Mandy Patinkins Moms Potato Latkes Food

MOM'S POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Mix potato, onion, eggs, crackers, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl.
• Pour enough vegetable oil into a skillet to fill about 1/2-inch deep; heat over medium-high heat.
• Drop spoonfuls of the potato mixture, first pressing potato mixture against the side of the bowl to remove excess liquid, into the hot oil; slightly flatten the latkes into the oil with the back of your spoon so they are evenly thick.
• Cook in hot oil until browned and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Drain latkes on a plate lined with a paper towel.

CLASSIC POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dishtowel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible.
• Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed.
• In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about 1/4 inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot (a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle), use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.

MANDY PATINKIN'S MOM'S POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Peel potatoes and onion. (If not using immediately, place in cold water.) Grate with the shredding blade of food processor.
• Put grated potatoes in a large strainer and press out liquid. Pour cold water over the potatoes and press out liquid once more. Transfer to large mixing bowl. Add onions.
• Beat eggs and egg whites until thick. Add to potatoes and onions. Add flour or matzo meal, baking powder, and seasonings. Mix well.
• Heat oil in frying pan. When ready, drop batter by large soup spoonfuls to form oval shapes. Fry over moderate to high heat until brown on one side; turn to brown other side. Remove from frying pan and drain on paper towels.
• Serve with sour cream or applesauce.

FRESH SALMON LATKES

Steps:

• Place the salmon pieces in a deep, medium-sized skillet or shallow saucepan. Pour in enough boiling water to almost cover fish. Add lemon slices. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes, or until salmon is opaque in center when flaked. Remove salmon with a slotted spatula. Remove the skin and bones and flake fish into a medium bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Add flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Whisk just until blended. Pour batter over cooked salmon. Stir gently to mix.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour batter, 1/4 cup for each latke, into the hot butter. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook latkes until nicely browned and crisp on bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn over and cook until second side is crisp and browned, about 2 minutes longer. Repeat in 1 or 2 more batches to use remaining batter, adding more butter as needed.
• Drain on paper towels. Serve warm, with lemon wedges. Garnish with Cucumber and Red Onion Salad, if desired

MOM'S NORWEGIAN POTATO LEFSA

Steps:

• Heat cream and shortening until shortening is melted. Cool and then add to riced potatoes. Sift flour, sugar and salt and add to potato mixture. Take a piece of dough as for pie crust (I use a piece a little smaller than a tennis ball), Roll the dough in a circle on a floured cloth rolling as thin as possible.
• Using a lefsa turner (a long thin stick) to lift the rolled lefsa dough, bake on top of a lefsa or pancake griddle that is pre-heated to 425 degrees F. Bake until light brown on both sides. Serve warm or cooled spread with butter and sugar and rolled up.
• Cut into one-fourths, for serving.