Potato pancakes are traditionally served during Chanukah celebrations. This dish is often referred to as “latkes,” a Yiddish word that loosely translates to “little oily thing.” Potato pancakes are not exclusive to Jewish celebrations and cuisine. Germans have their own variation called “kartoffelpuffer” that can be served with sour cream, applesauce or smoked salmon. The Irish have “boxty,” which may be made with a combination of shredded potato and mashed potato before being fried. Many potato pancake recipes are quite similar. They involve only a few ingredients and fry up in a flash. Some chefs recommend draining the shredded potato prior to cooking so that the pancakes will fry up crispy and not be soggy or break apart.
Enjoy this recipe for Latkes, courtesy of AllRecipes.com
Latkes
YIELD: Serves 12
INGREDIENTS:
3 large potatoes, peeled and shredded
1 small onion, shredded
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the potatoes and onion into a bowl, and stir in eggs, salt and flour as needed to make the mixture hold together. With wet hands, scoop up about 1/3 cup of the mixture per patty, and form into flat round or oval shapes.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, and gently place the patties into the hot oil. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes, then flip with a spatula and fry the other side until golden.
3. Line a colander or strainer with 2 paper towels, and drain the cooked latkes in the colander. Serve hot.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa! The entire staff at TBR News Media wishes our readers a wonderful holiday! Please note the office will be closed Dec. 23 to Jan. 3, 2023.
Photo courtesy of Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences
Residents at Gurwin Jewish~Fay J. Lindner Residences assisted living community in Commack recently celebrated the cooking traditions of Hanukkah with an interactive latke cooking demonstration.
“Our Assisted Living residents always enjoy our live cooking demonstrations, especially during the holidays,” said Stuart B. Almer, President and CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System. “It is a wonderful time for residents to reminisce about their own holiday memories and traditions and share them with each other and our staff.”
Gurwin Chef Salvatore Zingalis conducted the demonstration live in a temporary teaching kitchen in the residence’s dining room. Residents shared stories of their own latke recipes as they watched the chef go through his recipe step-by-step and were able to enjoy a sampling of what was prepared.
Latkes are traditionally served with either applesauce or sour cream, depending on whether the meal is meat or dairy; both were available for residents to enjoy.
“As a Jewish family, we love getting together for the holidays, the bigger the crowd, the better,” saidCarol Sussman, a resident at the assisted living community, thoroughly enjoyed the demonstration and complimented the chef on his technique. “I used to cook latkes for Hanukkah, but now my daughter has taken over that job. I taught her everything I know!”
On December 6, Town of BrookhavenSupervisor Ed Romaine, and members of the Town Council visited Allied Pediatrics of Rocky Point to celebrate the Two Millionth Diaper milestone of Allied Foundation Diaper Bank. The Allied Foundation Diaper Bank exists to end diaper need for families who struggle to afford a sufficient supply here on Long Island. Diapers are distributed free of charge to families in need through a network of 60 nonprofit partners, including Long Island Lending a Helping Hand.
Allied Foundation is a for-impact organization founded by the pediatricians of Allied Physicians Group in 2015 and Long Island’s only member of the National Diaper Bank Network. They use a combination of fundraising and program implementation to improve the health and well-being of people in the community.
Without access to clean, dry diapers, some families resort to unsafe diapering practices, resulting in infection, rash and poor health outcomes. Currently, diapers are not recognized as a basic need by SNAP, WIC or Medicaid. Disposable diapers can cost $80 per month, per baby-up. To a donation, visit www.alliedfoundation.org. Donations up to $20,000 will be matched.
