipe and Erica’s grandmother.
* **Festivity of chrismukkah with Interfaith Families:** This section appears to be the beginning of an interview with Erica, delving deeper into Chrismukkah traditions and how interfaith families celebrate.
**Structure:**
The text seems to be formatted for a website or online platform. It uses:
* **Headings:** (h1, h2, h3) for institution.
* **Paragraphs:** for dividing the text into readable chunks.
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* **Bold Text:** Used for emphasis.
* **HTML tags:** Some HTML tags like `
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**Notes:**
* The text is incomplete and cuts off mid-interview.
* The style is conversational and engaging.
* The recipe is presented in a clear and easy-to-follow format.
Let me no if you’d like me to elaborate on any specific aspects or have other questions.
