Ode To A Latke Bruschetta

This first recipe is my ode to a latke. Most people have parties on Chanukah, meaning they need a lot of food for a lot of hungry people. This recipe makes a party-size amount with all the sophistication of a party hors d’oeuvre. The potato bread uses real potato versus using potato flour, bringing it that much closer to a latke. I topped the bread with roasted apple and honey Mascarpone, to be reminiscent of the classic sour cream and applesauce condiments and Voila! It’s the latke! In a way fit for a true olive oil appreciation and a little more sophistication. The olive oil in this recipe is only added at the end, but don’t doubt it till you try it! The oil elevates the toast, giving it elegance and refinement. This bread recipe is dairy, so don’t forget to make a symbol on your bread to remind you. You can just as easily switch out the milk for soy milk and the butter for margarine, if you want to keep the bread parve.

Directions

Make the Bread

1. Place potato and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until very tender. Drain, reserving half a cup of liquid.

2. Mash potato (without added milk or butter); set aside.

3. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, sugar, salt, four cups flour, potatoes and reserved cooking liquid; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.

4. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about six to eight minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about one hour.

5. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in thirds. Shape into loaves. Place in three 8- x 4-inch greased loaf pans (mini loafs). Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Sprinkle lightly with additional flour. Bake 35–40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

7. When the bread is completely cool, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and use a serrated knife to slice the bread into half-inch to quarter-inch slices. Then slice the slices in half on a diagonal. Lay the bread on a baking sheet in one layer and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Toast the bread for 10-15 minutes, flipping the pieces midway. The bread should be golden brown and crusty, not burnt or soft in the middle. Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool on cooling rack so it doesn’t get soggy.

Roast the Apples

In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Sprinkle the spices evenly over the apples and drizzle the apples with the honey and olive oil.

Roast the apples for 15–20 minutes, or until soft. Keep warm in the oven at 150 degrees Fahrenheit, or cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to warm and use.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay the apple slices in a single layer on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.

Prepare the Marscapone

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl and set aside until ready to use.

Assemble

On each of the bread slices, spread a layer of the mascarpone mixture. Top with a few slices of roast apple and some thyme leaves.

Lay the bruschetta on a serving dish and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with a little of the salt flakes and serve!

Recipe tags

Apples and honey Apps Bruschetta Channukah Cheese Cooking in heels Crostini Fall flavors Fruity Hanuka Hors d'oeuvres Mascarpone Olive oil Party food Potato bread Sophisticated Tapas Updated With a twist