Help me plan another Hanukkah dinner

[clairea]

We had our Hannukah celebration Monday night, and tomorrow we are celebrating Christmas (we are an interfaith family). Now DH tells me his parents have decided to come in this weekend and he wants to have another Hannukah dinner. After doing a brunch for 30 of his family members last weekend, and 2 holiday meals already this week (counting tomorrow) I am out of ideas (and energy). So I am looking for suggestions for an easy, but still festive, Hannukah meal. DH said something about maybe having a "dairy dinner". I assume that means a no-meat dinner, but is there anything else I need to know? What kinds of foods would it include? We did a roast chicken Monday night and are having beef tenderloin tomorrow, so I don't really want to do another big meat dish.

Claire

[swquilts]

A vegetarian lasagna in white sauce? I'm not familar with Hannukah meals/cooking......

[HRJ]

Claire, my hat's off to you for taking on so much entertaining!

My first thought was to suggest making brisket in the crockpot, because that would eliminate a lot of last-minute prep and cooking. But I see you don't want another big slab o'beef.

As for dairy, it's traditional to eat cheese foods during Hanukkah -- particularly blintzes. I have to admit I've never tried making them from scratch :o , but I'm thinking you might be able to make them ahead of time and warm them up later. (I make blintzes a lot for an easy, last-minute dinner, but I always buy the frozen ones. Don't know if you'd want to do that for company.)

Or, you could do something like a spinach-feta pie, or some sort of veggie quiche. My imagination is stalled right now, but the recipe-finder might be able to help you out.

Good luck! Enjoy the holidays!!

Helene

[karen w]

A dairy meal in my family usually means a noodle kugel which could definetely be done ahead of time. We often have it with salmon patties or tuna salad, egg salad etc...(which, of course, is not all dairy:p ). You can add a nice veggie side or tossed salad and some fruit. Or how about a strata which could also be done ahead of time.
The lasagna also sounds good as does the blintzes. I have not used the frozen blintzes either, but I know my mother used to use them in a blintz souffle where she baked them in a eggy type custard, and they were always very well liked. I'm not much of a sweet tooth, and they always seemed more "desserty" to me. But that's just me!:rolleyes: I really don't have any other great ideas. Good luck and Happy Hanukkah!


Karen

[tbb113]

Another vote for blintzes. My mother used to make them for Hanukkah when I was little :) I know that I have posted and some others have posted recipes for a blintz casserole...same taste, less work. The links to the recipes are here (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47573&highlight=blintz)

[clairea]

Thanks for the suggestion of the blintz casserole. I have the recipe for the one DH's mother (who passed away before I met DH) used to make, so maybe I will do that. It looks like something I could probably do ahead. I'm wondering about just doing that, some bagels with smoked salmon, etc., and a big fruit salad? I don't need to do a lot of food, but I do want what I have to be nice. I'm thinking I won't do a dessert since the meal will already be on the sweet side with the casserole and the fruit. What do you guys think?

Helene, I love those frozen cheese blintzes. DH can't stand them, so they are one of the things I eat when he is out of town;) And rest assured, once this weekend is over, I am not doing any entertaining for a looong time (in addition to what I have done this week, I have cooked and/or baked for at least 2 parties a week since Thanksgiving). It has just been one of those years when everything seemed to hit at once and there wasn't a good way to avoid any of it. On the bright side, I have gotten to try lots of new recipes:D

Claire

[Sami]

Claire,

Your idea of a blintz casserole, bagels and lox and fruit should be perfect. I agree that you don't need dessert, but if you are so inclined a coffee cake or rugelah would be something to make ahead and have for breakfast if it isn't eaten for dinner.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas

Sami