Chodesh Tov! Even as we enter the darkest month of the year, there is optimism in the air in Kislev. The child in us knows that Chanukah is in just a few weeks, who isn't longing for light? The comforting glow of the menorah warms our neshamos and gives us a glimmer of the good that is always hidden in life’s challenges.

Chanukah also brings with it more reasons to gather with friends, family and community & because we are Jewish, that always involves food, of course!

To help you out, I’ve put together four Cooking for the King Chanukah Menus including Shabbos and for the Americans, a menu for Hodu-day (Thanksgiving).

Yes, the recipes are from Cooking for the King, first edition. Maybe you thought it was just for Rosh Hashanah? Not at all. We make Dixie Corn Dollars and Sephardic Leek Patties every Chanukah in our house. And there are some delicious fish recipes and soups to go with your dairy and meat meals.

Classic Thanksgiving dishes like the Pumpkin Pie and Squash Casserole, got rave reviews. I think you are going to love these suggestions. So, please pull out your copy of Cooking for the King* and follow the links below to more recipes that include flavorful finger lickin’ latkes on theKosherChannel.com. Enjoy being Queen in your Chanukah Kitchen this year. Don’t forget to let me know how it goes.

Now for some great news! Drum roll….the second edition of Cooking for the King will iy”H be Chanukah 5775. I am looking for testers and I cannot think of anyone better to include than the fabulous readers of theKosherChannel. To find out more about that, click here.