Hanukkah Recipes
Traditional Jewish Hanukkah recipes. Latkes, sufganiyot, and other Festival of Lights favorites.
Egypt(7)
Fatta with Beef
A traditional Egyptian festive dish, Fatta features layers of toasted bread, fluffy rice, and tender beef, all brought together with a tangy garlic-vinegar sauce. It's a celebratory meal often prepared for Eid al-Adha.
Kibda Alexandrian Style
A classic Egyptian street food from Alexandria, this dish features tender, pan-fried calf or lamb liver quickly cooked with vibrant peppers and aromatic spices. It's known for its intense flavor and rapid preparation.
Kobeiba
Kobeiba, also known as Kibbeh in many Levantine regions, are delicious fried croquettes made from a flavorful mixture of fine bulgur wheat and ground meat, encasing a savory filling of spiced meat and toasted pine nuts. This Egyptian variation offers a delightful crunch on the outside and a tender, aromatic interior.
Falafel
Crispy fried balls of spiced chickpeas and fresh herbs, the quintessential Middle Eastern street food. Traditionally served warm in pita bread with a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Balah el Sham
Balah el Sham are delightful Egyptian fried dough pastries, similar to churros, that are soaked in a sweet syrup. They are a popular street food and a beloved treat, especially during Ramadan.
Qatayef
Qatayef are small, folded pancakes traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan in Egypt. The batter is cooked on one side only, then filled with a sweet cream (ashta) or chopped nuts, folded in half, and typically deep-fried until golden and crispy, then soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. They are a beloved sweet treat and a staple of the iftar (breaking the fast) meal.
Morocco(6)
Sfenj
Sfenj are delightful Moroccan doughnuts, characterized by their crispy exterior and airy, fluffy interior. Traditionally enjoyed as a street food breakfast, they are simple to make and incredibly satisfying.
Seffa Medfouna
A classic Moroccan festive dish, Seffa Medfouna features tender, spiced chicken pieces enveloped within a mound of fluffy, steamed vermicelli, then elegantly garnished with powdered sugar, cinnamon, and toasted almonds. The name 'Medfouna' translates to 'hidden', referring to the chicken concealed within the vermicelli.
Briouats aux Amandes
Delicate, crispy phyllo rolls filled with a fragrant almond paste, sweetened and often enjoyed with honey. These are a popular treat, especially during Ramadan.
Sardines Farcies
A classic Moroccan coastal dish featuring fresh sardines generously stuffed with a vibrant chermoula mixture, then lightly coated and fried to a golden crisp. This recipe elevates simple sardines into an elegant appetizer or light main course.
Tagine Lahm bil Mishmish
A classic Moroccan sweet and savory tagine featuring tender lamb shoulder braised with fragrant spices and plump dried apricots, finished with a scattering of toasted almonds. This festive dish is perfect for special occasions.
Moroccan Couscous with Tfaya
A festive and flavorful Moroccan dish featuring tender lamb or chicken simmered in aromatic spices, served over fluffy couscous, and generously topped with a sweet and savory tfaya – a rich mixture of deeply caramelized onions, plump raisins, and honey infused with cinnamon.
Algeria(4)
Mrouzia Lamb Tagine
A celebratory and aromatic lamb tagine, Mrouzia is a sweet and savory dish traditionally prepared for Eid al-Adha. It features tender lamb cooked with dried fruits, honey, and a blend of warm spices.
Tajine Mechoui Lamb
A flavorful and tender slow-roasted lamb dish, inspired by the traditional Algerian Mechoui. This version is adapted for home cooking, featuring a leg of lamb marinated in a blend of aromatic spices and slow-cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender.
Loukoumades Algériens
Sweet, golden-brown fried dough balls, often drizzled with honey or syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. These are a popular treat, especially during celebrations.
Poulet à la Cannelle Algérien
A fragrant and subtly sweet chicken dish, often prepared for special occasions, featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich sauce infused with cinnamon, honey, and almonds.
Kenya(4)
Wali wa Kukaanga
Wali wa Kukaanga is a flavorful Kenyan take on fried rice, featuring boiled rice stir-fried with aromatic spices, onions, turmeric, and a medley of colorful vegetables. It's a versatile dish often served as a side to chicken dishes or enjoyed on its own with a fresh salad.
Kenyan Chai na Mandazi
A classic Kenyan breakfast or snack featuring spiced milky tea (Chai) served with soft, slightly sweet, deep-fried dough (Mandazi). It's a comforting and popular combination enjoyed across the country.
Kenyan Filled Mandazi
A delightful twist on the classic Kenyan mandazi, these are sweet, fluffy fried dough pockets filled with a spiced coconut and sugar mixture. They offer a satisfyingly sweet treat, perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
Kenyan Viazi Karai
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, Viazi Karai are spiced potato cubes coated in a flavorful batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. A popular street food snack.
Ghana(3)
Tilapia with Groundnut Sauce and Fried Plantains
A popular Ghanaian combination featuring pan-fried tilapia served with a rich, savory groundnut sauce and sweet fried plantains.
