Potato pancakes!

RE: Potato pancakes! (Sonny Funzio)

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:47:48 GMT

There's a German Festival that's held every year in June at the Germania Club Downriver in Brownstown, Michigan where they make that style of potato pancake (as the OP noted). They have a dedicated tent with 3 or 4 big gas fired hotslab/griddles going to cook them ... makes the whole area smell wonderfully of potato pancakes. A plate of potato pancakes and a cold German beer ... that's livin.

RE: Potato pancakes! (CCinNJ)

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 14:19:59 GMT

Friday is fish cake & potato pancake day at my wonderful neighborhood German Deli (Fifth Street Deli-Ette). It's been so long since I had either one...this Friday will be fish cake & potato pancake day for me!

RE: Potato pancakes! (carlton pierre)

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 12:47:10 GMT

I found a really good German restaurant in Norfolk, VA this week, The German Pantry, on Va Beach Blvd. Great potato pancakes and excellent spaetzle, schnitzel, and even a small selection of German things for sale. It's been there 40 years and I'll visit on subsequent visits to the area.

RE: Potato pancakes! (Hepcat)

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:50:18 GMT

gostillerz
First time I ordered them in a restaurant, I freaked out. They gave me hash browns!! I don't know about you guys, but I thought pancakes were made with a batter, not shredded potatoes. I was so mad.

Yes, that made me mad too when I got them that way at Smitty's Pancake House! Although the basically wheat flour version served at places such as the Golden Griddle make me madder still.

Here's how proper potato pancakes should look:

RE: Potato pancakes! (gostillerz)

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:36:09 GMT

I absolutely love potato pancakes! My grandparents on both sides came from near Lviv to Pittsburgh after WW2. We had them every Friday growing up. My Babas' grated the potato and some onion. Drained some water before adding the onion though. One egg and a spoonful of flour. The smell of those frying in the pan...oh my God. My school was 3 doors down from my house. You could smell it the second you walked out the door, and I'd run like hell to get home to help make them.

The way I ate them was put some sour cream in the middle, use a fork to fold it in half, and shove the whole thing in my mouth. I'd go through 20 of them as a snack.

First time I ordered them in a restaurant, I freaked out. They gave me hash browns!! I don't know about you guys, but I thought pancakes were made with a batter, not shredded potatoes. I was so mad.

The recipe is simple, but it's a pain to make like pierogies. Granted I'm using a box grater still, but there would still be 4 burners going at once just to make enough for 2 people, and still takes about 2 hours to do. You can't fry them at a high heat because the middle would still be raw. And never only use oil to fry. Either bacon grease, lard or a mix of melted butter and veggie oil.

http://foodperestroika.fi...10/12/deruny-small.jpg

RE: Potato pancakes! (Hepcat)

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:39:45 GMT

kland01s

Tried a new place for breakfast yesterday in Batavia, Il called Lumes on Fabayan Parkway in the Trader Joe's plaza. Every time I go to TJ's this place is packed so we thought we'd try it about 7:15am. I was pleased to see they had Potato Pancakes on the menu and tried them. They were, well, I'm not sure how to describe them, didn't taste very potatoey,there was some hint of green onion and they were kind of doughy in the middle.

What are called "potato" pancakes are like that in a lot of places including the Golden Griddle, the largest pancake chain in this area. All they've done is added a bit of potato flour to their regular pancake mix which merely makes for a heavier pancake.

RE: Potato pancakes! (Hepcat)

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 15:34:04 GMT

rumbelly

Try the Swiss version named roesti.

Boil starchy potatoes till almosted cooked through, cool them in their jackets and peel while still warm. Grate them and add chopped onions, finely chopped bacon, fresh thyme and salt and pepper. Fry them in small non-stick pans or on a greasy griddle with BUTTER till brown and crispy. Enjoy these puppies with mixed meats like schnitzel, various forms of sausages, Kassler(smoked pork loin), double smoked bacon etc. Side it with kraut and copious quantities of beer. Believe me you get the bed to yourself.

The roesti with those side dishes is a big customer favourite at the Richtree and Marche (same owners) market restaurants on Yonge Street in downtown Toronto at Brookfield Place, the Eaton Centre and College Park. I've had it many times. It's very good although the texture and flavour differ from that of Eastern European potato pancakes.

Very good and reasonably priced potato pancakes are available at Perogies Place in London, Ontario on the north side of Dundas Street East just west of Clarke Road.

RE: Potato pancakes! (The Mikado)

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:07:41 GMT

I haven't tried it yet, but I've seen recommendations that you use your leftover colcannon and try an Irish potato pancake made that way.

The trouble is the phrase "leftover colcannon." If I have any, it's too tempting to just microwave the leftovers and wolf them down. Guess I'll never know.

RE: Potato pancakes! (viennadog)

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:23:44 GMT

True, it's easy to make potato pancakes at home. My mom used to make some very good ones. I knew when our funds were low when we'd have them for dinner. The other dinner entree would be noodles and bacon with cinnamon.

Anyway, I found a great place to have them out and that is the Original Pancake House in Charlotte. They come with the eggs benedict and are the thinist tastiest potato pancakes! I think OPH is a nationwide chain.

