Diary From My Home (Diary No.1)

Lately, life has been filled with lots of fun activities. With Thanksgiving over and finally home, I can return to my routine. Things are starting to slow down, so this might be a good time to add a second blog post each week. Writing monthly posts that would change each week might be fun. I will be sharing these posts on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Table Cloth, Napkins, Plates (simelor), Dress,

For the first post, I will share a diary from my home. I will share a recipe, DIY, or home decor/project month. I enjoy creating a cozy space that I want to come home to. I love trying new recipes. Be it a dinner, lunch, or baking. I am trying to recreate my favorite meals from my favorite restaurants or recipes from food shows and magazines. It would be fun to share more of these to document my life. So, I have set out to share a life that is not perfect raw, and authentic.

I look forward to you all coming along on that journey. Here is the first post in my diary-from-home series.

Dreidel Plate (simelor)

It is the holiday season, and it is starting to feel cheerful. Since Chanukah is just over a week away, I wanted to try making some unique Latkes. Of course, now I can make Lates from scratch, but the Trader Joe’s frozen ones are amazing and give me more time to find delicious toppers. They are also less fussy and less messy, and I will not set the fire alarm off ( I did that the first time I had Lakes in college).

I have always been the purest regarding Latkes (only using apple sauce or sour cream). I will get zucchini and parmesan from Wholefoods (oh, delicious). The Food Network magazine inspired me to try different toppings for my latkes this year. I am so glad I did because they are out-of-this-world delicious. Whoever thought apple sauce and blue cheese would taste so good on a Latke (it does, I dare you to try it)? Also, Creme Fresh with smoked salmon, chive, and capers is divine. If you like, I would even add a dollop of caviar. How chic would that be? It is fun to try different combinations and see how they taste.

If you love making Latkes from scratch, you could try different combinations. As I said, zucchini and parmesan are delicious, and sweet potato with brown sugar and a touch of ginger would be divine. If you were having brunch, a hashbrown Latke with an egg on top would be a perfect main dish. I would make a Large latke in a pan and then put individual fried eggs on top(Which makes me hungry). For lunch, a mixed green salad with a latke on top. Garnished with blue cheese or Bree would be perfect. If you are hosting a Chanukah dinner making a roasted chicken, salad, and a Latke bar where everyone can top their latkes as they wish would be an easy and lovely dinner. You could even have uncooked latkes that people could make in a waffle fryer.

I think Latkes are not only for Chanukah but delicious to eat year round. They make a lovely side dish for any meal or party. Keep an extra box in the freezer. They are there if someone is coming for dinner at the last minute. One of my favorite dinners is a middle eastern meal. Chicken covered in greek yogurt mixed with middle Eastern spices like turmeric, zaatar, cardamom, parsley, and oregano. I would pair this with hummus, Latkes, Israeli salad, and pickles.

Chanukah Mug (Simelor)

I could go on and on, but this is an excellent spot to stop and share a list of toppings that would be delicious on Latkes.

Xoxo-Nikki

Different ways to top your Latkes

1. Applesauce
2.  Sour cream
3.  Creme fresh with smoked salmon, cappers, and chives
4.  Applesauce and Blue cheese
5.  Sour cream, caviar and chives
6.  Chives mixed with sour cream
7.  Sourcream with zaatar