Julia Child Potato Pancakes Food

POTATO PANCAKES

Steps:

• Set a large strainer or colander over a bowl and line it with a clean kitchen towel. Using a box grater, grate the potatoes and onion into the strainer. Using the towel, squeeze as much liquid from the potatoes and onion as possible. Transfer the mixture to another bowl and stir in the flour, eggs, chives, baking powder, salt and pepper.
• Coat the bottom of an 8-inch nonstick skillet with oil and add a couple of tablespoons of butter. Heat over medium heat until the butter foam subsides. Spoon about 1 3/4 cups of the potato mixture into the pan and press to fill the circumference. Fry over medium heat, flipping once, until the pancake is golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain the pancake on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining batter.

JULIA'S AMERICAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and slice each one lengthwise in half, or in quarters if very large; then cut crosswise into half-round or quarter-round slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
• Put the slices in a saucepan with water just to cover and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt per quart of water. Heat to a simmer, and cook the potatoes for 5 to 6 minutes, or until just cooked through. It is essential that they be just cooked through. Bite into a slice or two to be very sure. Immediately remove from the heat and drain the potatoes into a colander, but save a cup of the cooking liquid for dressing the potatoes. Transfer bowl. Stir the cider vinegar with 1/3 cup of the potato water or chicken stock and drizzle this over the potato pieces, turning them gently to distribute it evenly. Let sit 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
• Add the prepared onion, celery, bacon, pickle, hard-boiled eggs, and chives, and season carefully, to taste. Top with 2/3 cup of mayonnaise (or a mix of mayonnaise and a bit of sour cream) and, with a large rubber spatula, gently fold everything together until well blended. Taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or mayonnaise as needed.
• Cover the salad and set aside in the refrigerator for at least an hour or so before serving. If it is refrigerated longer, let it come back to room temperature before serving. Taste and adjust the seasoning again.
• To serve, line a bowl or a platter with red-leaf lettuce or other greens, and mound the salad on top. Decorate at the last moment, if you wish, with any or all of the optional garnishes.