Laughter and Latkes

Throughout the year, the kitchen might be our space, but come Chanukah, every potato and bottle of oil is an opportunity to engage the people around us. Sharing the kitchen with our children provides opportunities for fun, connection, and celebration. It also means opening our hearts to eight days of the mess and sticky counters that accompany family memories and quality time. And we’re looking forward to every second.

Tip: Oriental Trading sells well-priced metal dreidel cookie cutters. I used them for the Vegetable Dreidel Latkes recipe, and they worked very well.

—Faigy

Sweet-and-Salty Chanukah Gelt Bark

I’ve always had a weakness for sweet-and-salty pairings, so combining the salty taste of popcorn and peanuts with the sweetness of chocolate and caramel is definitely up my alley. A sprinkle of sea salt over the top creates that perfect balance of flavors that will keep you coming back for more.

SERVES 10-12

• 80–100 chocolate coins in assorted sizes and colors (white, dark, and dairy chocolate)
• 1–1½ cups caramel popcorn
• ½–¾ cup honey-roasted peanuts
• pink Himalayan salt, for sprinkling
• 1 5-oz (140-g) pkg Solos (caramel-filled chocolate bites), cut in half

Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper. Unwrap the chocolate coins and place them randomly onto the baking sheet. Try to get them as close to each other as possible without overlapping.