Pan Fried Giant Latke With Caramelized Apples And Sour Cream Recipes

GIANT LATKE

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and grate them on the large holes of a box grater into a colander set over a large bowl. Grate the onion into the colander and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Firmly squeeze the potatoes and onion to extract as much liquid as possible, letting it drain into the bowl. Transfer the potato mixture to a separate large bowl. Add the egg and matzo meal or flour and stir well.
• Heat a medium cast-iron or other heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the oil or chicken fat and heat until shimmering. Add the potato mixture and press down with a spoon or spatula to make an even layer. Cook until deep golden brown and crisp on the bottom, 8 to 10 minutes. (After a few minutes, check to make sure the latke is browning evenly and rotate the latke in the skillet as needed. If it's sticking, loosen it with a small spatula.)
• Carefully slide the latke onto a plate using a wide spatula. Flip the latke on the plate, then quickly slide it back into the skillet, cooked-side up. Continue cooking until well browned on the second side and cooked through, 8 to 10 more minutes. (Lower the heat as needed if the latke is browning too quickly.) Remove the latke to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
• Wipe out the skillet and return the latke to the skillet or transfer to a cutting board. Slice into wedges and serve with assorted toppings.

SCHMALTZ LATKES

Steps:

• Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate potato and shallot. Transfer mixture to a clean dish towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• Working quickly, transfer mixture to a large bowl. Toss in flour, egg, salt, baking powder and pepper until combined.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high, then pour in about 1/4 inch of schmaltz. Once schmaltz is hot, drop heaping 1/4 cup measures of batter into pan. Use a spatula to flatten the drops into discs. When edges of latkes are crispy, in 5 to 7 minutes, flip them. Cook until second side is golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes more. If latkes get too brown before they are cooked through, lower the heat. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve latkes topped with sour cream and applesauce, if you like. Garnish with gribenes if you have them.