Marc Silverstein Latkes 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.

CLASSIC LATKES

Steps:

• 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 and matzo meal or flour 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 applesauce and/or sour cream.

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!

LATKES

Steps:

• To the grated potatoes, add 1 grated onion, 2 lightly beaten eggs and 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs (or matzo meal); substitute neutral oil for butter. (Be liberal with the oil.)
• Spoon the mixture into the oil to form pancakes; fry until brown and crisp on both sides.
• Serve with sour cream and applesauce.

CLASSIC 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 and onion. 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-onion 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.

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.