Recipe: Lacy Golden Latkes

Lacy Golden Latkes
Source: Canadian Living Test Kitchen
Makes about 22 latkes, or 4 to 6 servings

The plates are ready, the skillet hot and the latkes -- crisp potato
pancakes -- are sizzling up lacy and golden brown, ready to be devoured with dollops of applesauce and sour cream. Latkes, the Yiddish word for pancakes, are the most anticipated dish at the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. But latkes are so deliciously addictive that it would be a shame not to make them year round.

5 baking potatoes* (2-1/2 lb/1.25 kg)
2 small onions, quartered
3 eggs
3 tbsp all-purpose flour** 50 ml
3/4 tsp salt 4 ml
1/4 tsp pepper 1 ml
vegetable oil for cooking
sour cream and/or applesauce

1. Peel potatoes. By hand, or in food processor using shredder blade, alternately shred onion quarters and potatoes. (Shredding alternately with onions prevents potatoes from discoloring.)

2. Transfer potato mixture to colander. With hands, squeeze out as much moisture as possible and discard liquid. Transfer mixture to large bowl.

3. Mix in eggs, flour, salt and pepper; let stand for 5 minutes. Pour out any liquid. In large skillet, heat 1/4 inch (5 mm) oil over high heat until hot but not smoking.

4. To skillet, add 1/4 cup (50 mL) mixture per latke, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) between each latke. Flatten slightly with back of spoon.

5. Fry latkes for 3 minutes or until well browned and crisp around edges. With slotted spatula, turn latkes over and fry for 2 to 3 minutes longer or until crisp and golden brown.

6. Transfer latkes to paper towels and drain well. Repeat with remaining mixture, removing any cooked bits from skillet and
adding more oil as necessary. (Latkes can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. Partially thaw and reheat in 450F/230C oven for 5 to 8 minutes.) Serve immediately with sour cream or applesauce.

*Because of low moisture content, long oval baking potatoes, such as Russet Burbank, Norgold Russet and Shepody, are ideal for latkes. The potatoes can also be pureed to make smooth, dense latkes.

**You can substitute 1/4 cup (650 mL) matzo meal for all-purpose flour.

VARIATIONS

Sage and Parsley Latkes: Add 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried sage and 1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped fresh parsley to batter along with eggs.

Carrot Latkes: Substitute 1 cup (250 mL) grated carrots (about 4) for 1 of the potatoes. Add to shredded potato and onion mixture.