Shalom Bayit Kugel (Potato Kugel)

Submitted by Sarah Chana

"This is called shalom bayit (peace in the home) kugel, because that is precisely the effect it has on mine when I make it on Friday afternoon. This is a recipe for either 2 large kugels (9"x13" and deep) or 4 small kugels (@8-9" square). It is best straight out of the oven, but can be saved for lunch the next day. To further its shalom bayit potential, I usually make it into four small kugels: one to feed my underfed, stressed out family on Friday afternoon (we always seem to forget real meals while we are preparing for Shabbat), another one for Friday night, another for Shabbat day, and, equally important, the fourth to give to some other family which is either running late, stressed out, just had a baby, or needs a pick-me-up. Never fails to work wonders. The key to this kugel is baking it first at a high temperature for a short time, and then at a lower temp. Wishing your family a peaceful day."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 5
• Yields: 4 9" square pans

ingredients

• 10 lbs potatoes, peeled
• 2 onions, peeled
• 9 -10 large eggs (or 7-8 extra-large eggs)
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons salt
• 1⁄4 cup oil

directions

1. Preheat oven to 500F (yes, 500F!).
2. Grate the potatoes and onions on the middle sized hole of a grater; either by hand or by food processor.
3. If you grate the potatoes and onions together, the potatoes will not turn grey right away.
4. Put into a large bowl or soup pot, and mix well with remaining ingredients.
5. Grease your baking pans, and pour mixture evenly into the pans.
6. Bake for 15 minutes at 500F, then lower the oven to 400F until done (check after an hour or so; it should be golden brown on top).
7. Eat and enjoy.

Reviews

[Maeven6]

A winner at my Pesach Seder and For breakfast two days later pan fried. They didn't even realize it was left over kugel. I did only 5# of potatoes but left all the other ingredients the same. I added 2 Tbspns fresh dill from the garden and changed the oil to 1/2cup of coconut oil. Yes, I used 9 eggs for 5# of potatoes. It was a perfect 9x13 pan full. I had loads of other dishes also so this fed 20, everyone with a portion.

 

[KosherCook]

This recipe was just ok. My family didnt go for it like I hoped they would. It was too mushy while looking almost burn on the outside. The taste was just ok.

 

[Manami]

Hi Sarah Chana, what a great kugel! I must admit that I made it awhile ago and I just forgot about reviewing it! So very sorry. We have made this twice now and given it to a family when we took them a whole basket of food. I love potatoes and onions any which way. Made the recipe as posted except for the fact that I added black pepper and 1 tablespoon butter and reduced the oil to three tablespoons. Thank you again for posting and for sharing a lovely tadition, Diane :=)

 

[justcallmetoni]

Like Mirj, I made this for the 2006 Pick a Kugel quartering the recipe to prepare as a side for pot roast leftovers. Not sure if it really keeps the peace at home as we were fussing over the crispy top and bottom to this kugel. Reminded me of the fried potato sticks we ate as kids. The inside layer is rather mushy and while not as appealing was good comfort food. (Let's say the inside was a 4 but the outside was a 6 or better - giving this a 5.) Alas, despite moving quickly from processor to oven and even adding onion at same time, my potatoes did get that greyish cast. Will try and figure out a way to go faster next time. Thanks.

 

[Mirj2338]

I made this for the 2006 Kugelthon, and it's a winner, and in more ways than one! This kugel really does enable shalom bayit. My husband and his family are kugel haters. My family and I are kugel lovers. The proportions in this kugel are just perfect, and when I set this on the Shabbat table I told my husband and his kids that I was just indulging my family's appetites with the kugel. But it seems that they were curious. I supposed curiousity turned into gluttony, because they had second helpings, and I don't think it was out of politeness. This blended kugel brought together a blended family, thanks Sherry!