Recipe: Hanukkah Latkes (potato pancakes)

Hanukkah is coming VERY early this year (December 12). Of course the traditional food of the holiday is potato pancakes or LATKES. My family ALWAYS loved having freshly made latkes served with either applesauce or sour cream (we each had our own preferences).

The Food Channel has sent me some GREAT recipes for the holiday season to share with you, including this traditional recipe for latkes.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2 small yellow onions
• 1 large bag russet baking potatoes (approx. 2 1/2 lbs.)
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons Matzo ball mix
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Preparation

1. Trim the blossom end (opposite from stem – root end) of onions. Peel onions and place trimmed side down on the large shredding plate of a food processor. Shred down to stem and discard stem.
2. Reserve shredded onions in all their juice.
3. Peel, cut and shred potatoes on same shredder. Drain off some of the liquid from the potatoes and quickly mix with onions. The acidic juice from the onions will help prevent browning of potatoes.
4. Heat a heavy skillet with 1/2” of vegetable oil over medium to high heat to approximately 350°F.
5. Beat eggs, add Matzo ball mix, salt and baking powder. Blend well.
6. Drain excess liquid from potato and onion mixture.
7. Add egg mixture to potato mixture and blend well
8. With a 1/4 cup, portion a small potato patty, flatten to 1/2” thickness with approx. a 3” diameter.
9. Gently lay potato patty in oil. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until patty is golden brown.
10. Remove from fat with a slotted spoon or spatula and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
11. Serve hot with sour cream and apple sauce.

Thank you to The Food Channel for providing this recipe for the readers of Champagne Living. You can find this and many more on their website.