Arthur Schwartz’s Potato Latkes
There are two basic schools of thought on potato pancakes. Either the potatoes are grated very fine on a box grater (or chopped fine with the metal blade of the food processor) and result in pancakes that are thin and crisp-edged. Or the potatoes are grated on the coarsest side of a box grater (or with the grating blade of the processor) and turn out a thicker pancake that is crisp all over. My family goes for the former style. Either way, this is the perfect recipe to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights.
1 5- to 6-ounce onion (that’s a medium onion)
1 pound russet (baking-type) potatoes
2 eggs
1/4 to 1/3 cup matzoh meal
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly and finely ground black pepper
Oil for frying
1. Peel the onion and cut it in eighths.
2. Peel the potatoes and keep them in a bowl of cold water.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs together to mix well.
In the bowl of a food processor, fitted with the steel blade, pulse the onions, scraping them down a few times, until very finely chopped, almost a puree. Pour the onions into the beaten eggs and stir.
4. Chunk up the potatoes and, in the same processor bowl (no need to clean it), pulse the potatoes until very fine, but still with some texture. Pour the potatoes into a strainer placed over a bowl and press out excess water with a spatula. Put the potatoes into the egg-onion mixture. Add the matzoh meal, salt and pepper. Stir well and let stand while the oil is heating.
5. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat about 1/8 inch of vegetable oil. Spoon out the batter, using a half a utility spoonful for each. The batter should sizzle, but not wildly, as soon as it hits the oil. If the edges of the batter separate, the oil is too hot. If there are just slight bubbles when the batter touches the oil, the oil is not yet hot enough. The later batches are inevitably better than the first round. Consider the first tries a “chef’s share.”
6. Fry the latkes for about four minutes on the first side, slightly less time on the second. They should be well browned before turning them. Drain on absorbent paper or on a rack. Serve immediately.
For hearty soup recipes from the Brass Sisters, click here. Elsewhere on Grandparents.com, find recipes from celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich, get kitchen tips from Jacques and Claudine Pepin, and read tips and recipes from "food nanny" Liz Edmunds.
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