05 December 2007

Latkes (Traditional Chanukah Recipe)


POTATO LATKES

What is the secret to making great latkes? I've found that the starchier the potato, the crisper the latke. As for varieties, I've tried baking potatoes (the starchiest), Yukon Golds, and boiling potatoes (the least starchy) and liked the flavor of them all. You can easily double this recipe for a crowd.

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

Ingredients

1 lb potatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped scallions, including the green part
2 tbsp matzo meal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 3/4 cup olive oil
Accompaniments: sour cream and applesauce

Preparation

Preheat oven to 250°F.
Peel potatoes and coarsely grate by hand, transferring to a large bowl of cold water as grated.
Soak potatoes 1 to 2 minutes after last batch is added to water, then drain well in a colander.
Spread grated potatoes and onion on a kitchen towel and roll up jelly-roll style.
Twist towel tightly to wring out as much liquid as possible.
Transfer potato mixture to a bowl all other ingredients.

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking.
Working in batches of 4 latkes, spoon 2 tablespoons potato mixture per latke into skillet, spreading into 3-inch rounds with a fork.
Reduce heat to moderate and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes.
Turn latkes over and cook until undersides are browned, about 5 minutes more.
Transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt.
Add more oil to skillet as needed.
Keep latkes warm on a wire rack set in a shallow baking pan in oven.

Notes:
• Latkes may be made up to 8 hours ahead. Reheat on a rack set over a baking sheet in a 350°F oven, about 5 minutes.
• Grating the potatoes, soaking them briefly in water, and then squeezing out the liquid (as stated here) keeps the batter from turning brown too quickly.
Makes 12 to 16 latkes.

3 comments:

Schmoop said...

You know just how to melt the Matt-Man's heart. Those look wonderful. Cheers Jamie!!

eProf2 said...

I hope you've been able to stay dry up there in Tacoma. Obviously, your blogging and not about the rain but I was thinking about you and wondering if the storms have left you a lot of rain and water near or in your home. Give us a post on your storms.

Shelly Kneupper Tucker said...

Aww, Jamie! I was doing so well staying away from potatoes. Now, I'm cooked. I have to try this.
This Eclectic Life

P.S. Though I read often, I don't comment because blogspot is making it so difficult for me! I have to type my whole link!