Beet Latkes Recipes

BEET LATKES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together potato starch, baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; set aside. Peel potatoes; place in a bowl of cold water. On the large holes of a box grater, grate potatoes, onion, and beets. Transfer to a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth and set over a large bowl.
• Gather mixture in cheesecloth and squeeze moisture out into bowl. Let stand until a white paste settles to bottom of bowl, about 2 minutes. Remove sieve; pour liquid out of bowl and discard, leaving behind white paste.
• Add potato mixture to bowl and sprinkle with baking-powder mixture; toss to coat. Add eggs; stir to combine.
• Heat 1/4 inch oil in a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high until hot but not smoking. (Test with a shred of potato; if it sizzles immediately, it's ready). Reduce heat to medium. Working in batches to avoid crowding, scoop a scant 1/4 cup of potato mixture into oil; flatten with a spatula to 1/4 inch thick. Fry, turning once, until golden brown and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Using a slotted spatula, transfer to paper towels set over a baking sheet. Sprinkle with flaky salt. Repeat, stirring potato mixture between batches, and adjusting heat as needed while frying. Serve immediately, topped with creme fraiche, trout, chives, and pepper.

CUMIN-SCENTED BEET LATKES

Steps:

• Place beets in large bowl; press with paper towels to absorb any moisture. In another large bowl, whisk flour and next 5 ingredients. Mix in beets, then eggs.
• Pour enough oil into large skillet to cover bottom; heat over medium heat. Working in batches, drop beet mixture by 1/4 cupfuls into skillet; spread to 3 1/2-inch rounds. Fry until golden, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer latkes to baking sheet. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 350°F oven until crisp, about 10 minutes.)
• Serve latkes with relish and salsa.

LATKES THREE WAYS: BEET, SWEET POTATO AND SUNCHOKE

Steps:

• For the latkes: Grate the beet, sweet potato or sunchokes into a medium bowl. Grate the potato and onion into the same bowl. Transfer the mixture to a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel and squeeze out all of the liquid. Really squeeze hard! The more moisture you can get out now, the crispier the latkes will be. In a medium bowl, mix together the squeezed-out mixture with the eggs, flour, kosher salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.
• In a medium nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the grapeseed oil over medium-high heat. Divide the latke mixture into equal portions. Place 3 latkes in the skillet at a time. Keep them spaced out and don't overcrowd. I like to press down a little with the spatula to flatten the latke a bit after flipping to get it a little thinner, so that it's extra crispy. Fry until golden and crispy around the edges, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip the latkes and fry the second side until crisp, pressing down with a spatula as it cooks, another 2 to 3 minutes. When the latkes are done and dark golden all over, place on a paper towel lined plate and season with sea salt. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil and latke mixture. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with either Chive Sour Cream, Roasted Lemons, applesauce, or all three, and mint.
• In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, chives, mint, and a generous pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the lemon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet, drizzle with the olive oil, and season with the salt. Roast until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

BEET-AND-POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Peel and rinse the potatoes, then grate on the large holes of a box grater into a colander set over a large bowl. Grate the onion into the colander; season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Squeeze the potato mixture with your hands to remove as much liquid as possible, transferring the mixture to a paper towel-lined plate as you go. Wipe out the bowl. Blot the potato mixture dry with paper towels and return to the dry bowl.
• Peel the beet and grate on the large holes of the box grater; add to the bowl with the potato mixture. Add the egg, matzo meal and parsley and stir to combine. Scoop tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture and tightly pack into 1-inch pancakes (about 24); transfer to a large plate.
• Heat 1/4 inch schmaltz or vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add the pancakes and fry until browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet; sprinkle with salt and keep warm in the oven (or serve at room temperature). Top as desired.

BEET-DILL LATKES

Steps:

• Whisk the yogurt with the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the lemon zest in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Grate the potatoes and onion on the large holes of a box grater into a colander set over a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper, toss well and let stand 5 minutes. Squeeze handfuls of the mixture firmly with your hands to remove as much liquid as possible. Blot dry with paper towels, then transfer to a large bowl.
• Add the beaten egg, grated beet, matzo meal or flour, dill and coriander to the potato mixture and toss well to combine. Scoop 1/4 cupfuls of the mixture and tightly pack into thin 3- to 4-inch pancakes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 250˚. Heat 1/4 inch vegetable oil or chicken fat in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Working in three batches, fry the latkes until deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side, reducing the heat as needed if the latkes are browning too quickly. Remove to a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Keep warm in the oven while you make the remaining latkes.
• Serve with the yogurt sauce.

CARROT-AND-BEET LATKES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine onion, lemon juice, and eggs. Add flour, salt, and pepper, and stir until incorporated. Add carrots, beets, and potato, and toss until combined and evenly coated.
• Fill a large skillet with about 1/2 inch oil. Place over medium heat until oil is almost smoking. (To test, drop a small bit of batter into the skillet; it should sizzle upon contact.)
• Working in batches so as not to crowd skillet, carefully spoon about 2 tablespoons batter into oil for each latke. Lightly tamp down to flatten. Cook, turning once, until golden on each side, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spatula, transfer to a paper-towel-lined wire rack to drain. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve immediately with sour cream and applesauce.