Potato Latkes With Optional Cranberry Applesauce Recipes

POTATO LATKES (WITH OPTIONAL CRANBERRY APPLESAUCE)

Steps:

• Line a colander with cheesecloth and place over a large bowl. In another large mixing bowl, combine half of the diced onions (1 1/4 c), egg, flour, salt and baking powder. Mix with a rubber spatula to combine.
• Peel potatoes and cut into 1" cubes, working quickly so the potatoes do not brown. Using the grater attachment on your food processor, grate the potato with the remaining 1 1/4 c of diced onions. Pour the potato/onion mixture into the cheesecloth lined colander over a bowl, wrap cloth around mixture and wring out as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid, but save the potato starch that is clinging to the bottom of the bowl and to the cheesecloth.
• Add potato/onion mixture, along with the potato starch to the egg/flour/onion in other bowl.Stir the batter until it is combined and sticky.
• Preheat oven to 425*F. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and set it beside your stove top.
• Heat 1/2 c vegetable oil in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat. Oil should be hot, but not smoking (about 375*F, but I don't use a thermometer). For each Latke, use approx 1/4 c of batter and flatten in your hand (or on a slotted spoon) into approx 2" disk, squeezing out any additional liquid. Using a slotted spoon, gently place Latkes into the hot oil. (Use one sacrificial Latke to make sure the oil temp is correct. If it's too low, they will be greasy and soggy, too high they will burn). Only cook about 4 Latkes at a time so you do not drop the oil temperature. Cook Latkes approx 4 minutes on each side. Place fried Latkes onto the wire rack.
• Between batches, using a slotted spoon, remove any bits that may be forming in the bottom of the pan and discard. Add more oil if needed between batches, but be sure to let it rise to the correct temperature before starting another batch.
• When completely done frying all the Latkes, place the baking sheet into the oven for approx 8 minutes to finish baking them until crisp and golden brown.
• Garnish with Recipe #509843 and/or sour cream.
• Enjoy!

POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Grate potatoes in long strips, using smooth strokes to run potatoes across grater into a large bowl of ice water. Using a strainer or slotted spoon, transfer potatoes, reserving liquid, to another large bowl lined with a clean kitchen towel; gently squeeze dry.
• Set reserved liquid aside for 10 minutes to allow starch to sink to the bottom; carefully pour liquid from the bowl, reserving milky residue (potato starch) and discard. Transfer potatoes back to bowl with potato starch.
• Add onions to bowl; stir in eggs, beer, flour, salt, and pepper.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside. In a heavy nonstick skillet, heat 1/4-inch of oil. Spoon 1/2 cup of potato mixture per pancake into skillet. Make a few at a time, being careful they don't run into each other.
• Fry on both sides until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to prepared baking sheet to drain. Keep warm in oven while preparing the others. Serve hot with applesauce, or sour cream and caviar, if desired.

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.