Ghanaian Tilapia with Groundnut Sauce
Whole tilapia marinated and fried to perfection, then served with a rich, savory groundnut sauce. This dish offers a different preparation of groundnut stew compared to the existing list.
Ghanaian Yam Balls
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, Ghanaian Yam Balls are a popular snack or appetizer. Made from boiled and mashed yams, mixed with spices and often a touch of corned beef or other fillings, they are then coated and deep-fried to golden perfection.
Mauritius(3)
Mauritian Sweet Potato Cakes
These delightful sweet potato cakes are a popular Mauritian street food and snack, perfect with tea. They feature a soft, slightly chewy dough made from mashed sweet potato, filled with a sweet coconut mixture, and deep-fried until golden brown.
Mauritian Garlic Pork
A flavorful and aromatic pork dish marinated in a potent blend of garlic, thyme, and vinegar, then slow-cooked and pan-fried to crispy perfection. This dish is a staple during festive seasons, particularly Christmas, bringing families together.
Gâteau Patate
Gâteau Patate is a beloved Mauritian delicacy, especially popular during Diwali. These sweet, half-moon shaped cakes are made from mashed sweet potato and flour, filled with a fragrant mixture of grated coconut, sugar, and cardamom, then deep-fried to a golden brown.
Angola(2)
Fried Caterpillars
A unique and protein-rich Angolan delicacy, Catatos features caterpillars fried with garlic, and can be enhanced with onions and peppers. Often served with rice or Funge, it's known for its surprisingly pleasant texture and nutritional value.
Peixe Frito com Molho de Tomate e Cebola
Crispy fried fish served with a simple yet flavorful sauce of tomatoes and onions, a common and beloved dish across Angola.
Burkina Faso(2)
Fataya
Fataya are savory, deep-fried pastries popular in West Africa, including Burkina Faso. These handheld delights are typically filled with seasoned ground meat, onions, and spices, encased in a crispy, golden-brown dough. This recipe features a flavorful beef filling.
Poulet Bicyclette
Poulet Bicyclette, translating to 'bicycle chicken,' is a flavorful grilled chicken dish from Burkina Faso. The name likely comes from the sight of market vendors transporting chickens on their bicycles. It's known for its tender, marinated meat infused with a blend of aromatic spices.
Israel(2)
Maqluba
A festive Palestinian dish, popular in Israel, featuring layers of rice, vegetables, and meat (optional) cooked and then inverted onto a platter.
Potato Latkes with Sour Cream and Apple Sauce
Crispy, golden pan-fried potato pancakes, a beloved dish in Israel, especially during Hanukkah. Served traditionally with sour cream and apple sauce.
Burundi(2)
Ndizi za Kukaanga na Samaki
A popular and satisfying dish in Burundi, Ndizi za Kukaanga na Samaki features perfectly fried ripe plantains served alongside seasoned and pan-fried fish. It's a simple yet delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors.
Mukeke Fish with Fried Plantains
A popular dish featuring Mukeke, a unique freshwater fish found in Lake Tanganyika, typically pan-fried or grilled and served with sweet fried plantains. The fish has a delicate flavor and firm texture.
Colombia(2)
Buñuelos Colombianos
Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, these Colombian cheese fritters are a beloved Christmas essential. Made with salty costeño cheese and tapioca starch, they puff up beautifully when fried to a golden brown.
Patacones
Colombian twice-fried green plantains, smashed and fried until perfectly crispy. These versatile discs serve as an excellent base for a variety of delicious toppings.
United States(2)
Maryland Crab Cakes
Authentic Maryland crab cakes featuring generous amounts of jumbo lump crab meat with just enough binder to hold them together, pan-fried to a beautiful golden brown. A true taste of the Chesapeake Bay.
Classic Beer Battered Onion Rings
Thick-cut sweet onions encased in a crispy, golden beer batter. These classic onion rings are the ultimate accompaniment to any burger or sandwich, offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.
Djibouti(2)
Bajiyos
Bajiyos are a popular Djiboutian vegetarian snack or side dish, consisting of thinly sliced vegetables coated in a spiced batter made from rice and gram flour, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. They are similar to Indian pakoras or Japanese tempura.
Sambusa
Sambusa are Djibouti's version of samosas, crispy fried pastries typically filled with spiced minced meat (often lamb or beef) and onions. They are a popular snack or appetizer, especially during Ramadan.
Lesotho(2)
Makoenya
Makoenya are a popular Lesotho treat, similar to doughnuts, made from a simple dough of flour, sugar, yeast, and water, then deep-fried until golden brown. They are often enjoyed plain or dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Makoenya
Makoenya are a traditional Lesotho treat, similar to doughnuts. They are made from a simple dough, deep-fried until golden brown, and often dusted with sugar or served plain. They are a popular street food and a sweet indulgence.
Libya(2)
Libyan Mrouzia
Mrouzia is a traditional Moroccan and Libyan sweet and savory tagine, typically made with lamb, honey, raisins, and almonds. This Libyan version often incorporates aromatic spices for a rich, festive flavor.
Zlabia
Zlabia are delightful, crispy, deep-fried fritters made from a fermented batter, often enjoyed during festive occasions. They are typically drizzled with syrup or dusted with powdered sugar, offering a sweet and satisfying treat.
