Sayge Rolnick

As the holiday season soon approaches, people scramble to find the best meals and dishes to put on the table. Whether it be appetizers, snacks, the main course, or dessert, the pressure is real when it comes to picking the perfect dishes. 

Although it may seem complicated in many cases, especially when trying to impress family or friends, cooking on the holidays does not have to be stressful. There are many easy recipes that taste delicious and look amazing. 

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the recovery of Jerusalem and the dedication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. “One of the most popular foods made during this holiday is potato latkes,” said sophomore Zoey Garver. 

Recipe for simple, tasty, potato latkes (Momsdish.com): 

1. Rinse potatoes in a colander under cold water and scrub off any dirt 

1. Shred the potato and onion 

1. In a large bowl, add the shredded potato and onion 

1. Mix in egg, flour, and salt 

1. Mix/toss with your hands 

1. Preheat a pan with oil and add the latke batter into the pan. Flatten it out with a spoon 

1. Wait until golden brown, then keep repeating this process! 

Social Studies Teacher Olga Zisel said, “My favorite holiday meal is [warm] mac and cheese.” 

Mac and Cheese recipe (Thechunkychef.com) : 

1. Boil the pasta and drain it afterwards 

1. Combine butter and flour and whisk in milk to create the cheese sauce 

1. Cook the sauce until thick 

1. Add in shredded cheeses of your choice and stir well 

1. Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta 

1. Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and sprinkle with more shredded cheese (as desired) 

1. Bake until golden brown 

Recipes can be scrumptious, while simultaneously easy to make. Food is what brings people together around the holidays, especially involving traditions, such as family recipes. English teacher Roseanne Mitchell said, “My favorite dessert since I was a child is my mother’s anisette cookies.” 

A classic Italian Anisette Cookies recipe (AllRecipes.com):

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup milk 
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon anise extract
• Bake in a preheated oven until edges are golden, about 8 minutes.
• Enjoy this season, and do not forget that cooking can be both fun and serene.