Hanukkah

Deborah Sussman's Care Package

Chow Bella has a valentine for you. For the rest of February, we're handing out Candy Hearts -- stories of food and love from some of our favorite writers. Enjoy. In the 1940s, my father and his parents spent two long years imprisoned in concentration camps in Holland and Germany, where food was f ... More >>

Once Upon a Time: The Re-Emergence of Storytelling

Eating Christmas

He'Brew Jewbelation Sweet 16 Will Get You Lit Like A Hanukkah Candle

Beer: He'Brew Jewbelation Sweet 16 Brewery: Shmaltz Brewing Co. Style: American Strong Ale ABV: 16 percent Hanukkah might be over, but sometimes eight crazy nights just aren't enough. For those looking to squeeze in a few extra or get a buzz that'll last as long as the original Hannukkah candles, t ... More >>

Five Things to Eat and Drink this Weekend

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate. See Also: The Handlebar and Grill: Happy Hour Report Card Latke Lowdown: Guest Critic Eric Schaefer Pits Abe's Against Goldman's Crafeteria The weekend is always cause for celebration, a ... More >>

Kim Porter Tries Manischewitz for the First Time, and Narrowly Avoids a Latke Fire

Ah, the holidays. Christmas is all about love, sharing, sweetness and light -- and keeping the antacids handy. In keeping with the spirit of the season, Chow Bella presents "Eating Christmas," in which some of our favorite writers nosh on the real lessons we learn this time of year. Today, we begin ... More >>

Latke Lowdown: Guest Critic Eric Schaefer Pits Abe's Against Goldman's

Editor's Note: In this special edition of "Battle of the Dishes," we asked our favorite mensch, Eric Schaefer, to do some latke research for us. Latkes are the culinary poster child for Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights that is of relatively minor religious significance but gives us Jewish k ... More >>

AndyTalk: The Surprising Lesson in Olive Oil Cake

See Also: AndyTalk: Potato Latkes Can Be Trendy ... Really - Six Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah in Metro Phoenix I want to share a recipe that didn't work. Actually, part of the recipe worked, and part didn't. I've been nibbling at the good part for a couple of days, but I think that the lesson ass ... More >>

Chefs Christoper Gross and James Porter Unite for a Staff Meal Hanukkah Hoedown

Not that Valley chefs Christopher Gross (Christopher's & Crush Lounge) and James Porter (Petite Maison) need another reason to stay up late and have some fun, but Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, seems like a good reason to mix the late-night revelry with a bit of holiday spirit. ... More >>

Six Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah in Metro Phoenix

Hanukkah (or Chanukah) -- the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights -- begins at sundown on Saturday, December 8, this year and ends on Sunday, December 16. If you're planning a special feast to kick off or end the holiday, there are several places in town cooking up Jewish specialties to help you do ... More >>

Your Holiday Heavy Metal Gift Guide

What's the most metal gift you've ever received? I can think of several that stick out: Led Zeppelin vinyl, a miniature model of Dimebag Darrell's Razorback lightning bolt guitar, spike-bedecked high heels that would make a dominatrix envious, a stripper pole paired with a handle of whiskey. But I ... More >>

S'more Hamentaschen?! Oy, the Sacrilege, But They Sound Delicious

​To be honest, Jewish holidays can be a big bummer -- celebrations of suffering and (eventual) triumph, lacking cute bunnies and red-coated gift-givers, involving long hours sitting through synagogue services and other rituals. At least the food is (usually) good. Latkes (potato pancakes) at ... More >>

Chow Bella's One-Stop Holiday Guide: Eat, Drink, Cook, Shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeyrope​It's the home stretch, folks! Tonight marks the mid-point of Hanukkah and, of course, tomorrow night the stockings get stuffed and so do you -- if you aren't already. We've had fun, this holiday season, gathering suggestions of where to dine, what to drink, ... More >>

8 Foods to Fry Up for Hanukkah

From left: Jackie Mercandetti,loloschickenandwaffles.com, epicurious.com, foodnetwork.com​The first night of Hanukkah is history, meaning that by now you've probably fried up your fair share of latkes -- or, if you're like me, narrowly avoided a fist fight at Trader Joe's yesterday afternoo ... More >>

Chompie's Chanukah Dinner and Blue Velvet Cupcakes in Today's Eater's Digest

sprinklebakes.com​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives? Hanukkah, Chanukah However you spell it, Happy Hanukkah! Celebrate one night of the eight-day holiday extravaganza (which starts at sundown tonight) with Phoenix's New York-styl ... More >>

Deborah Sussman's Chocolate Christmas (and Hanukkah)

Claire Lawton​Christmas comes a little early to Chow Bella this year -- in the form of some darn good holiday storytelling. Today, in honor of the first night of Hanukkah (which begins tonight at sundown) we bring you Deborah Sussman's chocolate-dipped memories. I know everybody says ... More >>