Pictured in the back row, left to right are Supervisor Ed Romaine; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Scott Svitek, MD, Chair, Allied Foundation Board of Directors, pediatrician at Commack Pediatric Associates (an Allied practice); Heather Edwards, Executive Director, Allied Foundation; Kerry Fierstein, MD, President and CEO, Allied Physicians Group and Adjuvant.Health, Member, Allied Foundation Board of Directors; Dawn Lang, Founder, Long Island Lending a Helping Hand; Kelly McCauley, Secretary, Long Island Lending a Helping Hand; Councilman Neil Foley; Councilman Kevin LaValle; Kevin Edwards, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Adjuvant.Health; Front Row, left to right, are Yessenia, her daughter Dulce and baby is Geneses; Maria in tan puffy jacket: with her daughter Mariana.
On December 5, a Good Samaritan brought a stray cat to the Brookhaven Town Animal Shelter and Adoption Center after caring and feeding her for the past three months. Upon examining “Mimi,” the Animal Shelter Veterinarian tech found she had a microchip that traced her back to a family in East Setauket. When they contacted the owners, they couldn’t believe what they heard since “Mimi” had been lost 10 years ago. The owners had looked everywhere for “Mimi” and they thought she was never to be found. They have since moved to Spain with their three other cats and are now arranging an animal transport company to fly “Mimi” back to Spain with them.
The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center is celebrating the holiday season with its “Home for the Holidays” promotion, featuring free pet adoptions now through the month of December. Each adoption includes free neuter or spay, vaccinations, microchip, heartworm test, flea and other tests. The normal adoption fees are $137 for a dog and $140 for a cat. All adoptable pets are looking for a forever home this holiday season.
If you are interested in adopting a dog or cat, visit the Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. For more information, visit the Town website or call 631-451-6950.
It’s been a while since I wrote, and I know you have a lot of last-minute requests at this time of year, so I’ll keep this short.
Kids around the world look to you as a role model for kindness and generosity. That must feel pretty good.
They also marvel at your round belly, claiming that it shakes when you laugh like a bowl full of jelly. Then, they literally feed that belly by setting out cookies and other sweets for you on Christmas Eve.
I have nothing against your round belly, but I’m concerned about the message it sends. We’re currently facing an epidemic of overweight kids and an ever-increasing number of children with type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, the percentage of children in the U.S. between ages 10 and 19 with type 2 diabetes nearly doubled from 2001 to 2017. You, Santa, with your influence, can help reverse this trend.
Obesity has a much higher risk of shortening a person’s life span, not to mention affecting their quality of life. The most dangerous type of obesity is visceral adipose tissue, which means central belly fat. An easy way to tell if someone is too rotund is if their waistline, measured from the navel, is 40 inches or more for a man and 35 inches or more for a woman. Risks for pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and heart disease increase dramatically with this increased fat.
Santa, here is your opportunity to lead by example (and, maybe by summer, to fit into those skinny jeans you hide in the back of your closet).
Think of the personal advantages of being trimmer. Your joints won’t ache with the winter cold, and you will have more energy. Plus, studies show that, with a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you can reverse clogged arteries and avoid strokes, heart attacks and peripheral vascular disease. With a simple change, like eating a handful of raw nuts a day, you can reduce your heart disease risk significantly.
Losing weight will also change your center of gravity, which will make it easier for you to keep your balance on those steep, icy rooftops.
Exercise will help as well. Maybe this Christmas Eve, you could walk or jog alongside the sleigh for the first continent or so. As you continue to exercise during the “offseason,” you’ll start to tighten your abs and slowly see fat disappear from your midsection.
This might make it easier to steal a base or two during the North Pole Athletic League’s Softball season. The elves don’t even bother holding you on base anymore, do they?
Of course, the cookies don’t help. You might let slip that the modern Santa enjoys fruits, especially berries, and veggies, with an emphasis on cruciferous veggies like broccoli florets dipped in humus, which have substantial antioxidant qualities and can help reverse disease. And, of course, skip putting candy in the stockings. No one needs more sugar, and I’m sure that, over the long night, it’s hard to resist sneaking a few pieces, yourself.
