Potato latkes. Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a food can be? Latkĕs or latkēs, through the years, have sparked controversy. And more than one controversy beginning with the pronunciation. Do you say Latka, or latke? Is it CHanukkah or Hanukkah? Oy! so much to unpack. As most people know, during the festival of lights, Hanukkah, Jewish people eat a lot of food that is cooked in oil, one of the most delicious being latkes. We eat food cooked in oil because of the miracle of the oil lasting eight crazy nights when there was only enough for one night.

You have probably heard me say before the way to sum up any Jewish holiday is: we fought, we won, let's eat! And just about every Jewish holiday has particular foods associated with them. Matzah and Passover. Apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah, Sufiganot (donuts) and latkes for Hanukkah.

This is Mama Miche, and today in My Magic Kitchen: Brussels sprouts with bacon

Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite vegetables. I've kinda sorta always liked them, on and off, throughout the years. The only way we had them growing up was the frozen with butter sauce kind, and usually, I liked them. Not always. Sometimes, they tasted bitter.

But as I got older and moved out on my own, it wasn't until maybe my 40s that I started buying fresh Brussels sprouts and roasting them, just with a dash of salt and pepper. Perfection. This is my other favorite way to eat them. Bacon takes it to that next-level chef's kiss.

Today in My Magic Kitchen: garlic mashed potatoes

In my never humble opinion, mashed potatoes are the epitome of comfort food. They go with just about any main course and any other side. Garlic mashed potatoes are just my favorite way of making them because I love garlic, and I'm not afraid of vampires. That's right! Let Mama Miche make your kitchen magic!