Hanukkah is here, and that means sinking your teeth into those traditional Hanukkah foods. While favorites such as potato latkes, donuts, cheese blintzes and other foods fried in oil are delicious on the lips, they're also heavy on the hips and the heart. {relatedarticles}So why not lighten up this Hanukkah? As it so happens, Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of making one day's supply of oil last approximately eight days and nights in the Temple while the Jewish soldiers staved off invaders. This accounts for the heavy presence of oil and deep frying foods for the Hanukkah celebration. That's not to say you can't enjoy a hearty yet healthy Hanukkah. Take potato latkes for example. Instead of using potatoes fried in oil, combine shredded potatoes and chopped broccoli together and bake these modified latkes in the oven... without any butter or oil. Or fry them on top of the stove using an olive oil cooking spray.
Prepare a mock chopped liver in place of the real deal. Because liver is chock full of oil, fat, garlic and onions, it's not an ideal choice for those who are trying to eat healthy. Try combining lentils, brown rice and walnuts in its place. {relatedarticles}When it comes to preparing those sweet treats, there are other ways to cut corners... and calories. If a recipe calls for whole milk, use skim milk or water. Substitute artificial sweetener or stevia for sugar. Use fat-free or low-fat cream cheese or cottage cheese in place of those whole-fat offerings. Bake, don't fry. To keep the symbolism alive, opt to use a bit of heart-healthy olive oil on salad, meats or other dishes.