As for your loyal fans, you could place active games under the tree. You and your elves could create an app with workout videos for those of us who need them, and we could follow along as you showed us “12 Days of Workouts with Santa and Friends.” Who knows, you might become the next Shaun T!
You could gift athletic equipment, such as baseball gloves, footballs and basketballs, instead of video games. Or wearable devices that track step counts and bike routes. Or stuff gift certificates for dance lessons into people’s stockings.
As you become more active, you’ll find that you have more energy all year round, not just on Christmas Eve. If you start soon, Santa, maybe by next year, you’ll be able to park the sleigh farther away and skip from chimney to chimney.
The benefits of a healthier Santa will ripple across the world. Your reindeer won’t have to work so hard. You might fit extra presents in your sleigh. And Santa, you will be sending kids and adults the world over the right message about taking control of their health through nutrition and exercise. That’s the best gift you could give!
Wishing you good health in the coming year,
David
P.S. If you have a little extra room in your sleigh, I could use a new pair of batting gloves. I hear the Yankees need help, and I’ve been practicing, just in case.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com.
If you receive Social Security, you’ve probably already heard that your checks in 2023 will be bigger — considerably bigger, in fact. How can you make the best use of this extra money?
Here’s what’s happening: For 2023, there’s an 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits — the largest increase in 40 years. Also, the monthly Medicare Part B premiums are declining next year, to $164.90/month from $170.10/month, which will also modestly boost Social Security checks for those enrolled in Part B, as these premiums are automatically deducted.
Of course, the sizable COLA is due to the high inflation of 2022, as the Social Security Administration uses a formula based on increases in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). So, it’s certainly possible that you will need some, or perhaps all, of your larger checks to pay for the increased cost of goods and services. But if your cash flow is already relatively strong, you might want to consider these suggestions for using your bigger checks:
Reduce withdrawals from your investment portfolio. When you’re retired, you will likely need to withdraw a certain amount from your portfolio each year to meet your expenses. A boost in your Social Security may enable you to withdraw less, at least for a year. This can be particularly advantageous when the markets are down, as you’d like to avoid, as much as possible, selling investments and withdrawing the money when investment prices are low. And the fewer investments you need to sell, the longer your portfolio may last during your retirement years.
Help build your cash reserves. When you’re retired, it’s a good idea to maintain about a year’s worth of the amount you’ll spend from your portfolio in cash, while also keeping three months’ of your spending needs in an emergency fund, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. Your higher Social Security checks could help you build these cash reserves. (Also, it’s helpful to keep another three to five years’ worth of spending from your portfolio in short-term, fixed-income investments, which now, due to higher interest rates, offer better income opportunities.)
Contribute to a 529 plan. You could use some of your extra Social Security money to contribute to a tax-advantaged 529 education savings plan for your grandchildren or other family members.
Contribute to charitable organizations. You might want to use some of your Social Security money to expand your charitable giving. Your generosity will help worthy groups and possibly bring you some tax benefits, too.
While it’s nice to have these possible options in 2023, you can’t count on future COLA increases being as large. The jump in inflation in 2022 was due to several unusual factors, including pandemic-related government spending, supply shortages and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It’s quite possible, perhaps even likely, that inflation will subside in 2023, which, in turn, would mean a smaller COLA bump in 2024.
Nonetheless, while you might not want to include large annual COLA increases as part of your long-term financial strategy, you may well choose to take advantage, in some of the ways described above, of the bigger Social Security checks you’ll receive in 2023. When opportunity knocks, you may want to open the door.
Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook. Member SIPC.
This week’s shelter pet is handsome Doc who was found as a stray at the end of November and is nowdoing his residency at the Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter until he can move on to a permanent home.
Doc
At approximately 8 years old, this man has a purr that won’t quit and an appetite for love and affection. Doc is diabetic, so he will need a home that can manage insulin injections twice a day and vet visits twice a year. This cat loves all people and would be a great addition to any home. He is available for adoption or as a Forever Foster.
If you would like to meet Doc, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only).
