Perfect Potato Pancakes (Latkes)
- Ready In:
- 35mins
- Ingredients:
- 9
- Serves:
-
4
ingredients
- 3 large potatoes, peeled (about 2 lbs.)
- 1 small onion
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons matzo meal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- fresh ground pepper
- 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening, plus additional if needed
- applesauce (optional)
- sour cream (optional)
directions
- Grate potatoes on medium-fine grater into large bowl. Grate onion and mix with potatoes.
- Carefully drain some of the liquid from potato m ixture. Stir in egg, matzoh meal, salt, and pepper.
- Heat 1/2 cup shortening in large skillet over high heat until rippling.
- For each pancake, spoon 1/4 cup potato mixture into skillet, flattening with back of spoon. Fry pancakes in single layer in batches, adding shortening if needed, until crisp and golden brown, 2-3 minutes each side. Serve pancakes immediately with applesauce and sour cream on the side, if desired.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
JackieOhNo!
Stormville, New York
I didn't start cooking until my early 20's, even though I come from a family of accomplished and admired home cooks. While I grew up watching my Italian grandmother in the kitchen, I remained uninterested in trying anything on my own. As a young lady, I was known for being particularly ignorant in the kitchen, with no idea how to even make a hot dog! All this changed, however, when I got engaged. I realized it was time to let my inherent talents out of the bag. At the time, the New York Times had a weekly column called The 60-Minute Gourmet by Pierre Franey. Each week, I would follow these recipes diligently, and taught myself to cook that way. From there, I began to read cookbooks and consult with relatives on family recipes. At my ripe old age now, I feel I know enough to put together a very pleasing meal and have become accomplished in my own right. Having an Irish father and an Italian mother, I'm glad I inherited the cooking gene (and the drinking one too!). One thing I have learned is that simpler is always better! I always believe cooking fills a need to nurture and show love. After being widowed fairly young and living alone with my dog and cats, I stopped cooking for awhile, since I really had no one to cook for. I made care packages for my grown son occasionally, and like to cook weekly for my boyfriend, so I feel like I am truly back in the saddle!!