Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah

Whether you're Jewish or not, here are some fun Hanukkah treats you could be eating right now!  To start, Hanukkah Chanukah cookies.  Not sure what brilliant marketer came up with this idea, but ever since I started seeing them years ago at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (yes, really), I haven't been able to get enough.  Who can resist packaging so festive it rivals reindeer and elves?  I sure can't.  And the handy carrying case handle?  Pure genius.  

The accidentally vegan ingredients might not be anything to brag about, but the taste is most pleasantly delicious: shortbread with a hint of lemon; they really hit the spot.

yep; those are cool asparagus spears on my dish

Nothing says Hanukkah like...pasta?  

I bought these adorable dreidel/menorah/Star of David shaped carbs for my parents, but then I stole them back to make Hanukkah mac 'n cheese.  

Since there was a menorah on the label, isn't it implied that it would be included?

I did share; so, that's something.

the sriracha was all mine

I wasn't able to snag any Sweet and Sara marshmallow dreidels or Gone Pie macaroons before the holiday (these holidays are just piling up on me), but I was gifted these fine specimens of chocolate Judaica from a good friend who purchased them from none other than Lagusta's Luscious.

Maybe it was the pleasant blue and white glow of the season.  Perhaps it was the warm intent with which the cute sweets were gifted.  

Nah; it was the cool (natural) blue decoration that wooed me.  I'm not really into plain chocolate (with one glaring exception), but these dreidels are winners by default on cuteness and color alone; well done.

you have to give it up for natural blue

Remember, Hanukkah is a long one; there may be more treats to come.  

gift #1!

Until then, have a happy.

Is "Popcorn With Herbs & Spices" Code For Herbal Corn Imposter?

I'm sure I don't need to remind you of my affinity for Little Lad's Herbal Corn, but sometimes I'm just not near Lad's or Whole Foods when I'm in the mood for some tasty, popped corn.  Enter Trader Joe's popcorn with herbs & spices.  A local vegan-in-the-know alerted me to the existence of this pseudo herbal corn and I had to give it a try.

The taste is similar, but not at all identical.  While the prevalent taste in herbal corn is nutritional yeast, popcorn with herbs & spices specifies only "dried yeast."  And even though the yellow bits look awfully familiar- they are clearly not in as much abundance as in herbal corn.  Instead of supporting, dill is the prominent flavor in popcorn with herbs & spices.

The other significant difference is in the crunch.  For some reason, I found TJ's offering to be considerably crisper than Lad's. I won't say that made it better or worse, but it was appreciated.

89 loves nooch, but popcorn is a no-no

On a scale from 1-5, Trader Joe's popcorn with herbs & spices scores a 4, while Little Lad's herbal corn holds steady at high number 5.  I conferred with a friend and fellow herbal corn lover and he agreed- making the results indisputable.  In a pinch, you'll be happy you have it.  But, if given the choice, you'll always reach for the Lad's.