Best 2 Schmaltz Latkes Recipes

POTATO LATKES

Steps:

• Grate the onion on the side of a box grater with the largest holes until you have 1/3 cup. Place in a large bowl and reserve the rest of the onion for another use.
• Shred the potatoes in a food processor fitted with a grating disc with medium-sized holes. Remove and discard any large chunks. Immediately and thoroughly toss with the onion.
• Line a smaller bowl with cheesecloth and fill with the potato-onion mixture. Twist into a ball and wring out as much of the liquid as possible, reserving the liquid. Let the extracted liquid sit undisturbed for 5 minutes to allow the starch to settle, then pour off the liquid so that only the starch remains.
• Whisk the egg into the starch and set aside.
• Add the schmaltz to a cast-iron skillet to measure 1/8 inch deep and heat over medium until shimmering. (Don't let it get over 375 degrees F; that's its smoke point.)
• Place the potatoes in a large bowl, add the instant mashed potatoes, salt and pepper and combine using your hands. Stir in the egg mixture.
• Drop a mounded tablespoon's worth of the potato mixture into the skillet and flatten firmly with the back of a spatula. Fry in batches of 4 until browned, flipping only once, 2 to 3 minutes per side, then remove to a rack set over a pan lined with paper towels. Season immediately with additional salt. Continue to add fat in between batches to maintain 1/8-inch depth.

MATZO LATKES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet set over medium-high heat. Add onions, and saute until translucent; set aside. Place matzo in a food processor, and process until coarsely ground; you should have 1 1/2 cups crumbs, or meal. Set aside. Place cottage cheese in the clean bowl of the food processor, and blend until smooth.
• In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup matzo crumbs, cottage cheese, sauteed onions, egg, and 2 tablespoons snipped chives; season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place remaining 1 cup ground matzo in a shallow dish. Evenly divide chilled mixture into quarters, and using your hands, flatten each part into a 4-inch round. Dredge in ground matzo, and set aside on a plate.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook latkes, turning once, until browned on both sides. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Roll salmon slices into rosettes. Serve latkes with a dollop of horseradish cream and a salmon rosette; garnish with chives.