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To make the Best Potato Pancakes might take a little more work than a mashed potato but it is so worth it. A potato pancake is a dish that usually comes around at holiday time. I so love it. Why don’t I think to make them more often. In Jewish homes, these are known as latkes. My last post, I wrote about my Smoked Beef Brisket. I thought the potato pancake would be the perfect side dish. It may not show up on many, if any, traditional BBQ menus but I am here to change that today!
Best Potato Pancake
What makes the potato pancake so good is it is pan fried. Anything pan fried is good. These potatoes are a cousin of hash browns. I love the crispy exterior of the hash brown. The hash brown typically is cooked on a flat top grill. There are two other differences. The first difference is pretty subtle and that is the hash brown works with a shredded potato and this potato pancake gets mashed up in a food processor. The second, more significant difference, is the addition of matzo meal. The matzo meal, along with the eggs, is the binder. Matzo meal is like a cracker. It is unleavened bread. It helps give body and texture to the potatoes.
The potatoes are actually cooked twice. First, the potatoes are peeled and placed in a pot of boiling water and cooked until tender. After the potatoes are cool enough to handle, use your food processor to blend them. Work in batches. I like to leave some chunks of the potato so I do not blend them completely. Once the potatoes are blended, let them sit in a bowl for a short while and drain off the excess water.
The cast of characters.
Ingredients
The potatoes cut up and the blended in the food processor.
Potatoes Cut Up
Potatoes Processed
Veggies and eggs in the food processor.
Veggies in Food Processor
All the ingredients in the bowl and then mixed together.
All Ingredients Added
All Mixed
Potato Pancakes frying in the pan.
Potatoes in Oil
The Best Potato Pancake Plated.
Best Potato Pancake
- 5 pounds yukon gold potatoes
- 1 cup matzoh meal
- 4 eggs
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- Corn oil for frying
- 1 bunch green onion
- Peel and cube the potatoes.
- Place in a boiling pot of water and cook until fork tender. Let them cool a little bit.
- Place in a food processor in batches and blend.
- Squeeze as much liquid out of the potatoes as possible.
- Blend the eggs and green onions in the food processor.
- Add all the spices and veggie and egg mixture to potatoes. Mix well.
- Fill a skillet with about 1/4" of oil and warm on medium heat.
- Once the oil is shimmering, take a ball of the potatoes and place in the skillet.
- Take a spatula and flatten. Cook about 3 minutes per side.
- Remove from pan when done and drain on a baking rack.
- Complete with the rest of the potatoes.
- Serve and enjoy!
- While cooking the rest of the potatoes, the potatoes can be placed on a baking tray and put in an oven at 200 - 225 degrees to keep warm.
These pancakes look delicious! I haven’t had one in years, and now you’ve really got me in the mood for them. Calling them the “best,” however, means they’ll have to compete with my grandmother’s, but they look so good, I’ll give it a shot.
I do not want to compete with your grandmother. She wins!!!!
These looks so yummy and perfectly crispy! Thanks for sharing your secret to make the perfect potato pancake, these are on my list to make!
You are very welcome.
They sound simple to make and super delicious. As a potato lover I’m always looking for new ways to prepare potatoes! Bookmarking your recipe to try soon.
Please do let me know if you try this recipe and be sure to shoot me a pic.
We call these rostis in the UK 🙂 shameful to admit I’ve never made them myself though. Will have to use this recipe seeing as its the best 😉
Love how foods have different names from different areas of the world.
These look AMAZING! Thanks for the recipe. Since I’m a potato lover I’m always looking for new ways to cook them.
I loved potato pancakes growing up and should give then a try again!
Yes you need to. I love them more now that ever.
I bet these are lovely and crispy on the outside but soft inside. Delicious
Bintu, you described these potatoes perfectly.
Such a great comfort meal!
You are so right!
My grandmother would always make potato pancakes. I loved them so much. These look great! Makes me want to make some of my own! Thanks for sharing!
Thx for sharing your memory.