Cheesy Latke Kugel Recipes

CHEESY LATKE KUGEL

Steps:

• NOTE: food.com did not recognize "frozen latkes" as an ingredient, so I used "frozen hash brown potatoes" instead. These are an acceptable substitute, but frozen latkes are preferred.
• Heat frozen latkes in oven per package directions to the point where they are reheated, but not yet fully crispy, usually about 1/2 to 2/3 of the package direction cooking time, or about 10 minutes in a 425 degree Fahrenheit oven. Set aside to cool. When cooled to room temperature, shred the latkes by hand.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Oil or spray a 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet, add chopped onion, and sauté over medium-low heat for about 7 minutes until soft but not brown. Add garlic and cook another minute.
• In a separate bowl, combine cooked onion, garlic, chives, sour cream, cottage cheese, Cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, eggs, pepper, mustard powder, and 1 teaspoon of the salt.
• Reserve approximately 3/4 cup of the shredded latkes for crust. Fold the rest of the shredded latkes into the onion-cheese mixture and combine by hand.
• Pour mixture into baking dish and spread evenly.
• Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and add the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, and Parmesan cheese. Add the remaining shredded latkes and combine by hand.
• Spread the latke-Parmesan mixture evenly over the top of the mixture in the baking dish.
• Bake about 1 hour or until set with a golden brown crust.

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.

POTATO KUGEL

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350, with a heavy 9-by-9-inch baking pan or 10-inch cast-iron skillet inside.
• Peel the potatoes, and place them in a bowl of water. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs with the salt and pepper until well combined.
• Using a food processor fitted with the grating plate, grate the onion. Drain the potatoes, then grate them. Quickly add the potatoes and onions to the eggs, and add the oil, flour and baking powder. Mix well. (You can also grate by hand; if you do so, grate the potatoes directly into the eggs and oil, and stir them frequently to coat. This helps slow their browning while you keep grating.)
• Remove the pan from the oven, and slick it with oil. Carefully but quickly add the potato mixture, smoothing it out so that it is as even as possible. Bake for 2 hours, or until the kugel is creamy in the center and the whole top is a rich, crunchy brown.

PURE POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Adjust the rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 degrees. Bake the potatoes directly on the rack for 30 minutes, then flip and bake for another 15 minutes until they are hot throughout but still raw in the middle. Remove and let cool for about 30 minutes.
• Slice the potatoes in half widthwise. Holding the curved peel side with one hand, grate the flat, flesh side of each piece using the large holes of a box grater. The grating process should open them up like a jacket, leaving you with potato skins perfect for frying later, if you'd like. (You could also use a food processor with a grating blade instead; just peel your potatoes beforehand.) Sprinkle the grated potatoes with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• Take about 1/2 cup grated potato in your hands and gently squeeze between your palms to form a patty. Press the patty until about 1/2-inch thick and carefully set the latke on a plate. Repeat with the remaining grated potatoes to make about 8 latkes. Cover and refrigerate a few hours or overnight.
• Just before serving, heat a large, heavy skillet with about 1/4 inch of canola oil over medium-high. When it is hot, a shred of potato dropped into the oil should sizzle. Working in two batches, gently fry four latkes until crisp and deep golden, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels or a paper bag to drain, and repeat with remaining latkes.
• Serve hot, topped with a slice of smoked salmon, a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream and a few sprinkles of chives, if you like.

CHEESY POTATO KUGEL

Steps:

• In a large frying pan, saute onion in butter until tender.
• Do not brown.
• Remove from heat and add potatoes.
• Toss cheese with flour, salt and pepper.
• Add cheese mix to potatoes.
• In a small bowl, combine eggs and cream.
• Stir into potato mixture.
• Spoon into a greased 9 inch pan.
• Bake, uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool for a minute after removing from oven and serve.