Latkes
One of my earliest childhood memories was of the smell of hot latkes bubbling away on
the stove at my grandmothers, My Grandmother (affectionally known as Bubba) had no
food processor, everything was handmade, freshly cooked and served to a delighted
group of loving and hungry grandchildren. My job as the eldest grandchild was to peel &
grate the potatoes. (by hand)
Here is her recipe to serve 4 hungry grandchildren
Ingredients
1 kilo potatoes, peeled
2 large onions peeled and grated
1 large egg checked & beaten
25 grams / 1 oz/ 1-2 table spoons fine matzo meal.(you can use Gluten free flour flour)
1 -2 Teaspoons salt.
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon baking powder
Plus, spare salt for sprinkling
½ Litre Vegetable oil for frying
Method
- Peel the potatoes and put them in cold water for at least 10 minutes.
- Peel and grate the onion, place in large bowl.
- Grate the potatoes, squeeze out excess liquid, Grandma used a medium blade on
a hand grater you can use a food processor on a medium grating blade, butt
Bubbah would say that’s cheating! - Put the oil on into a large frying pan and heat till medium.
- mix the grated potatoes & onion with the egg, salt, pepper, baking powder and
matzo meal or gluten free flour l mix well. - Spoon the latke mix into the oil, making sure they have room to spread (normally
we would do one trial one that was cooks perks !!) - Fry the latkes 4-5 minutes each side. They need to be golden brown, but the potato
needs to be cooked inside. - Lift out the latkes onto kitchen paper to drain, then sprinkle a little salt on top and
serve.
This recipe is a tribute to my grandmother, who spread light to everyone she met. It is
the tradition of Hanukkah filled with and the memory of times gone by, to be handed
down to the future generations with love.
May this Hannukah bring light to the darkness of the world, and be filled with miracles,
peace, freedom and love.