There’s a Latke to Love About Potato Pancakes

Total Time: 1 Hour
Servings: 4

Ingredients
1 pound potatoes (russet, gold, or purple), scrubbed
1 medium onion, peeled and halved
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ cup all-purpose flour
8 Tbsp. canola or olive oil, for frying

Instructions
Using a food processor or box grater, grate the potatoes and the onion. Place in a colander lined with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and sprinkle with salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Using the towel or cheesecloth, squeeze as much liquid as possible from the potatoes and onion. Place the drained mixture in a large bowl. Add the egg and flour to the potato mixture and stir thoroughly. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is shimmering. Drop about ¼ cup of the potato mixture into the hot oil and flatten into a patty about ¼″ thick. Cook until golden, flipping once, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining potato mixture, frying several at once but not crowding the pan. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Serve with sauces.

Switch It Up

For a tasty nutrient boost, substitute one of the following (shredded) for ½ lb. of the potatoes:

Brussels Sprouts
Add ½ lb. (1 ½-2 cups) brussels sprouts, trimmed
Benefit: Sprouts add nuttiness and vitamin C.

Sweet Potato
Add ½ lb. sweet potatoes, peeled
Benefit: The sweet spuds add beta-carotene to help reduce muscle damage.

Beet
Add ½ lb. (2 medium) beets
Benefit: Nitrates in these earthy roots can improve endurance.

Celery Root
Add 1 medium celery root, peeled
Benefit: Adds a celery flavor, plus calcium and potassium.

Carrot+Parsnip
Add 2 medium carrots and 1 medium parsnip, peeled
Benefit: Sweetness, fiber, and vitamin C.

Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
1 apple, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 pear, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 tsp. honey or maple syrup
½ tsp. ground cinnamon

Instructions
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the apple, pear, honey, cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp. water. Stir, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is very soft and broken down, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in a pinch of salt, remove from heat, and cool to taste.

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Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup (3 oz.) shredded Gruyère cheese

Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in milk. Increase heat to medium-high, and simmer. Reduce heat. Simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in cheese.

Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients
1 Tbsp. olive oil
6 shallots, sliced
½ tsp. kosher salt

Instructions
In a skillet over medium-low heat, warm olive oil. Add shallots and salt, and stir to coat. Cook, stirring often, until soft and browned. (Add a splash of water if they start to burn.)