Our Favorite Latkes 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.

FAMILY LATKES

Steps:

• Place potatoes in salted water and let sit for about 15 minutes.
• Grate potatoes on a medium or fine setting. Press out liquid; this should produce about 4 cups grated potato.
• Place grated potato in a bowl and stir in flour, onion, salt, and pepper. Fold in eggs.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Heat enough oil in a deep pan to reach 1/4 inch up the sides. Heat over medium-high heat until a drop of batter sizzles. Lower heat to medium.
• Working in batches, drop batter into the hot oil in desired size and flatten into pancakes; brown on both sides, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to the prepared pans and keep warm in the preheated oven while you fry remaining batter.

OUR FAVORITE PIE CRUST

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter and pulse until coarse, pea-size crumbs appear, about 10 seconds. With the machine running, add vinegar and ¼ cup ice-cold water and process until the dough just holds together, about 30 seconds. Squeeze a small amount of dough between your fingers and if it is very crumbly, add more ice water, 1 Tbsp. at a time (2 Tbsp. maximum). Do not over process.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and push together into a rough ball. Knead a few times to combine, then divide into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disk with smooth edges (no cracks), cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight. Do ahead: Dough can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw before using. Editor's note: This recipe was originally published in November 2014 as Our Favorite Pie Dough. Head this way for all of our best pie recipes →