Alayne Zatulovs Giant Vegetable Latkes Recipes

ALAYNE ZATULOV'S SWEET HANUKKAH FRITTERS

Steps:

• Combine raisins and wine, and set aside.
• Proof the yeast by dissolving it with sugar and water in a large bowl. When it becomes foamy, after about 5 minutes, add flour, egg and anise seeds and mix well. Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
• Add raisins and pine nuts, cover, and allow dough to rise 1 hour longer.
• Heat oil for deep frying in a skillet, wok or electric fryer. Oil should be maintained at 375 degrees.
• Using 2 teaspoons held together, drop dollops of the batter into the hot oil. Dipping teaspoons in cold water will facilitate this. Allow fritters to brown on one side, and then turn to brown other side. Do not crowd fritters in the pan. As they are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to absorbent paper.
• Serve fritters while they are still warm, with honey syrup spooned over or dusted with confectioners' sugar.

GIANT LATKE

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and grate them on the large holes of a box grater into a colander set over a large bowl. Grate the onion into the colander and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Firmly squeeze the potatoes and onion to extract as much liquid as possible, letting it drain into the bowl. Transfer the potato mixture to a separate large bowl. Add the egg and matzo meal or flour and stir well.
• Heat a medium cast-iron or other heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the oil or chicken fat and heat until shimmering. Add the potato mixture and press down with a spoon or spatula to make an even layer. Cook until deep golden brown and crisp on the bottom, 8 to 10 minutes. (After a few minutes, check to make sure the latke is browning evenly and rotate the latke in the skillet as needed. If it's sticking, loosen it with a small spatula.)
• Carefully slide the latke onto a plate using a wide spatula. Flip the latke on the plate, then quickly slide it back into the skillet, cooked-side up. Continue cooking until well browned on the second side and cooked through, 8 to 10 more minutes. (Lower the heat as needed if the latke is browning too quickly.) Remove the latke to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
• Wipe out the skillet and return the latke to the skillet or transfer to a cutting board. Slice into wedges and serve with assorted toppings.

PAN-FRIED GIANT LATKE WITH CARAMELIZED APPLES AND SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Combine the apples, sugar and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl and toss to coat.
• Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until just starting to brown around the edges. Add the apples and cook, stirring often, until they are a deep, dark golden color, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
• Preheat a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet.
• Peel the potatoes and shred them in a food processor fitted with the shredding blade; transfer the shredded potatoes to a large colander as the food processor fills up. Press them firmly to remove any excess moisture, pat dry with paper towels and transfer to a large bowl.
• Grate the onion in the food processor and stir into the potatoes along with the matzo meal, egg, baking powder and 2 teaspoons salt. Immediately move to cooking the potato mixture or it will purge too much water and not be crispy.
• Add 1/4 cup of the oil to your preheated skillet and as soon as it shimmers add the potato mixture in handfuls, creating an even layer and leaving any excess moisture in the bowl. Cook until golden and crispy on the bottom, about 6 minutes. Slide the latke on to the wire rack.
• Return the skillet to the heat and add the remaining 1/4 cup oil. Once it is shimmering cover the latke with a round platter or large pot lid and in one swift motion invert the rack with the latke cooked-side up onto your platter or lid. Carefully slide the latke back into the skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Slide back on to the wire rack and let drain for a minute.
• Transfer the latke to a serving platter, top with the sour cream, caramelized apples and sprinkle with the herbs.

VEGETABLE LATKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine matzo meal, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
• Separate egg whites and yolks. Beat egg yolks, and combine with water. Add the yolk mixture to the matzo meal mixture, and let it stand for 30 minutes.
• Beat egg whites with an electric mixer until they are stiff, and fold them into the matzo meal mixture. Add grated onion, zucchini, broccoli, spinach, carrots, scallions, and sun- dried tomatoes if you're using them.
• Heat corn oil until it sizzles in a deep skillet. Lower heat, and, using a cooking spoon, spoon batter into the pan, creating thin pancakes 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Fry for several minutes, turning when the pancake is firm and the bottom side is golden brown. Turn and fry for another few minutes until the other side is done. Drain on paper towel. Serve with sour cream.Occasionally stir mixture left in the bowl during the process of spooning latkes into the pan.

VEGETABLE LATKES

Steps:

• 1. In a colander, rinse the parsnip and potatoes under cold water. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels; transfer to a mixing bowl.
• 2. Stir in the carrots, leeks (or onion), flour, baking powder, eggs, salt, and pepper.
• 3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• 4. Drop in large spoonfuls of the batter, flattening each with the back of the spoon. Cook, turning once, until brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined baking sheet in a 200°F oven until serving.

VEGETABLE LATKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and place it on the center rack of the oven. Peel the carrots, parsnips, and potato, and grate them on the large holes of a box grater. Place the grated vegetables on a clean kitchen towel, fold it around them, and squeeze tightly to remove all excess moisture. Transfer the grated vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add the sliced scallions, flour, and salt and pepper, and toss to combine well. Add the lightly beaten eggs, and mix well.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, and add 2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Make a few latkes at a time; for each, shape 2 tablespoons of the vegetable mixture and place in the skillet. Cook 2 minutes on each side, until golden and crisp. Transfer cooked latkes to prepared baking sheet in oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil and latke mixture.
• Serve the latkes warm with dollops of sour cream, and salt and pepper to taste.

TRICOLOR VEGETABLE LATKES

Steps:

• Arrange grated zucchini and squash on a large baking pan; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
• Let vegetables rest 15 minutes.
• Drain well, pressing between paper towels, and set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a small sauté pan, and sauté leek 3 minutes or until soft; set aside.
• Grate potatoes, and press between paper towels to remove excess water.
• Place potatoes in a large bowl; add zucchini, squash, leek, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and stir gently.
• Add red onion and next 6 ingredients, stirring gently to combine.
• Heat 2 to 4 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Spoon heaping tablespoons of latke mixture, if you have one use a scoop, squeeze out extra liquid, and form into flat patties.
• Fry latkes, in batches, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden.
• Remove from skillet, and drain on paper towels.
• Top each with a piece of smoked salmon, a dollop of sour cream, and caviar.
• Serve immediately.

VEGETABLE AND FETA LATKES

Steps:

• Place the zucchini, potato and carrots in a colander, place paper towels or a cheesecloth over the top and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Sprinkle salt over the vegetables and let them drain for 15 minutes. Squeeze vegetable again in paper towels.
• In a large mixing bowl combine eggs, vegetables, salt and pepper. Mix well. Stir in matzo meal or flour, parsley and feta.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Place vegetable mixture, formed into pancake sized cakes in hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. (Cook two to three minutes per side). Add more oil as needed to keep cakes frying up well. Drain fried latkes on paper towels.