NYPD's Trades Pizza for Blankets and Rich Cocoa Brownies in Today's Eater's Digest

honeycombfood.blogspot.com​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?Blanket = PizzaNYPD Pizza needs your new blankets and sleeping bags -- and they're willing to trade you a cheese pizza. The charitable pizza joint has teamed up with Blanketing Arizon ... More >>

Kim Porter's Ham Taco Christmas

Claire Lawton​Christmas comes a little early to Chow Bella this year -- in the form of some darn good holiday storytelling. We had so much fun with our Misfit Thanksgiving last month we decided to do it again for Christmas and Hanukkah, and we're glad we did. Today, local playwright, actor ... More >>

Petite Maison's Latke Staff Meal and Peppermint Swirl Marshmallows in Today's Eater's Digest

Krissy's Creations ​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives? Latke Party!  Latkes, anyone? This Friday, December 16th, you'll be able to get your fill of the traditional Hanukkah potato treats as Petite Maison and Nora Scha ... More >>

AndyTalk: Potato Latkes Can Be Trendy ... Really

Latke trouble - or tsuris if you like to bemoan fate in Yiddish - is fairly standard. If you grate potatoes, form patties and fry you're likely to get crisp potatoes on the outside and underdone potatoes on the inside.

Festival of Laughs

Carol's Mango-Pine Nut Rugelach

Tedd Roundy Carol's rugelach.​Our latest Chow Bella showdown: a traditional holiday cookie exchange. From now through Christmas, we present Chow Bella's 12 Days of Christmas Cookies. We begin, technically speaking, with a Hanukkah treat:  Carol Blonder's Rugelach It started with my fi ... More >>

Eight Songs for Hanukkah (Not Including That Adam Sandler Song Because We're Still Mad Jack and Jill Exists)

​As you've no doubt noticed, we've dived headfirst into the holiday spirit around here. We've got song to string your Christmas lights to, our favorite WTF Christmas albums, and even a weekly series, "Christmas Music That Doesn't Suck" (look for installment number two tomorrow). But we're w ... More >>

Russell Pearce's Nemesis Jerry Lewis Sworn In as Arizona State Senator

Christmas came early this year, I thought to myself, as Jerry Lewis, the man who played David to ex-state Senate President Russell Pearce's Goliath in the Legislative District 18 recall, was sworn in this afternoon on the Senate floor by Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch.Yep, C ... More >>

Merry Happy

Ten More Food Fixes Phoenix Needs

Betty made our paleta dream come true.​I got cranky a few months ago, and I made a list. A list of food-related things Phoenix needs. I just looked back on that list, and am delighted to report that we've now got two out of five. Not bad. OK, so we got that fancy-schmancy bowling alle ... More >>

Getting Fried for Chanukah: The Parlor vs. The Grind

Sorry to disappoint, but no, we're not indulging in pot brownies or some other drug-laced food during the Festival of Lights. This is a serious religious holiday, folks. So for this week's Battle of the Dishes, we're clogging our stomachs and arteries with greasy donuts! Apparently, oil-fr ... More >>

The Herb Box Fries Up Sweet Potato-Cranberry Latkes

Two nights down, six to go -- ready for another in our series of Chanukah ideas? Today, Chef Becky Windels from The Herb Box in Scottsdale has grated and sizzled up her own take on the fried potato pancake -- sweet potato-cranberry latkes with chive crema. Pick them up at the DC Ranch lo ... More >>

The Big Red Pour or Drink Your Face Off Day and Edible Dreidels in Today's Eater's Digest

www.cookingwithmykid.com​ Hungry for your early morning serving of food news, with no preservatives or additives?The Big Red PourGet you livers ready guys and girls, it's time for Albertsons' and Draft Magazine's Big Red Pour! Take a break from holiday shopping and fill your belly with delicious b ... More >>

Chanukah: The Festival of Frying

Carol Blonder Chanukah Menorah​ Chanukah -- the Jewish festival of lights -- begins tonight at sundown. So what's for dinner? Traditional recipes for food, savory and sweet, cooked in oil, are found on Chanukah menus in Jewish communities around the world. Ashkenazi Jewish families, with ro ... More >>

Dec. 1 In Blogs: Trent Franks, Vintage License Plates, Copper State Tavern, Chanukah, and the TSA

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

Kim Porter and Ben Kaplan, What Are You Baking?

​Even if your oven sits cold all year, chances are you're considering firing it up, right about now. As a holiday twist on our "What Are You Eating" feature on Chow Bella and "What Are You Wearing?" on Jackalope Ranch, for the next few weeks we'll be bringing you "What Are You Baking?" Comple ... More >>

The Top 10 Christmas Beers

Image courtesy of bruisin-ales.com​Christmas is everyone's favorite holiday, but true beer fans know that the most wonderful time of the year is made even more wonderful with a pint in your hand. Winter warmers and other dark, comforting brews take over around the holidays to help carolers and Chr ... More >>

Steve Martin and the Other Best and Worst Comedians Turned Musicians

Heavy Metal