Gourmet Latkes

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Two unique recipes to spice up your holiday.

Ashkenazi Jews were the first to combine feasting on fried potato patties with the celebration of Hanukkah. The idea behind these adored delicacies is another way of commemorating the miracle of the flask of oil. The deep fried patties remind us of the miracle with just the right amount of oil with every bite.

Hanukkah is eight days long which means both humdrum Tuesdays and Shabbat dinners require latkes. Every day requires its fresh taste of holiday cheer. That's why I wrote two vastly different latke recipes, one perfect for the midweek Hanukkah festivities and one for a fancier occasion like Thanksgivikkah or Shabbat.

Being that Hanukkah is meant for celebration and not one celebrated in the kitchen, these recipes are heavy on flavor but light on prep time.

May you have a happy and healthy Hanukkah.

Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes with a Mint Yogurt Sauce (dairy)

Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes with a Mint Yogurt SauceMakes about 3 dozen

Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes

  • 1/2 Tbsp curry powder
  • 1 Tbsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 large leeks
  • 2 Ib sweet potatoes
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup of matzo meal
  • canola oil- as needed

Mint Yogurt Sauce

  • 2 tsp fresh ginger (grated)
  • 3 Tbsp fresh mint (diced)
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 2 Tbsp orange juice
  • 1 cup of Greek yogurt
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet over a medium heat.

Toast your latke spices for about 2 minutes or until they become fragrant.

When you are done toasting your spices, place them in a large bowl.

Pour canola oil into your skillet so that it is about half an inch high and keep it over the medium heat.

Slice your sweet potatoes and leeks into long thin strings and mix them together in a large bowl.

Toss your spices with your vegetables in the bowl.

In a separate small bowl, beat your eggs.

Gently toss your eggs into your spice and vegetable mixture so that they are combined.

Mix in your matzo meal thoroughly, but not with a heavy hand so that it doesn’t become clumpy.

Place about three tablespoons of latke batter in the palm of your hand.

With both your hands, compress the batter so that you create a small patty. Each patty should be about 1/4 an inch thick and 3 inches in diameter.

Place each Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes into your frying pan and cook until each side is crispy. It will only take a few minutes to cook on each side.

The latke is ready when you think it is. Some people like them barely cooked and others slightly burnt. The best way to know if you latke is cooked enough is to try one.

While your Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes cook, fill a baking dish with a layer of paper towels.

Place your cooked Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes on the paper towel so that it will absorb some of the excess oil.

To make your mint yogurt sauce, place all your mint yogurt sauce ingredients, except for your Greek yogurt, in a small container

Now mix in your Greek yogurt so that all the mint yogurt sauce is completely combined.

Serve your Indian Spiced Sweet Potato Latkes immediately with the Mint Yogurt Sauce on the side.

Spiced Meat and Potato Latkes and Persimmon Salad with a Citrus Salsa Verde (meat)

Spiced Meat and Potato Latkes and Persimmon Salad with a Citrus Salsa VerdeMakes about 3 dozen

Citrus Salsa Verde

  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp green olives (diced)
  • 1/2 cup of parsley (diced)
  • 2 Tbsp cilantro (diced)
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp orange juice
  • 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Spiced Meat and Potato Latkes

  • 3 small potatoes (peeled and grated)
  • 2 Ib ground beef
  • 1 leek (grated)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup of fresh coriander (diced)
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 2/3 cup of matzo meal
  • canola oil-as needed

Persimmon Salad

  • 3 large persimmons
  • 1/2 small red onion
  • 3Tbsp pumpkin seeds
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice
  • Pinch of cloves
  • Pinch of allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Start by making your Citrus Salsa Verde.

Mix all of the salsa ingredients together and place them in a plastic container.

Let the flavors marinate for as long as possible, preferably overnight, before serving.

Start making your Spiced Meat and Potato Latkes.

Pour canola oil into your skillet so that it is about half an inch high and keep it over a medium high heat.

Place your grated potato pieces in a strainer and try to as much excess liquid as possible.

Combine your potatoes, meat, and leeks in a large bowl.

Gradually combine your eggs and then your matzo meal.

Fill the palm of your hand with about three tablespoons of Spiced Meat and Potato Latkes batter.

Bring both your hands together to create a small patty. Each patty should be about 1/4 an inch thick and 3 inches in diameter.

Place each latke into the hot oil pan and cook until each side is crispy. It will only take a few minutes to cook on each side.

The latke is ready when each side is slightly browned.

While your latkes cook, fill a baking dish with a layer of paper towels.

Place your cooked Spiced Meat and Potato Latkes on the paper towel so that it will absorb some of the excess oil.

Make the Persimmon Salad by mixing all of the ingredients in a medium bowl.

Serve your Spiced Meat and Potato Latkes hot with the Citrus Salsa Verde and Persimmon Salad at room temperature on the side.

Click here for more Hanukkah recipes.

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