Giant Latke Recipes

GIANT LATKE SKILLET

Steps:

• For the latke: Drape a clean dish towel (or cheesecloth) over a colander. Grate the potatoes and onion in food processor or by hand with a box grater and place inside the towel-lined colander. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, toss around and let drain in the sink for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Squeeze as much moisture as possible out of the potato-onion mixture. Combine with 1/2 teaspoon salt, the lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, matzo meal and 2 to 3 turns of black pepper in a medium bowl and mix to form a pasty mixture. Fold the dill into the mix. Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Place a 10-inch cast-iron skillet on medium heat and allow to heat for 5 minutes. Also, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add 4 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Flick a little piece of the potato-onion mixture into the oil; if it's hot enough, it will sizzle lightly.
• Roll the potato-onion mixture into a ball and place it in the middle of the pan. Gently press with spatula to flatten the mixture so it evenly covers the bottom of the pan. Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes. Transfer to oven and bake for 10 minutes. By this time, the latke should be firm enough to flip without falling apart. Transfer the pan to the stove. Place a plate over the pan and carefully invert to flip the latke. Slide it back into the pan and bake for another 10 minutes.
• For the topping: To assemble, place the latke on a plate. Spread some creme fraiche over the latke, then lay the salmon slices on top in an even layer. Top with the eggs, a dash of hot sauce, a few more dollops of the creme fraiche, the dill and chopped scallions, a few turns of black pepper and a pinch of salt. Slice into wedges to serve.

ALAYNE ZATULOV'S GIANT VEGETABLE LATKES

Steps:

• Combine shredded potatoes, carrots, onion, celery root and apple in a bowl. Stir in eggs, parsley, flour and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat half the oil until very hot in a heavy 10-inch skillet. Spread vegetable mixture into the skillet in an even layer, covering the entire surface.
• Fry vegetable mixture undisturbed until edges begin to show color, 5 to 8 minutes. If it sticks to the pan, gently release it with a thin spatula.
• When the underside is golden, slide the pancake onto a large plate. Invert another plate over it, and flip it over. Add remaining oil to the skillet, and when it is hot, slide the pancake back into the skillet to brown the other side. Fry until crisp.