Alex Witchels Potato Pancakes Food

ALEX WITCHEL'S POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Place half the potatoes in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely chopped. Transfer potatoes to a strainer set over a medium bowl; let drain. Repeat process with remaining potatoes. Measure out 3 cups chopped potatoes and discard any remaining potatoes.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add potatoes, onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper; mix well. Stir in 2 tablespoons matzo meal, and let stand about 30 seconds to absorb moisture in batter. If necessary, add more matzo to make a thick, wet batter.
• Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add oil. When oil is hot, working in batches, add 2 tablespoons batter, flattening gently to make thick pancakes. Cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; season with salt. Repeat process until all the batter has been used. Serve immediately with applesauce and sour cream.

CHEF JOHN'S CLASSIC POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Place potatoes and onion into a large bowl and pour enough cold water in the bowl to cover by several inches. Let rest until potatoes and onion are completely soaked, 20 to 30 minutes. Pour potato mixture into a colander, rinse, drain, and squeeze repeatedly to remove all moisture.
• Whisk eggs, flour, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until smooth.
• Mix potato mixture and egg mixture together in a large bowl with a spatula.
• Heat 1/4-inch oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. When oil shimmers, drop large spoonfuls of potato batter into hot oil and flatten with a spatula to about 1/2-inch thick. Cook until the edges of pancakes are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, flip pancakes, and cook until golden brown and crispy on the other side, about 5 minutes more. Repeat cooking process with remaining batter.

LOADED POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Cook the bacon, stirring, in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 to 0 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Reserve the pan; don't clean it out.
• In a large bowl, mix the hash browns, seasoning salt and black pepper. Return the skillet to medium heat. Carefully add four 1/2 cup scoops to the skillet. Press the potato mounds down with a spatula and let cook until golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Sprinkle with sea salt and the shredded Cheddar.
• Transfer the potato pancakes to a platter or small cutting board. Add a dollop of the sour cream to the center of each. Top with the green onions and reserved bacon.

POTATO ZUCCHINI PANCAKES WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Set up your grill for even medium-high heat by building coals evenly on the bottom of the grill.
• Place the shredded zucchinis and potatoes into a tea towel and wring as much moisture out as you can. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, flour, scallions, dill and lemon zest and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the zucchinis and potatoes and mix to combine. Using a 1/3 cup measure, scoop the mixture into balls on a cookie tray.
• Place a large cast-iron pan on the grill and add a good splash of oil (it should be 1- to 1 1/2-inches deep in the pan). Set a cooling rack in a sheet tray and set aside.
• Bring the oil to 350 degrees F, then add 3 balls to the pan and flatten into pancakes. Brown and crisp on one side, 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and brown and crisp on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to the cooling rack set and season with salt. Repeat with the remaining potato pancakes, adding more olive oil to the pan as needed.
• For the yogurt sauce: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, chives, olive oil, lemon zest and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the potato zucchini pancakes with a dollop of yogurt sauce.

ALOO ANDAY (POTATOES AND SCRAMBLED EGGS)

Steps:

• Peel and quarter the potatoes, then cut into ¼-inch slices. Submerge the potatoes in a bowl of water and set aside.
• Heat the ghee in a heavy nonstick medium pot over medium-high. Add the garlic paste and ginger paste. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the smell of raw garlic and ginger dissipates, less than 1 minute. Add the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to turn golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds, chile powder and green chiles. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the ghee is thoroughly infused with the spices, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the salt. Continue cooking on medium until most of the tomato liquid has evaporated and the ghee has separated, about 7 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes and add them to the pot. Add ½ cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until the potatoes are almost tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir as needed to prevent the mixture from browning. Uncover and cook on medium-high until the potatoes are tender all the way through and most of the water has evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Beat the eggs just until the egg whites are incorporated into the yolks. Stir them into the pot. Continue stirring until the eggs are scrambled and form delicate curds, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat. Garnish with slivered ginger, chopped cilantro and garam masala. Serve with chapati, pita, naan or rice.