Crispy Traditional Potato Pancakes Food

CLASSIC POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Before you begin making the latkes, place your wire cooling rack close to the area where you will be frying the latkes. Place a layer of paper towels below the cooling rack to catch excess oil. Cut the potatoes into large chunks and shred using a hand grater or food processor shredding attachment with large holes (large shreds). I really recommend using the food processor, it saves a ton of time and will help you avoid tears when grating the onion.
• Place grated potato into a bowl and immediately cover with cold water.
• Meanwhile, grate the onion using the grater or food processor attachment with fine holes (small shreds).
• Drain the potato shreds in a colander. Rinse and dry the bowl used to soak the shreds and set aside.
• Place drained potato shreds and grated onion in the center of a clean tea towel or multiple layers of cheesecloth.
• Wrap the shreds up in the cloth, twisting the cloth to secure the bundle, and squeeze firmly to remove excess liquid from the shreds.
• Pour potato and onion into the clean dry bowl. Stir the shreds with a fork to make sure the grated onion is evenly mixed throughout the potato shreds.
• In a skillet, add oil to reach a depth of 1/8 inch. If using schmaltz, add 1/4 cup to the oil. The schmaltz will add more savory flavor to the latkes. Heat slowly over medium to about 365 degrees F. While oil is heating, use the fork to stir the matzo meal, beaten eggs, potato starch, salt and pepper into the potato and onion shreds. Add salt and pepper to taste; I add about 1 1/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. You can sprinkle on more salt to taste after cooking, if desired. Take care to make sure the egg and seasonings are fully mixed throughout the potato shreds.
• Scoop up 3 tbsp of the potato mixture and shape into a tightly compacted disk.Place the disk carefully into the hot oil. Latkes can break apart at this point, they're very delicate. If you can get them into the hot oil in one piece, chances are they will stick together - frying them is like the "glue" that holds them together. It takes a gentle touch, and it may take you some practice to get the "feel" for it.The oil should sizzle, but not pop when the latke hits it; if the oil jumps wildly or smokes, it is too hot. If it only bubbles weakly, the oil is not hot enough. Use the first latke to test the oil temperature, and don't fry a whole batch until the temperature is right.
• Continue shaping the latkes in this way, using 3 tablespoons of potato mixture for each latke. Fry in batches of 4-5 latkes at a time (no more than that - don't crowd the pan) for 2-3 minutes per side until brown and crispy.
• Remove the latkes from the pan using a metal spatula and place them on the wire cooling rack to drain.I recommend serving latkes fresh within 10 minutes of frying them, if your cooking schedule permits. If you need to make them ahead, fry them 2 hours or less before serving. You can also freeze them if you're not serving them right away.
• To Reheat Latkes: Place them on an ungreased, unlined cookie sheet. To reheat from room temperature, place in a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes (7 if using a convection oven), until heated through, just prior to serving. From frozen, it can take 15-25 minutes to reheat. Sprinkle with more salt, if desired, and serve latkes with applesauce and/or sour cream (or dairy free sour cream).

CRISPY TRADITIONAL POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• 1. Peel the potatoes and put in cold water. Using a grater or a food processor coarsely grate the potatoes and onions. Place together in a fine-mesh strainer or tea towel and squeeze out all the water over a bowl. The potato starch will settle to the bottom; reserve that after you have carefully poured off the water.
• 2. Mix the potato and onion with the potato starch. Add the scallions, egg, and salt and pepper.
• 3. Heat a griddle or non-stick pan and coat with a thin film of vegetable oil. Take about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture in the palm of your hand and flatten as best you can. Place the potato mixture on the griddle, flatten with a large spatula, and fry for a few minutes until golden. Flip the pancake over and brown the other side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately. You can also freeze the potato pancakes and crisp them up in a 350-degree oven at a later time.
• Variation: If you want a more traditional and thicker pancake, you can add an extra egg plus 1/3 cup of matzah meal to the batter.

CRISPY POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Mix potatoes, onions, eggs, flour, baking powder, and lemon juice in a large bowl; season with nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Shape potato mixture into 12 evenly sized patties.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry potato patties in batches until tender and browned on both sides, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer browned patties to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining patties.

POLISH POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then place in a 200° oven. You'll transfer the Potato Pancakes to this baking sheet to keep them warm.
• Lightly beat the eggs in a medium to large bowl then set aside.
• Peel the potatoes and onions then cut into cubes. Add potatoes and onions to a food processor (or blender) and grate. NOTE: if you're using a box grater, peel the potatoes and onions but leave whole to grate.
• After the potatoes and onions are grated drain any excess moisture then add the potato mixture to the eggs. Season with salt and pepper then stir to combine.
• Gradually stir 3-4 tablespoons of flour into the batter to bind it (you want the batter on the thin side).
• Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet (enough to cover the bottom of the skillet) over medium to medium-high heat until the oil starts to shimmer (NOT smoke). The amount of oil you use will depend upon the size of your skillet.
• Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup scoop the batter into the hot skillet forming the pancakes. Gently spread the batter using the back of the same measuring cup until the thickness of the pancake is about 1/2″.
• Fry 3 minutes or until the bottoms are golden then turn, pressing down on them lightly with a spatula and cook another 3 minutes or until golden.
• Transfer the pancakes to the baking sheet, (optional) lightly blot with paper towels then place in the oven to keep warm while you start the next batch.
• Repeat with the remaining batter until the pancakes are all cooked then serve right away.

