The Potato Pancake Principle By Joan Nathan Recipes

FRENCH POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Working quickly to avoid discoloration, cut onion and potatoes in large chunks and then shred them, either by hand or by using the grating blade of a food processor.
• One handful at a time and working over the sink, squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the potato and onion mixture and transfer to a medium bowl. Mix gently with your fingers. Pour the melted butter over the mixture, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and lightly work in with your fingers.
• Heat an 8-inch nonstick frying pan and pour in enough grapeseed oil to lightly coat the bottom. When oil is almost smoking, spoon half the potato mixture into the pan, spreading it over the bottom of the pan and patting it down gently with a spatula so it is about an inch thick. Use the spatula to push in stray pieces to make a clean edge.
• Fry for about 4 minutes on one side or until golden brown around the edges, then slide onto a plate. Invert the pan over the plate and flip, transferring pancake back into the pan on its other side. Cook for another 4 minutes or until crispy on the outside.
• Slide pancake onto a paper-towel-covered plate and blot with additional paper towels to absorb excess oil. Remove top paper towels and flip pancake onto a clean plate using the same method as above. Keep in a warm oven as you repeat the process with the remaining potato mixture.
• Season finished pancakes with more salt if desired. Using a sharp knife, cut like a pie into 6 pieces and serve each with a little apple compote and a dollop of crème fraîche.

CRISPY TRADITIONAL POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• 1. Peel the potatoes and put in cold water. Using a grater or a food processor coarsely grate the potatoes and onions. Place together in a fine-mesh strainer or tea towel and squeeze out all the water over a bowl. The potato starch will settle to the bottom; reserve that after you have carefully poured off the water.
• 2. Mix the potato and onion with the potato starch. Add the scallions, egg, and salt and pepper.
• 3. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan and coat with a thin film of vegetable oil. Take about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture in the palm of your hand and flatten as best you can. Place the potato mixture on the griddle, flatten with a large spatula, and fry for a few minutes until golden. Flip the pancake over and brown the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately. You can also freeze the potato pancakes and crisp them up in a 350-degree oven at a later time.
• Variation: If you want a more traditional and thicker pancake, you can add an extra egg plus 1/3 cup of matzah meal to the batter.

POTATO PANCAKES I

Steps:

• Finely grate potatoes with onion into a large bowl. Drain off any excess liquid.
• Mix in egg, salt, and black pepper. Add enough flour to make mixture thick, about 2 to 4 tablespoons all together.
• Turn oven to low, about 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
• Heat 1/4 inch oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Drop two or three 1/4 cup mounds into hot oil, and flatten to make 1/2 inch thick pancakes. Fry, turning once, until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel lined plates to drain, and keep warm in low oven until serving time. Repeat until all potato mixture is used.

EASY POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Coarsely grate potatoes and onion into a colander in the sink. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible, then transfer vegetables to a large bowl; mix in egg, flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Working in batches, drop 1/4-cup mounds of potato mixture into the skillet; press lightly with a spatula to flatten. Cook pancakes until golden, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve with sour cream and applesauce, as desired.

THE POTATO PANCAKE PRINCIPLE BY JOAN NATHAN

Steps:

• Cut potatoes, or potato and beet or zucchini, and onion into eighths; grate in food processor.
• Combine grated vegetables with eggs, salt, pepper and parsley.
• Add enough matzo meal to held mixture together.
• Shape 2 tablespoons potato mixture with hands to make each pancake.
• Fry pancakes, a few at a time, in 1/2 inch of hot oil in a heavy skillet.
• When brown, turn and fry the other side.
• Drain well and serve with sour cream or applesauce.