How To Make Potato Latkes

I just went to New York City and while I was there, visited the Natural History Museum for about two hours. It was long enough to see most of the second floor displays. That place is humongous.

One part I really liked was the religious section. It has displays about Christianity and Judaism and Islam with scale models of temples and placards that summarized the history and the gist of each religion. It probably had some other religions in that section, too, but those stood out as “I should read this placard” since, you know, there’s all the political bullshit raging on. And I know that one of my biggest knowledge gaps is my understanding of various religions. I was raised Episcopalian and I still don’t even really know shit about that one, besides the basic tenets of, like, Jesus died for my sins and there’s gonna be snacks after.

But, the important part is, I never realized that those three are so similar. I mean, they all believe in God and they all believe in prophets, so… really the big difference is whose prophet came last? Or whose prophet was the REAL prophet? Is that it? Man, people can be so nitpicky.

Anyway, I was thinking about that after we shot this episode because I think most people probably think of latkes as Jewish food, and I felt like some people might think it was weird that a non-Jew would make some Jewish food on her internet cooking show and not even have Woody Allen come on as a guest star, but I think it’s not so weird when you think about the fact that we are all humans and humans of all countries and religions like potato pancakes for breakfast.

Potato Latkes

Potato latkes

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How To Make Potato Latkes

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5 from 2 reviews

  • Yield: 3-4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb potatoes (starchy Russets are my preference)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 c finely chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/41/2 c olive oil
  • Serve with: sour cream, applesauce

Instructions

  1. Grate most of the potatoes on the large holes of a grater. Grate about 1/4 cup of potato on the fine side.
  2. Put all the potatoes on a clean towel and squeeze to dry them.
  3. Mix with the egg, onion, garlic, salt.
  4. Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a skillet over high heat.
  5. When it is very hot, drop the potato mixture by large spoonfuls onto the skillet (about 1/4 c each) and spread out to make a 4″ patty.
  6. Fry for 2-3 minutes until very brown.
  7. Flip carefully and cook an additional 3 minutes.
  8. Show someone you love them by letting them eat those while they are hot because that’s when they are the best.
  9. Add more oil to the skillet if necessary and fry the rest of the mixture for yourself.
  10. Makes 6-8 latkes (or potato pancakes or draniki or reibekuchen or rosti).

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21 Comments

  1. matt gordon on December 7, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    latkes are amazing. i am a christian and i love the jewish food of all the holidays.
    you might need to do a austin blogging awards post for us. i bet it was a blast. hope you took some hardware back because you have a great blog. and i dont even live in austin

    • Hilah Cooking on December 7, 2010 at 5:53 pm

      Hi Matt! These are indeed amazing. I would like some right now. The blogger party was super fun and I got a schwag bag so that is cool, too!

  2. matt gordon on December 7, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    is the 1 on your right shoulder from the blogging awards last night? what if it was a pirate tattoo because you were the first one to walk the plank… arrrg matey

  3. Great Stone Face on December 7, 2010 at 2:12 pm

    Thank you!! Just the recipe i wanted!

    • Hilah Cooking on December 7, 2010 at 2:54 pm

      I know! You’re welcome!
      PS. I think I have figured out your real name, GSF.

  4. Steve Singler on December 7, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    Gotta LOVE them TA-TA’s (taters I’m talkin ’bout). And…….. Your husband’s so lucky, he gets to wake up every morning to YOU, AND your cooking.

    • Hilah Cooking on December 7, 2010 at 2:53 pm

      Mmm…ta-tas

  5. Bonnie Wilkinson on December 7, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    Those look delicious, I’m gonna make them soon! Cute shirt Hiliah!

    • Hilah Cooking on December 7, 2010 at 5:52 pm

      Thanks Bonnie! They were so delicious.

  6. Bonnie Wilikinson on December 7, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    Above is the Jewish spelling of your name 😛 I meant Hilah 😀

  7. Scott on December 11, 2010 at 4:23 am

    Loved this episode. I dunno what it is, but i love a lot of the jewish ethnic food I have tried. Living in california the only reason I got a taste of any was friends from brooklyn bringing back some flavors of their neighborhood.

    I still remember fourth of july with the Pork Explosion and Knish, Yum!

    And congratulations on bringing home so many awards. Well deserved.

    • Hilah Cooking on December 11, 2010 at 1:38 pm

      Thank you, Scott! Pork explosion AND knish, huh? Best of both worlds! 🙂

  8. Anastasia on December 14, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    I have always felt the same way about religion. And really want some latkes right now. Thanks.

    • Hilah Cooking on December 14, 2010 at 2:53 pm

      Hi Anastasia! I checked out your blog – the first post made me cry – that sweet girl. Thanks for writing.

  9. lauren on February 18, 2012 at 1:00 am

    hi those latkes were so good

    • Hilah on February 18, 2012 at 11:49 am

      Thanks, Lauren! Glad you liked them!

  10. Skeletronis on November 20, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    My word, i never knew how people made hash browns… i mean that with all humility being that i am 35 years old…. But i will be doing that this weekend! Fantastic video!






    • Hilah on November 20, 2013 at 5:09 pm

      Ha! Well, these are not really hashbrowns but they are delicious! 🙂

      • Skeletronis on November 20, 2013 at 5:30 pm

        Well they still look a lot better than waffle house so im going to be making those sonsabitches soon! Thanks for yet another fantastic recipe!






  11. ralph on December 30, 2013 at 12:59 am

    Well it’s nearly the same as german “Kartoffelpuffer” and due to the fact, that germans are mostly christians I guess there is no religious restriction for potato pancakes 😀

  12. Esther Nir on December 21, 2016 at 4:25 pm

    Thank you for including Hannukah! I must admit that my husband makes the Best potato latkes ever so I won’t be trying anyone else’s recipe. But I absolutely Love your recipes and cooking show more than any other; you are a beautiful person! Merry Xmas to you and your family!

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