Potato Latkes With Smoked Salmon Creme Fraiche And American Farmed Caviar Recipes

POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Line a large plate with paper towels and set it aside. Place a large skillet on a burner and add enough oil to reach a depth of about half an inch. Heat over medium to medium-high heat until the oil is shimmering.
• Add the potatoes, eggs, flour, baking powder, and salt to a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure everything is distributed evenly.
• Test the heat of the oil by putting a small amount of the mixture in the oil. If it sizzles and fries immediately, the oil is hot enough.
• Use a large spoon to scoop up some of the mixture (about 1/3 cup). Press it into the spoon so everything will stick together. Gently slip it into the oil. Use the back of the spoon to press down lightly on top of the latke to flatten it out a little. Continue adding latkes to the skillet until you have 6 cooking.
• Cook for about 7 to 10 minutes on one side. When golden brown, flip each latke over and cook for another 7 to 10 minutes until golden brown on that side as well. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil.
• When the first batch is done, cook the rest of the latkes. There should be approximately 6 more. When done, remove the latkes to the plate. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.

POTATO LATKES WITH SMOKED SALMON AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• Using coarse side of box grater or food processor fitted with coarse grater blade, shred potatoes. Wrap potatoes in kitchen towel and squeeze out excess liquid. Transfer to large bowl. Repeat process with onion; add to bowl with potatoes.
• Add eggs, flour, salt and pepper to potatoes.
• Heat oil to 350 degrees.
• Working in batches, drop potato mixture by 1/4 cupfuls into skillet; flatten to 3-inch rounds. Fry latkes until golden brown on bottom, adding more oil by tablespoonfuls as needed, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer latkes to rimmed baking sheet; keep warm in oven.
• Mix crème fraîche and chopped fresh tarragon in small bowl to blend. Divide smoked salmon among latkes. Top each latke with dollop of tarragon crème fraîche.
• Or insted of creme fraiche and tarragon you can try: creme fraiche, 1 tbsp dill, finely chopped, 2 tbsp horseradish, 1 tsp lemon zest.

POTATO GALETTES WITH SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes, then cut them lengthwise in long matchsticks, using the finest julienne blade of a mandoline. Spread the potatoes out neatly in one layer on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, roll the towel up, and squeeze lightly to dry the potatoes without breaking them up. Put the potatoes into a bowl and toss them with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a small (8-inch) omelet pan (a saute pan with sloped sides) over medium heat. Add half of the potatoes to the pan and press lightly with a large metal spatula to make the shreds lie flat. Cook them undisturbed for 5 minutes. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the butter around the edge of the pan and cook the potatoes for another 3 to 5 minutes, until nicely browned on the bottom. Loosen the galette gently around the edge with the metal spatula and flip it over. (Be careful! The oil and butter underneath are very hot!) Add another tablespoon of butter around the edge and cook the galette for 4 to 5 minutes longer, until the second side is nicely browned. With the metal spatula, transfer the galette to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Repeat with the rest of the potatoes and butter to make a second galette.
• Place the two galettes on a cutting board. Spread each galette with 2 tablespoons of the creme fraiche and a layer of smoked salmon, covering the galette completely. Sprinkle with minced chives and sprinkle lightly with salt. Use a large chef's knife to cut each galette into 6 wedges and serve hot.

POTATO LATKE WITH SMOKED SALMON (CRIQUE STEPHANIOISE)

Steps:

• Put the grated potato in a medium bowl. With a wooden spoon, stir in the egg, chives, parsley and olives. Season with salt and pepper, and stir well to combine.
• To make large criques, warm 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium nonstick pan over high heat. With your fingers, scoop out one half of the potato mixture, squeeze out the excess liquid between your hands and drop in the center of the pan. Using a fork or spatula, flatten the mixture firmly. Cook the crique over low to medium heat for about 6 to 8 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until the exterior is crisp and golden brown and the interior is tender. Repeat using the remaining olive oil and potato mixture.
• To make small criques, lightly brush the insides of three 3 1/2-inch-diameter ring molds with olive oil. Heat the pan with additional oil, and place the molds into the pan. Squeeze the excess liquid out of the potato mixture between your hands, and place 1 1/2 tablespoons inside each ring. Proceed as above, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side. Using tongs, remove the molds from the criques and gently press with a spatula. Flip and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or until the exterior is crisp and golden brown and the interior is tender. Set the criques aside. Repeat until remaining olive oil and potato mixture are used up.
• To serve, sprinkle the criques with salt and top with a dollop of sour cream. Place a small mound of the smoked salmon on top, and drizzle some of the lemon juice over the salmon. Sprinkle with the lemon zest, chives and black olives, and season with pepper. Garnish with parsley, and drizzle some olive oil around the plate. Serve immediately.