What is your best recipe for latkes/potato pancakes?

[JustMe]

Hello,

Okay, what is your best recipes for latkes/potato pancakes? I will be trying to make some for the first time this Chanukah. My mom died 4 years ago and, of course, made the best latkes. I havent ever tried to make my own, but dd will be 3 in Feb and is starting to understand traditions, so it is time to try. Pls include details (like what kind of pan you use, how you cut potatoes, etc!). I will most likely need to use a food processor b/c dd is still a very clingy/high-maintenance little girl.

Thanks!
Robyn
mom to Ariana, age 2.10, from Guatemala

[brittone2]

I am not Jewish but I love latkes ;) I've only made them a handful of times so definitely not an expert. My favorite recipe (that I've made) is in Mollie Katzen's Stillife with Menu cookbook. I like latkes that are partially boiled first and then fried. I don't have the recipe handy but I can try and post it tomorrow if I get a chance. The boiling takes away some of the raw potato taste. I'm not sure if that is the truly traditional way to make them or if most people just fry the raw potato, but it is the way I like them best :)

Yum. You can try out your recipes on me anytime...I'll gladly sample ;)

ETA:
scroll about halfway down and there is a recipe for parboiling the potatoes first:
http://www.molliekatzen.com/mkboard2000.php
http://washingtontimes.com/food/20051129-094259-6942r.htmhttp://
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/recipex/msg121857353416.html
www.chowhound.com/boards/cooking/messages/52317.html

I'll be watching this thread and hoping to learn more :)

[s7714]

My mom makes really good ones, but she's no help because she doesn't really follow a recipe. I've watched her time and again and then tried to make them myself, but they just never turn out the same. (We're not Jewish, but she made them quite often.) I'll be curious to try out the recipes people post!

Jennifer
Mommy to
Annalia 3/03
Sophia 6/05

When raising kids the days are oh so long, but the years are short.--John Leguizamo

[JustMe]

Thanks for the recipes, Beth.

Jennifer, your mother sure cooks as if she were Jewish!

Anyone else, especially those with tried and true recipes?

Thanks,
Robyn

[juliasmom05]

Here is my recipe. It uses raw potatoes. I don't know which way is the traditional way since I grew up on the boxed kind. They are really good with sweet potato as well.

Latke

2 large russet potatoes, peeled
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 to 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying


Finely grate the potatoes on a hand grater. Place in batches into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible, place in a large bowl. Add the onion, beaten egg, baking powder, flour, , and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet until almost smoking. Drop potato mixture into the skillet 1 heaping tablespoon at a time and smooth the tops with the back of a spoon to 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Fry over moderate heat, turning them once with a spatula for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp.
Remove to a platter lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining mixture, adding more oil if necessary.

I don't always use a cast iron skillet, usually just a large enough skillet to contain the oil. I have also used a cuisinart to grate the potatoes and it works fine.

ETA: Just saw this one in the latest edition of Cooking light and they looked interesting.

http://food.cookinglight.com/cooking/display/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=520650

Just saw DD's picture as I posted this. Can you tell I grew up in a mixed religion household :-)

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[Tondi G]

I dunno about anyone else but my hubby LOVES the ones from the mix/box! We used to go to a friends house and her mom made them from scratch and he always said it tasted like Hashbrowns...LOL! SO the lovely box it is for us... works for me! Oh and MIL always makes homemade applesauce YUM!

Good Luck

~Tondi

[JFC]

I do too! The boxed ones are my favorite - kind of lame, I know, but... - they are! I'm the same way with my matzo balls - box all the way. ;-)

[s7714]

I'd be willing to try a boxed mix...any recommendations as to a good brand to try?

Jennifer
Mommy to
Annalia 3/03
Sophia 6/05

When raising kids the days are oh so long, but the years are short.--John Leguizamo

[s7714]

Yum, sweet potato pancakes whould be good! And I happen to have some sweet potatoes in my pantry right now. Maybe I'll try your recipe tonight!

Jennifer
Mommy to
Annalia 3/03
Sophia 6/05

When raising kids the days are oh so long, but the years are short.--John Leguizamo

[Tondi G]

Manischewitz potato pancake mix!

http://www.manischewitz.com/docs/man_105.shtml

I haven't even seen the homestyle Potato Latke mix they are showing there.... I wonder if it's any good????

~Tondi

[JustMe]

Thanks everyone! I witll be trying out one recipe or another next week, so wish me luck!

Robyn

[juliasmom05]

Robyn,

Good Luck. I am sure they will turn out great. I still have fond memories of making them with my Grandmother and Mother. IMO, the best part of Hannukah dinner.

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[TraciG]

NICE to read a Hanukah thread, thenks I'm going to buy the box latkes & MAYBE attempt to make one of the recipes here !

[JustMe]

Marci.

As far as I am concerned they are the ONLY part of a Chanukah dinner...and I am only half kidding....

What other things do people serve...we really only had latkes with sour cream and applesauce!

Robyn

[juliasmom05]

Robyn,

Brisket...

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[Saccade]

Check out this brisket article from the SF Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2005/12/21/FDG6NG8MBK1.DTL&type=food

DS #1, 7/13/05
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/eleeleabk20050713_-8_My+child+is.png[/img][/url]

Join us in the BBB Knit and Crochet Club:
http://s14.invisionfree.com/BBB_Knitters

[juliasmom05]

Great article :-). When I get bored of my brisket recipe, I will have to try some of the ones in the article.

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[JustMe]

Oh, who knew???

I'm a vegetarian and am just planning on doing steamed string beans unless anyone has any other ideas.

Robyn

[juliasmom05]

My parents were vegetarians for years. My mom made the brisket for us, and for them the latkes and vegetables. My uncle was Lebannese, so we would also have jelly doughnuts.
I think the latkes take center stage anyway, so this way you get to eat more of them. You can never have too many :-).

Happy Hannukah!

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05