Sharon Lebewohl, Food Consultant and Co-Owner of Famed 2nd Ave Deli Launches Third Annual Hanukkah Hotline 1-866-GoLatke (1-866-542-2489)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joanne Cole/Cole Communications
212.995.1415 / jcolecom@aol.com

Back by Popular Demand, Global Hanukkah Hotline Provides Toll free Help for Culinary-Challenged Starting Sun. Dec. 10th 2006

NYC – Nov. 2006 –Sharon Lebewohl (chef, author of The 2^nd Ave Deli Cookbook and co-owner of the famed 2^nd Ave Deli) is re-launching the HANUKKAH HOTLINE 1-866-GO-LATKE (1-866-542-2489) offering help for aspiring and accomplished cooks, from Sun. Dec. 10 through Thurs. Dec. 21, 2006 from 9:00am – 9:00pm (EST). “The hotline honors the most popular Jewish holiday and I will personally respond to calls and emails sharonlebewohl@aol.com and my web site http://www.sharonlebewohl.com will offer help on-line,” says Sharon.

Cooks can either speak directly to Sharon or email her (sharonlebewohl@aol.com) for help preparing Hanukkah meals including menu and wine selection. Last year Sharon offered advice on everything from how to sweeten apple sauce without adding sugar (substitute 2-3 dates) to how to make perfect potato latkes (always use the potato starch left on the bottom of the bowl - potato starch is the essence of the latkes and adds substantial flavor and texture).

“What surprised me most when I hosted last year’s hotline was the number of non-Jewish callers, many from interfaith marriages. Also, it’s surprising how many people had simple questions, like “can I use sweet potatoes instead of baking potatoes,” or “is it religiously necessary to fry food in oil or is it just a tradition?” notes Sharon, who adds, “This December 16^th Jewish families around the world will gather for the traditional Hanukkah meal to celebrate freedom for the Jews and the miracle of the temple oil lasting eight days. Because Hanukkah is such an important family gathering for Jews everywhere my goal is to offer simple advice and pointers to help make the meal preparation easier; including ways to free up the host’s time after guests arrive,” says Sharon, daughter of 2^nd Ave Deli founder Abe Lebewohl.

Sharon Lebewohl’s Top 6 Tips For Hanukkah 2006:

To save time preparing potato latkes, grate potatoes beforehand. Submerge in cool water to avoid potatoes turning brown.
Never place cooked potato latkes on paper towel: they soak up the oil and get soggy. Instead, place them on a cookie or cake rack so the oil can drip down. Tip: Always heat cooked latkes in the oven, never the microwave, or they’ll get soggy.
Brisket is a traditional Hanukkah dish and ideal main dish because it tastes best the day after it’s cooked allowing the host to spend more time with guests. Tip: Brisket is so low-maintenance it doesn’t need a timer, just cook until it’s fork-tender.
Brighten apple sauce (another Hanukkah favorite) by adding ¼ cup of cranberries per 2-3 pounds of apples. Other brightening technique? Use a food mill to process Cortland apples with the peel or add ½ cup of grape juice per 3-4 pounds of apples.
Spice up your Hanukkah meal with non-traditional oil-infused dishes such as sweet anise fried fritters or Thai pastry balls with tamarind garlic sauce. Remember: It’s all about the oil - in Israel Jews make jelly donuts fried in oil.
Sweet potatoes can be used instead of Idaho (1st choice), followed by Yukon Gold which have a buttery taste (2^nd choice). Never use ‘non-starchy’ red-skin potatoes.

A graduate of the French Culinary Institute, Sharon is a popular culinary educator in Manhattan and around the country and appears frequently on national and local television. She has appeared on NBC-TV’s Today Show; with Martha Stewart on From Martha’s Kitchen; with Tony Danza on The Tony Danza Show; with Bobby Flay on the TV Food Network; with David Rosengarten on In Food Today and numerous local TV and radio shows.

Sharon, who has two sons Tzvi and Eliyahu, a daughter Ayalah and granddaughter Layah, lives in New York City where is currently working on her next cook book.

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