Potato Pancakes

As a child of a polish mother, potato pancakes were a staple in my diet, especially around Easter for lent. This past weekend my mother and I made them together and it brought back a lot of memories. My mom to this date makes the best potato pancakes in this world.

Potato Pancakes with Applesauce

4 Large Potatoes shredded
¼ to ½ grated or diced onion
2-3 tablespoons of flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
Enough oil to coat the bottom of your frying pan

First peel and shred your potatoes. According to my mom, this must be done by hand because they taste better that way. If you are busy a food processor will suffice. Another tip, use fresh potatoes because they are better with fresh potatoes. Either grate or dice your onion and add to the mix to a large bowl. Then add 2-3 tablespoons of flour, depending on the water content of the potatoes. You really do not want to add a lot of flour to this recipe because you want to taste the fresh potatoes. If you add too much flour it will taste like paste, trust me it happened the first time I ever made them. Then add your baking powder, egg, salt and pepper and mix to combine. Bring your oil up to frying temp and place the potato mixture in the pan. You may need to flatten it a bit with a spatula. Cook until golden brown on both sides, flipping it halfway through. Drain on a paper towel. These are best served right out of the frying pan so try to make them on the spot. My mother grew up eating them with applesauce so that is the way we eat them, but there are plenty of other options. You can eat with sour cream, ketchup, or even maple syrup. My dad eats them with maple syrup, I’m actually a bit repulsed by it but I have to admit there was a time I used to eat them like that. If you are feeling fancy, make them bite sized and top with sour cream and caviar, when I ate caviar, I thoroughly enjoyed them like that.

This is what the mixture should look like

Haluski

Growing up ½ Polish Haluski, also known as Cabbage and Noodles was a mainstay in my diet and I loved it since I was a child even though I’m not a huge fan of butter and cabbage used to gross me out. Now as an adult it is a perfect veg side or main dish that brings me back to childhood.

1 package of medium egg noodles

1 onion diced

1 head of cabbage chopped into strips 2” by 1”

1 stick of butter

First get your noodles going and then add half of your stick of butter to a separate pan. Saute the onions for about a minute and then add your cabbage, adding more butter as needed. Cook until the cabbage is soft and then add your noodles. You want to add more butter now. Cook until the noodles and cabbage get a bit browned. Top with salt, pepper, and paprika.You can serve this as a main dish during lent or as a side with Kielbasa, just don't try it with Tofurky Kielbasa!

It is so simple and easy so go ahead and try it!