Celery Root Mushroom Latkes Food

CELERY ROOT AND POTATO PANCAKES / LATKES - GLUTEN-FREE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees or "warm" setting. Peel potatoes and submerge in cold water. Peel celery root with a paring knife. Pulse the onion and garlic in food processor. Mixture should be coarse, not completely pureed. Pour onion-garlic mixture into a large bowl.
• Grate the celery root using the larger grate of a box grater, or use the grater attachment of a food processor. Add to onion-garlic mixture and stir.
• Grate potatoes. Quickly squeeze a handful of grated potatoes at a time over a second bowl (or the kitchen sink) to remove all liquid. Add the dry potatoes to the onions and celery root, mixing as you go. This step should be done as quickly as possible to prevent oxidation of the potatoes.
• Heat 1/4 inch of olive oil in a large, heavy skillet (cast iron works best) over medium-high heat, until just below the smoking point.
• Add remaining ingredients to the batter, and stir until fully combined. Place a small handful of batter (approximately 1/4 cup) in the hot oil at a time. Pat each handful into a 1/2" thick pancake shape before placing in oil - This will help each latke stay together. Fry until completely golden-brown on the bottom and crispy around the outside corners. Flip and brown on the second side.
• Transfer latkes to a plate lined with paper towels or several layers of brown paper (I use grocery bags). Allow paper to absorb excess oil, then transfer latkes to a cooking rack placed over baking sheet in the preheated oven, where they will stay warm until ready to serve. Serve hot, with sour cream and applesauce.
• Extra latkes can be frozen on a baking sheet in the freezer, with parchment paper between the layers. When frozen, transfer to ziploc bags. Reheat in oven at 400 degrees F.

CELERY-ROOT AND POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 250°F.
• Coarsely grate celery root into a bowl using the 1/3-inch-wide holes of a box grater.
• Peel potatoes and coarsely grate into a large bowl. Add lemon juice and toss. Coarsely grate onions into same bowl.
• Transfer to towel, then gather up corners to form a sack and twist tightly to wring out as much liquid as possible.
• Return potatoes and onions to cleaned bowl and stir in celery root, flour, eggs, salt, pepper, and celery seeds until combined well.
• Heat 1/3 inch oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Fill a 1/4-cup measure (not tightly packed) with latke mixture and carefully spoon it into skillet, then flatten to 3 inches in diameter with a slotted spatula. Form 3 more latkes in skillet, then fry until undersides are deep golden, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes. Turn over using 2 spatulas and fry until deep golden all over, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes more. (If latkes brown too quickly, lower heat to moderate.) Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly. Keep warm in 1 layer on a metal rack set in a shallow baking pan in oven. Make more latkes in same manner. Use a second rack and baking pan to keep last batches warm.

CELERY ROOT MASH

Steps:

• Peel and roughly chop 3 pounds celery root. Place in a pot and cover with equal parts milk and water (about 2 1/2 cups each); add a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until soft, 20 to 25 minutes; drain. Puree with 1/3 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons butter. Season with salt, then add 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard and pulse to combine.
• TIP: Use a food processor or immersion blender to puree these veggies-they're too fibrous for a potato masher.

CELERY ROOT-PARSNIP LATKES

Steps:

• Place grated celery root, parsnips and onion in a large bowl. Sprinkle in matzo meal and toss mixture together with your hands. Add parsley, eggs, salt and pepper and combine again using your hands until ingredients are incorporated.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high. Take a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and flatten between your palms. Fry latkes, without moving them, for 4 to 5 minutes, checking that they don't over-brown. (You should be able to fry them in batches of 11 to 12, depending on pan size.) Flip latkes, turn heat down to medium-low and fry another 4 minutes, or until well browned and tender. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with additional salt. Serve warm.

CELERY ROOT, WITH MUSHROOMS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Peel and cut the celery into matchstick-size pieces and blanch them in boiling water. Remove and drain.
• Wash the mushrooms, dry them thoroughly and slice them thinly. Combine in a salad bowl with the celery root and Parmesan cheese. In a separate bowl, mix the lemon, olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper. Pour the mixture over the vegetables and toss thoroughly.