Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish holiday, is a time of light, prayer and, of course, food. These recipes mix in just the right amount of fresh, new flavors to excite your guests without straying too far from tradition. 

Here are four Southern-inspired recipes to add to your menu.  

Low and Slow Braised Beef Brisket
This no-fail, fall-apart tender brisket recipe gets a tasty kick with a secret ingredient: Cajun seasoning. This recipe requires at least 12 hours of oven time, so feel free to cook it up ahead of time and reheat in the oven before dinner. (Or, feel free to use a slow cooker for a no-fuss approach.)
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Sweet Potato Cakes 
No Hanukkah celebration is complete without some kind of tasty treat fried in oil. These addictive sweet potato cakes do just that, so be sure to make plenty — these crispy cakes will go fast! 
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Homemade Fig, Mustard and Apple Chutney
With just the right amount of sweet and spice, this chuntey is a serious upgrade from applesauce in a jar. With a beautiful depth of flavor, it goes beyond the latke and can be served alongside a holiday roast, used as a spread for your next sandwich or grilled cheese, or added to a holiday party cheese board. 
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Triple Layer Applesauce Cake
Finish the meal with something sweet, plus a little nod to tradition with this delecately spiced cake. The key to this fluffy and light dessert is the applesauce mixed in — be sure to use chunky applesauce or the batter will be too runny. 
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Photo Credit (Homemade Fig, Mustard, and Apple Chutney): Lisa Lotts 

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