So Much Funukkah to Celebrate Hanukkah

For the next eight days, Jews around the world will be lighting their menorahs and eating greasy food to celebrate The Festival of Lights aka Hanukkah. Hanukkah is the celebration of a miracle that occurred many, many years ago, where a tiny bit of oil that was only supposed to last for one day, lasted for EIGHT!  So what's a better way to celebrate and symbolize this miracle, then to eat foods fried in oil? Introducing, the potato latke. Every family has their own version, whether the potatoes are shredded, or chopped, or mashed before being fried, but not matter what way you do it, lets face it, can there ever be anything wrong with fried potato? Here is my recipe for potato latkes, my family eats them with apple sauce or sour cream on top, or how my Zaidy used to eat them, sprinkled with some sugar. ENJOY!

Elyse's Potato Latkes
Makes about 18 latkes

• 2 large, baking potatoes, washed (I keep the peel on, but you can peel them if you want)
• 1 small onion
• 1 eggs
• 1/4 cup flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• vegetable oil for frying
  

1. Using a hand grater or a food processor, grate the potato and place into a strainer. The size of the grate is completely up to you, I like to grate them fine to medium. Once done, squeeze out any excess water from the potatoes and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Peel the onion and remove the root, then grate the onion using the same size grate as the potatoes and place into the mixing bowl.
3. Add in the egg, flour and salt and pepper and mix until combined, I find using my hands is the best way.
4. Heat enough oil to come up about an inch high in a large saute pan until hot (place the handle of a wooden spoon into the oil, if bubbles appear along the handle, the oil is ready).
5. Using your hands, form the potato mixture into small, flat rounds and fry on both sides until crisp, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Repeat until all the potato mixture is finished, adding oil to the pan if necessary.
6. Drain the latkes of any excess oil on paper towels and serve.

* Tip: Frying can cause your house to STINK! Placing a couple bowls of white vinegar around your kitchen while cooking will help to absorb the odours. (Thanks Avishai)