Every year on Christmas when most American families were sidling up to a feast of ham or turkey, my family followed a different custom. Like so many American Jews since the middle of the 20th century, we went to our favorite local Chinese restaurant.
Now, I know this tradition is stereotypical and honestly a lot of Jewish people just keep it ironically. The fact is, the funny American Jewish custom of spending Christmas eating at Chinese restaurants and seeing movies in otherwise empty theaters is one rooted in practicality. Whether or not we celebrate the holiday in our homes, Jews still get the day off work for Christmas. Given a day of vacation, it's really a shame to have to cook and there's never anything on television on the 25th of December. It only makes sense to go out. The problem is that most restaurants and entertainment venues are closed on Christmas. Most, but not all. Coming from a non-Christian culture, the Chinese have no reason to take the night off except for a lack of customers. For decades now, hungry Jewish families have filled the empty chairs in those restaurants.
There's also something really wonderful about going to a movie theater and knowing practically everyone else there. As we stand in line for our popcorn, we can laugh and chat with our friends from temple. We know it's kind of a silly tradition, but that's what makes it fun.
This year, many parts of the country have been hit with some nasty winter weather. It may be dangerous to go out tonight, but that's no reason to ignore a tradition. Here's a recipe to make your Jewish Christmas a hit.
Sweet and Sour Chicken
If you have an iron skillet, you're in good shape. Get your pan as hot as you can get it, so hot a drop of water instantly turns to steam. When your pan is hot enough, coat with vegetable oil and add one pound of chunked boneless, skinless chicken breast that has been coated in egg whites, cornstarch and salt. Make sure your chicken is evenly-coated and has been given time to rest in the mixture in a cool place for 20 minutes. While your chicken is resting, you can whip up a quick but tasty sauce made from pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, salt and brown sugar.
Brown your chicken in the hot pan by laying a single layer and letting it sit for one minute untouched, then flipping it and letting it brown for one more minute. After all your chicken is browned and removed from the pan, add another teaspoon of oil to the pan along with some bell pepper and fresh ginger. After one minute, add some pineapple chunks as well as the sauce. Make sure your heat is on High and return the chicken to the pan. Let this all simmer together for another minute or two, however long it takes for the chicken to be cooked through. If it's pink in the middle, it needs more time.
That's it. Serve it on a bed of rice or just as it is, if you prefer. Merry Christmas and Happy fifth night of Chanukah.