Evan Kleiman's Latkes

This recipe is the one my mother and now I have been making for years. I mean years and years. It came from one of my mom’s best friends Roz Katz. Mom and Roz met as co-op nursery school mothers. The Katzs still grate the potatoes by hand using the old fashioned grater that is like a grid. I’m in a hurry so I use the food processor.

4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 small onion, peeled
1 egg
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of Salt
Grape Seed, Peanut or Corn oil for frying

Latkes can be made using a potato grater or in the food processor. If using a potato grater first grate the potatoes and the onion into a bowl. Add the beaten egg and the remaining ingredients and mix well.

To make in a food processor with steel blade add potatoes and onion to the bowl with egg. Process until coarsely chopped. Add remaining ingredients and process until the texture is as you wish.

To cook I recommend using a large non-stick skillet and peanut or grape seed oil. Put enough oil in the pan to a depth of 1/4 inch. Heat oil until hot but not smoking. Stir the potato batter and make pancakes about 4-inches in diameter turning once when the first side is deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with homemade applesauce, sour cream and powdered sugar.

 

- Recipe courtesy of Evan Kleiman