Kartoffel Kugel Ashkenazic Potato Pudding Recipes

KARTOFFEL KUGEL (ASHKENAZIC POTATO PUDDING)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Heat an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish in the oven.
• Coat the bottom and sides of the baking dish with 1/4 cup of the schmaltz or oil and return to the oven until very hot, about 15 minutes.
• Place the potatoes in a large bowl of lightly salted cold water. (This keeps them from discoloring.) Grate the potates into the onions, stirring to mix.
• Stir in the eggs, remaining 1/4 cup schmaltz or oil, salt, pepper, and, if desired, gribenes or carrot. Add enough matza meal or flour to bind the batter.
• Pour into the heated dish and bake until golden brown, about 1 hour. Although this is best when warm, the leftovers can be served at room temperature.

CRISPY POTATO KUGEL

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Using a box grater or the shredding attachment on the food processor, grate the potatoes and onion into a colander fitted inside a large bowl (or in the sink).
• Using your hands and working with a bit at a time, squeeze as much water from the potatoes and onions as humanly possible and transfer the dry potatoes to a large bowl (you can use that same bowl, just make sure it's drained and dry). For added insurance, you can also do this with cheesecloth or a porous kitchen towel, if you like.
• Add eggs and 6 tablespoons chicken fat to the potatoes, and season with salt and plenty of pepper, mixing well. Heat another 2 tablespoons fat in a 9- or 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high. (This recipe will work in a 9- or 10-inch skillet, but the kugel will be slightly taller in a 9-inch.) Delicately place the potato mixture into the skillet, taking care not to pack it in tightly. (You want to keep the kugel light and airy.)
• Cook the potatoes, rotating the skillet occasionally to promote even browning, until it's golden brown on the edges and up the sides, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Drizzle the top of the potatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons fat and place in the oven. Bake until the top of the kugel is deeply golden brown, the edges are wispy and crispy, and the potatoes are completely and totally tender and cooked through, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Remove from oven and top with more pepper, chives and flaky sea salt. Slice and serve warm.