For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.
The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook recently received two grant awards totaling $50,000 from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector. Following New York State’s historic investment for the arts, NYSCA has awarded $90 million since Spring 2022 to a record number of artists and organizations across the state.
The Jazz Loft has received a Regrowth and Capacity grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. This grant will support the organization’s performance schedule of more than 160 show each year, as the Loft continues its ongoing recovery from pandemic challenges.
Tom Manuel, president and founder of the Jazz Loft, said the funding will allow significant programming additions to the 2023-24 season and allow the Jazz Loft to highlight collaborations with music students in the Loft School of Jazz program as well.
NYSCA Chair Katherine Nicholls said, “On behalf of the entire Council, I congratulate the Jazz Loft on this grant award. Their creative work provides the benefits of the arts to both their community and all of New York. Arts organizations are essential, leading our tourism economy and fueling sectors such as hospitality, transit, and Main Streets across our state. “
“As a cultural capital of the world, New York State is strengthened by our expansive coverage of the arts across all 62 counties.This year’s historic commitment to the arts sector will spur our continuing recovery from the pandemic and set the course for a stronger future,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.
“We are immensely grateful to Governor Hochul and the Legislature for their unprecedented investment of $240 million to support arts organizations across the state. New York State arts organizations such as the Jazz Loft are the cornerstone of our vibrant arts economy. As crucial drivers of our health and vitality, we are grateful to the unwavering dedication of arts workers across the state,” added NYSCA Executive Director Mara Manus.
Whether it’s been a banner year or a tough one, having some fun to celebrate the new year is never a bad idea. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend New Year’s Eve, then consider grabbing your friends or family and heading over to one of several lighthearted comedy events in the area.
Theatre Three in Port Jefferson is hosting two comedy performances for their New Year’s Laughin’ Eve celebration: an early bird show at 6 p.m. and a prime time show at 8 p.m.
Now in its 14th year, the event is hosted by Paul Anthony of the Long Island Comedy Festival. “This night of comedy is something that people look forward to every year,” said Douglas Quattrock, artistic associate and director of development for Theatre Three. “We always make an effort to mix up the comedians that we feature so it’s always fresh for our audiences.”
This year’s national headliners include Rich Walker, Eric Tartaglione, and John Ziegler.
Beer, wine, soda and snacks will be available for purchase and are welcome in the theater during the show. Early bird tickets are $55 per person, while tickets to the prime show are $65 per person available for purchase at www.theatrethree.com or by calling 631-928-9100.
Over on the South Shore, the Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village will also team up with the Long Island Comedy Festival to offer two comedy shows at6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Featuring Bryan McKenna, Maria Walsh and a headline performance by Chris Roach, the Argyle shows promise to heat things up while having fun. Purchase tickets for $50 to $60 per person by visiting www.argyletheatre.com or call 631-230-3500.
Later that night, the Smithtown Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is hosting their own night of comedy in partnership with Governor’s Comedy Clubs starting at 10 p.m. Comedy has been a mainstay at SPAC on New Year’s Eve for more than 10 years now, with 2022 marking the end of a two-year hiatus during the pandemic.
“Everyone is just excited to get together and be entertained again, and we’re thrilled to provide the opportunity for some laughter,” said SPAC managing director Kelly Mucciolo. “We began working with Governor’s this past summer and it’s been a lot of fun for all of us.”
Headlining the SPAC show is Chris Monty of CBS’ “Kevin Can Wait,” along with featured act Tony Landolfi, guest performer Debbie D’Amore and emcee Mary Capone.
Tickets are $70 for SPAC members and $75 for general admission. The show includeshors d’oeuvres, an open bar of beer and wine, and a champagne toast at midnight. To purchase tickets visit www.smithtownpac.org.
If you receive Social Security, you’ve probably already heard that your checks in 2023 will be bigger — considerably bigger, in fact. How can you make the best use of this extra money?
Prev
