Passover Potato Latke Recipes

CLASSIC POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dishtowel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible.
• Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed.
• In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot (a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle), use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.

LATKES

Steps:

• Shred the potatoes and onion in a food processor or with a grater or mandoline. Place in a strainer that has been lined with cheesecloth or a damp kitchen towel. Toss with 3/4 teaspoon salt and let sit over a bowl to drain for 30 minutes.
• Gather the top of the cheesecloth and use your hands to squeeze out as much excess moisture as you can. Transfer the vegetables to a clean bowl; mix in the eggs, lemon juice, flour and some pepper.
• Heat 1/4 inch canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, fry loosely packed rounded tablespoons of the potato mixture until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Add more oil to the pan and adjust the temperature as needed. Transfer to a paper towel?lined plate, season with salt and set aside.

POTATO LATKES I

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a cheesecloth and wring, extracting as much moisture as possible.
• In a medium bowl stir the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt together.
• In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until hot. Place large spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down on them to form 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick patties. Brown on one side, turn and brown on the other. Let drain on paper towels. Serve hot!

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.

CLASSIC POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Coarsley grate the potatoes and onion into a large bowl, or use a food processor with a coarse grating blade. Leave the mixture to rest for about 15 mins so the liquid releases from the onions and potatoes. Carefully drain off the liquid for about 30 mins until the mixture is dry, then put in a cheese cloth and squeeze out the remaining liquid.
• Add the eggs, flour, 1 tsp sea salt and pepper, and mix well. Pour the oil into the pan so that it is 2-3cm deep. Set over a medium heat for a few minutes until it ripples.
• Carefully spoon in the mixture to the size you want - 2 tbsp for large latkes or 1 tbsp for small. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, and cook on each side until browned for 2 mins. Remove to a plate lined with kitchen paper, then season with a sprinkling of salt. Serve with the soured cream and smoked salmon, finished with a sprinkling of chives, or just apple sauce - both are traditional.

POTATO LATKES / MUFFINS (PASSOVER)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a little of the oil to grease a nonstick 12-muffin tin.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a heavy nonstick skillet. Add the onions, and saute over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon paprika; remove from heat.
• Coarsely grate the potatoes by hand or in a food processor. Put them in a large strainer, and press out excess liquid. Transfer them to a bowl, and stir in the onions, eggs, salt and pepper.
• Put a scant 1/3 cup of the potato mixture in each muffin tin. Smooth the tops lightly, brush with the remaining oil and sprinkle with a little paprika. Bake about 40 minutes, until brown at the edges and firm. Remove the muffins and serve at once, or leave in the pans to keep warm for 15 minutes or so.