Start preparing for your
Hanukkah meal two weeks before, so that when the day arrives, you can spend more time with your family.
A Few Weeks Before:
Order a 5- to 6-pound fresh beef brisket from your butcher.
Prepare two grocery lists -- one for nonperishable items that can be purchased now and one for perishable items that need to be purchased a few days before your Hanukkah meal.
The Day Before:
Buy remaining grocery items, including the beef brisket.
Set the table.
For the Festive Tossed Salad, make the dressing; cover and refrigerate. Cut up all the salad ingredients; place in separate airtight containers or resealable plastic bags and refrigerate.
Bake the Festive Tossed Salad and Glazed Lebkuchen; cover and store at room temperature.
The Day of Hanukkah Dinner:
In the morning, peel the potatoes for the Latkes. Place in a bowl; cover with cold water and refrigerate until ready to grate.
Make Savory Beef Brisket and Latkes.
Remove the salad dressing from the refrigerator. Just before serving, assemble the Festive Tossed Salad; shake the dressing and pour over the salad.
Set out the Festive Tossed Salad.
Serve the Glazed Lebkuchen for dessert.