Monday, December 6, 2010

Happy Chanukah! Gluten-free Potato Latkes

Traditional potato latkes use Matzo meal or some other type of gluten-infused binder, which makes it difficult for me to enjoy the holiday with all its greasy goodness.  However, thanks to this Cooks Illustrated recipe and my handy-dandy Cuisinart 9-cup food processor, I was in latke heaven last night!!



The trick to these are to make sure they are drained of as much liquid as possible before frying.  I used Yukon gold potatoes, and cut the recipe down to half since I was only making this for two people.  We paired this with pork chops (I know...not very kosher!!) with a white wine & mushroom sauce and green beans to make a great meal.


Ingredients

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes or russet potatoes, peeled
1 medium yellow onion , peeled and cut into eighths
1 large egg
4 medium scallions , white and green parts, minced
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt

Ground black pepper
1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Grate potatoes in food processor fitted with coarse shredding blade. Place half the potatoes in fine mesh sieve set over medium bowl and reserve. Fit food processor with steel blade, add onions, and pulse with remaining potatoes until all pieces measure roughly 1/8 inch and look coarsely chopped, 5 to 6 one-second pulses. Mix with reserved potato shreds in sieve and press against sieve to drain as much liquid as possible into bowl below. Let potato liquid stand until starch settles to bottom, about one minute. Pour off liquid, leaving starch in bowl. Beat egg, then potato mixture and remaining ingredients (except oil), into starch.

  2. Meanwhile, heat 1/4-inch depth of oil in 12-inch skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Working one at a time, place 1/4 cup potato mixture, squeezed of excess liquid and pressed into 1/2-inch thick disc, in oil. Press gently with nonstick spatula; repeat until five latkes are in pan.

  3. Maintaining heat so fat bubbles around latke edges, fry until golden brown on bottom and edges, about three minutes. Turn with spatula and continue frying until golden brown all over, about three minutes more. Drain on a triple thickness of paper towels set on wire rack over a jelly roll pan. Repeat with remaining potato mixture, returning oil to temperature between each batch and replacing oil after every second batch. (Cooled latkes can be covered loosely with plastic wrap, held at room temperature for 4 hours, transferred to a heated cookie sheet and baked in a 375-degree oven, until crisp and hot, about 5 minutes per side. Or, they can be frozen on cookie sheet, transferred to zipper-lock freezer bag, frozen, and reheated in a 375-degree oven until crisp and hot, about 8 minutes per side). Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

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