American Caviar With Crispy Yukon Gold Potato Pancakes Recipes

POTATO PANCAKES (AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN) RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• Toss grated potatoes, onion and salt together. Put half of mixture at a time into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze liquids into measuring cup. Put drained potatoes into bowl. Put potatoes into microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, mixing with fork every 30 seconds. Mix and let cool down. Spread onto baking sheet and they will cool faster. Let oil heat up in skillet. CAREFULLY pour off liquid saving remaining starch on bottom. Return potatoes back to bowl from baking sheet. Mix 2 eggs together and add to starch in measuring cup and mix. Add to bowl of potatoes. Add parsley and pepper and toss until evenly coated. Make sure oil in pan is 350 degrees. Take potatoes in quarter cup mound and add to pan and then push out to about 1/3 inch thick. Should be about 3 minutes a side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. You can keep warm in 200 degree oven to keep warm until all pancakes are done.

CRISP RöSTI POTATOES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and grate them, using the large holes of a hand grater or a food processor. Put the potatoes in a large bowl, add the salt and pepper, and toss to coat thoroughly. Let the potatoes rest for at least 5 minutes, and then, working with a fistful at a time, squeeze as much liquid as possible out of them and transfer to a second bowl. (The potatoes will start to discolor, but that won't really affect the final results.) Large holes mean faster work, better texture. A very finely grated potato could turn mushy during cooking.
• To make one large rösti-Heat a heavy-based skillet that measures about 8 inches across the base over medium-high heat. Add the oil (it should come to a depth of about 1/8 inch; add more if-necessary.) When the oil begins to ripple and quiver slightly, test it by dropping in a potato shred-it should sizzle enthusiastically. If not, wait a few more seconds. When the temperature is right, take a fistful of potatoes, wring it out once more, and let it fall loosely from your fingers into the center of the pan. (Be careful because the oil will spatter; getting hit by a few tiny droplets is inevitable.) Fill the pan gradually. Adding just a small amount at a time makes it easier to get an even layer.
• Working quickly, repeat until you've got enough potatoes in the pan to cover the bottom. With a fork, gently spread out the shreds of potato to make a layer about 1/2 inch thick, trying to distribute them evenly, avoiding dense or thin patches. If there are straggly potatoes around the edges, tuck them in with the fork also so they don't burn.
• Adjust the heat so that you hear a lively sizzle but the bottom isn't browning too rapidly. Cook until the underside is a deep golden brown and the potatoes on the top are starting to look translucent, 12 to 16 minutes. (Taste a few strands-they should be almost fully cooked and tender.)
• If you're confident enough to just flip the rösti in the pan, go for it-it's quick and efficient. If you're not, carefully slide the rösti out of the pan onto a dinner plate and return the pan to the heat. Put another plate on top of the rösti and, holding tightly, flip the plates over. Slide the inverted rösti back into the pan and continue cooking until the new bottom is browned and the potatoes feel really tender in the middle when poked with a knife (try to snitch a few strands from the center and taste them for doneness), another 6 to 8 minutes. Slide the rösti onto a cutting board if you're serving it immediately, or to a cooling rack to hold it for a few minutes. Blot the top with a paper towel to remove any excess oil. Cut into wedges and serve as soon as possible.
• Follow the directions above, but just drop handfuls of potatoes into the pan to create 4-inch rounds that are about 1/4 inch thick. Use a spatula to flip the rounds rather than sliding them onto a plate. Drain these small rösti on paper towels for a few seconds before serving.

THE YUKON VIA VERMONT: YUKON GOLD POTATO PANCAKES AND CHUNKY APPLESAUCE

Steps:

• Place chunked apples, brown sugar, juice or cider, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium pot over medium-high heat and let cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and reducing heat to medium when mixture comes to a boil.
• Preheat nonstick griddle pan or skillet over medium to medium high heat.
• Put the potatoes and onion in a colander. Squeeze liquid out of potatoes/onion. Place potatoes/onion in a bowl and work quickly to avoid discoloring potatoes. Add egg, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg.
• Combine pancake mixture and place bowl near stove. Melt a pat of butter on skillet pan and drop 3 to 4 inch circles of potato mixture onto hot surface. Cook pancakes 3 or 4 minutes on each side and repeat process until pancake mixture is gone.
• Stir hot, chunky applesauce to break up cooked apples and remove from heat. Layer pancakes with warm apple mixture and serve.

AMERICAN CAVIAR WITH CRISPY YUKON GOLD POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Using largest holes on box grater, shred potatoes into large bowl. Mix in egg and next 4 ingredients. Transfer potato mixture to strainer set over same bowl.
• Add enough oil to heavy medium skillet to reach depth of 1/4 inch. Heat oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into hot oil, flattening with back of spoon to form 2- to 3-inch-diameter 1/4-inch-thick pancakes. Fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer pancakes to paper towels to drain.
• Top pancakes with crème fraîche, red onion, and caviar; serve.
• *Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.