Latkes are one of the most traditional foods that I refuse to play around with! You won’t see me making cauliflower latkes or carrot muffin latkes. Latkes need to be potatoes!
(Why do we eat latkes on Chanukah anyway?)
But I will have loads of fun with all sorts of delicious toppings. I mean, who decided that latkes only go with applesauce?
Start with a batch of delicious potato latkes. Here’s the recipe I use:
Ingredients:
8 potatoes, peeled and placed in a large bowl of cold water (so they don’t oxidize)
1 medium onion
1/2 cup Manischewitz Matzo Meal
2 eggs
1 Tbsp salt
2 tsp pepper
Oil, for frying
Directions:
1. Add the onion to a food processor fitted with the s blade. Add the matzo meal, eggs, salt and pepper and pulse until well mixed.
2. Leave in the food processor and now switch the S-blade for the grater piece. Grate the potatoes into the food processor.
3. Remove the batter from the food processor and place in a bowl. Squeeze out any excess liquid. The dryer the batter, the crispier the latke will be!
4. Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan and add about two inches of oil. Wait until it’s hot, about five to seven minutes. I always test it by dropping in a tiny bit of potato. If it starts sizzling right away, then you know it’s ready. With your hands, form parties. I like to squeeze the patties in my hand to get rid of any extra liquid. Fry until golden brown on both sides.
Then comes the fun part! Prepare any of these toppings combos and serve with the warm latkes.
1. Latke Board:
Some ideas of what to serve the latkes with:sour cream
lox
cut-up vegetables
applesauce
cubes of cheese
Get the full recipe. Enjoy!
Toppings:
schwarma (recipe follows)
s’chug
chummus
fried eggplant
hot peppers
pickles
Israeli salad
When I was testing these recipes, my family went nuts over this one!! The flavor combination is amazing and there are so many delicious toppings you can have fun with!
To make the schwarma: Heat a frying pan and add 2 tablespoons oil, 2 pounds chicken cutlets cut into 1/4-inch pieces, and 2 tablespoons schwarma spice. Fry for about 15-20 minutes until all the pieces are cooked through.
(You can choose to make everything, or just buy all the components and enjoy your Chanukah party. Whatever works for you!)
Get the full recipe. Enjoy!
3. Southwest Salad-Topped Latkes
Toppings:
ground beef (recipe follows)
tortilla chips, broken into pieces
corn
black beans
avocado
One of my kids won’t touch vegetables. Not for anything in the world. I once made this salad and stared open-mouthed while he ate this with gusto! Winner! When he saw me preparing the latkes this way, he said, “Ma! This is pure genius!”
To make the ground beef: In a frying pan, heat one tablespoon oil and add one and a half pounds of ground beef. Break up until you have nice little crumbles. Add two teaspoons BBQ sauce and one teaspoon hot sauce. Mix until well heated through. Let simmer for about 15 minutes until all the meat is browned. Drain and serve.
Get the full recipe. Enjoy!
Toppings:
kani
avocado
rice
spicy mayonnaise (recipe follows)
toasted sesame seeds
I absolutely love sushi salad. Even more so than traditional rolled sushi. I love how the flavors come together. Mixing it together with a latke gives you the best of both worlds!
To make the spicy mayo, mix together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, one teaspoon sriracha, one teaspoon toasted sesame oil, and one teaspoon soy sauce.
Get the full recipe. Enjoy!
5. Stuffed Baked Potato Latkes
Toppings:
vegetarian baked beans
guacamole (recipe follows)
shredded cheese
chives
sour cream
broccoli
red onion
This one is legit a no brainer. Use a latke instead of a baked potato! The fried crispy latke really takes this traditional American dish up a notch.
To make the guacamole, mix together the flesh of two ripe avocados, one teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if desired).
Get the full recipe. Enjoy!
Toppings:
apple pie filling (recipe follows)
cinnamon
whipped cream
Though I love to mix it up, applesauce and latkes are truly a no-brainer. So when I made a “deconstructed” apple pie, it just makes so much sense for the latke to be the “dough”!
To prepare the filling, peel two apples and dice small. Place in a small saucepan and heat on medium/low. Add one tablespoon cornstarch, one teaspoon lemon juice, one teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 cup water. Let simmer for about 10-15 minutes until thickened. Let cool. (Note: You could absolutely use store-bought apple pie filling to make this easier on yourself.)
Place a dollop of whipped cream on each latke. Top with a little apple pie filling and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Get the full recipe. Enjoy!
It’s your turn! What are your best original creative Chanukah recipes? Submit them to The Chanukah Challenge for a chance to win $1,000! (CONTEST HAS ENDED.)
Credits:
Text and Photography by Faigy Murray @mykitchen_mystudio