CRISPY POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and put in cold water. Using a mandoline, grater or food processor, coarsely grate the potato. Place in a fine-mesh sieve or strainer, and squeeze out all of the potato liquid over a bowl. After the starch has settled to the bottom of the bowl, carefully pour off the clear liquid, reserving the starch. Add the grated potato to the starch in the bowl, along with the reserved crumbled bacon, egg, salt and pepper.
• Heat a nonstick pan with a small amount of oil in the bottom of the pan.
• When the oil is hot, take about one-eighth of the potato mixture in the palm of your hand and, using the other hand, flatten and squeeze to remove any excess liquid.
• Place the potato mixture in the heated pan and cook, pressing down with a spatula to flatten, until crispy and golden, about 3 minutes on each side.
• Transfer to a paper-lined baking sheet and keep warm in the oven while you cook the remaining potato cakes.

CRISPY POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Combine sour cream, horseradish, capers and parsley; refrigerate until ready to serve.
• In large bowl combine next 7 ingredients. Form 1/4-cupfuls of potato mixture into 18 balls, squeezing out excess moisture. Flatten into 3-1/2-inch-wide patties.
• In skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add patties, in batches, patting each dry before frying. Cook, turning once, until golden, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• If made ahead, just reheat in oven at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.

MASHED POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Set up your cooking station: Place a few paper towels on a large plate. You will transfer the pancakes to the paper towel lined plate as you fry them.

CRISPY POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Finely grate potatoes; drain any liquid. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Add egg, onion, flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder; mix well. , In a large skillet, heat 1/8 in. of oil over medium heat. Drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls; press lightly to flatten. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve immediately.

JEWISH CRISPY POTATO PANCAKES (LATKES)

Steps:

• Using a food processor or a handheld grater, grate the potatoes on the large-holed blade, or side of the grater. Place the grated potatoes into a large bowl, and let them sit while they release their liquid.
• In another large bowl, mix the eggs and minced onion. With your hands grab handfuls of the grated potato and squeeze over the bowl with all the potatoes in them, squeezing out as much liquid as possible back into the bowl. Transfer the squeezed potatoes into the bowl with the eggs. Repeat until all of the potatoes have been squeezed and transferred. Stick your finger into the liquid left in the other bowl. You'll feel a firm layer of potato starch at the bottom. What you need to do is carefully pour off the liquid and then scrape up all that valuable starch from the bottom of the bowl and mix it well with the egg and potato mixture (best to use your hands). This natural starch helps bind together the potatoes. If there is only a tablespoon or two of the starch, you'll also want to blend in the matzoh meal or flour. Add salt and pepper (be liberal, the pancakes will be quite bland without enough seasoning).
• In a large skillet (or use two large skillets to make the cooking go faster), heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and a teaspoon or so of butter over medium heat until the butter has melted and the fat is hot. Swirl the pan, and then add spoonfuls of the potato mixture-as big or small as you wish-and gently press them into round flat shapes in the pan. Cook until golden brown and crisp for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. You'll need to keep a close eye on the heat; too low and they won't brown properly, too high and the oil will start smoking. Adjust it as needed.
• Drain briefly on paper towels, and transfer to a serving platter. Repeat until all of the potato mixture is used up, adding more oil and bits of butter as you need it (periodically you may want to dump out the pan, give it a quick wipe, and start over if you're finding that the oil is getting kind of dark and that too many bits of charred potato and onion are floating around). The potatoes will continue to release liquid as they sit; as you get to the bottom of the bowl, just give the potato mixture a quick squeeze before putting it in the hot pan to avoid splattering. And they will also start turning darker as they site, but when you cook them up it won't be very noticeable.
• Serve warm with applesauce and sour cream.

CRISPY (NO-FRY) POTATO PANCAKE POPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Very generously brush melted butter into the bottom and sides of 24 mini muffin cups. Place the tin(s) on a baking sheet and set aside until needed.
• Add cold water to a large bowl until 1/3 full. Grate potatoes into the cold water, then fill the bowl almost to the top with more cold water. Swish the potatoes around with your hands to rinse off the starch, then pour off most of the water and refill with more cold water. Continue this process until the water runs almost clear. Pour potatoes into a colander and let drain for a few minutes.
• Transfer grated potatoes to a clean kitchen towel. Wrap potatoes in the towel and squeeze over a bowl until no more liquid comes out.
• Transfer potatoes to a clean bowl and add garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, and olive oil. Sprinkle flour over top, then add Parmigiano-Reggiano. Mix and toss gently with your hands until thoroughly combined and mixture feels damp.
• Grab potato mixture from the bottom of the bowl to get as much moisture as possible, and fill the prepared muffin cups. It's okay if the mixture comes up above the pan by 1/2 to 1 inch.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until golden brown on top, caramelized on the bottom, and crispy all over, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let sit in the pan for 5 minutes before flipping them over onto the baking sheet.

CRISPY CARROT AND POTATO PANCAKES (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Rinse grated potato in cold water, squeeze out as much liquid as possible & pat dry.
• Combine all ingredients, add salt & pepper as desired & mix well.
• Drop 2 tablespoons of mixture for each pancake into a large, lightly greased, non-stick frying pan & cook over med-heat for about 5 min on each side or until golden brown & carrot is tender. Repeat cooking process for remainder of mixture & microwave a min or 2 to reheat before serving.
• NOTE: This mixture will be wet despite how careful you are to remove excess liquid, but do not panic. The pancakes will cook & crisp nicely as shown in the picture.