The absolute best potato pancakes were a Tatra Inn, a Polish restaurant on the SW side of Chicago. They are currently closed, but looking for a new location. They have THE Best Polish food anywhere! Seriously! I keep calling them every now and then to make sure they haven't given up on finding a new location. If anyone wants to chime in their number is (773)582-8313.

RE: Potato pancakes! (marzsit)

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:54:23 GMT

my hungarian family also is very fond of potato pancakes, grated raw potato with plenty of garlic and onion, sometimes egg but no flour, fried crispy in bacon grease and served for breakfast or dinner with lecso' (a sort of goulash soup) very inexpensive peasant food but we never went hungry :)

RE: Potato pancakes! (genewj)

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 22:22:34 GMT

my Jewish grandmother used to make them as a treat on saturday nite.
I have her recipe and used it in one of our fine food restaurants on sundays..Couldn't keep enuf on the grill.

RE: Potato pancakes! (jmckee)

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:48:42 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by dickestep

quote:
Originally posted by guacshorts

will i offend anyone if i mention i have done similar according to the best recipes in this thread, BUT also experimented and usedyam instead of potato?
oops!

but to all of your credit, since this dish is not part of my heritage (think south american empanadas and mexican mole sauce for me) i never knew about the applesauce aspect of it.
YUMM to that and THANKS to all of you!

That news certainly does not offend me. I'm visualizing the marvelous flavors that must be produced in frying shredded or riced yams in butter! I've fried sliced yams before and like them.

Even better: Cut them and fry them like French fries; sprinkle with a combination of salt and sugar (about 2:1 ratio). Quel yum.

RE: Potato pancakes! (dickestep)

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:12:54 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by guacshorts

will i offend anyone if i mention i have done similar according to the best recipes in this thread, BUT also experimented and usedyam instead of potato?
oops!

but to all of your credit, since this dish is not part of my heritage (think south american empanadas and mexican mole sauce for me) i never knew about the applesauce aspect of it.
YUMM to that and THANKS to all of you!

That news certainly does not offend me. I'm visualizing the marvelous flavors that must be produced in frying shredded or riced yams in butter! I've fried sliced yams before and like them.

RE: Potato pancakes! (guacshorts)

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 19:06:01 GMT

will i offend anyone if i mention i have done similar according to the best recipes in this thread, BUT also experimented and usedyam instead of potato?

oops!

but to all of your credit, since this dish is not part of my heritage (think south american empanadas and mexican mole sauce for me) i never knew about the applesauce aspect of it.

YUMM to that and THANKS to all of you!

RE: Potato pancakes! (dickestep)

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:53:21 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by rumbelly

Try the Swiss version named roesti.

Boil starchy potatoes till almosted cooked through, cool them in their jackets and peel while still warm. Grate them and add chopped onions, finely chopped bacon, fresh thyme and salt and pepper. Fry them in small non-stick pans or on a greasy griddle with BUTTER till brown and crispy. Enjoy these puppies with mixed meats like schnitzel, various forms of sausages, Kassler(smoked pork loin), double smoked bacon etc. Side it with kraut and copious quantities of beer. Believe me you get the bed to yourself.

Prosit!!

I had to call it to the attention of some friends in Switzerland they had not shared this with us. Kicking up these fine recipes!

RE: Potato pancakes! (Hillbilly)

Mon, 24 Nov 2003 12:53:09 GMT

We had excellent crisp potato pancakes with last Friday night's fish fry at "Turner's" in Milwaukee. We had to ask for them, though. FF's are standard, and the cakes were an extra $.90--but well worth it.
The fish at these Friday night fish fries are much better than what I had eaten in Wisconsin and Minnesota in the past, but they don't come close to the fried flounder, catfish, trout or grouper served in the South. AND THESE FOLKS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HUSPUPPIES!! I wager that they would be a major hit if a restaurant in this part of the world started putting a bowl on the table to go along with the fried fish.

RE: Potato pancakes! (kland01s)

Mon, 24 Nov 2003 10:16:09 GMT

Tried a new place for breakfast yesterday in Batavia, Il called Lumes on Fabayan Parkway in the Trader Joe's plaza. Every time I go to TJ's this place is packed so we thought we'd try it about 7:15am. I was pleased to see they had Potato Pancakes on the menu and tried them. They were, well, I'm not sure how to describe them, didn't taste very potatoey,there was some hint of green onion and they were kind of doughy in the middle. I am pretty sure they were deep fried because they were very crunchy on the outside. My partner had a veggie omlette which was light and fluffy but we decided that $16 was too much for breakfast. That was for no coffee or juice, just the omlette and the pancakes.

RE: Potato pancakes! (ocdreamr)

Sat, 15 Nov 2003 23:01:38 GMT

Thought you all might find this e:mail I just got from my sister on South Padre Island, TX interesting.

" We are heading up to San Antonio and Fredericksburg on Thursday and Friday. We want to go back to Fredericksburg for the German Bakery and Restaurant. Had potato pancakes there for breakfast in August. My kids can't believe we are driving over 300 miles for breakfast. They don't know what they're missing."

Don't know what's wrong with my niece & nephews, makes sense to me!

RE: Potato pancakes! (oldfrt)

Fri, 14 Nov 2003 14:16:08 GMT

I make em about the same as hepcat. The flour part I play by ear once I see how "wet" the batch is turning out.

Another angle, which I love, is for breakfast. Make up a small batch, fry em, put three or four on a plate and lay 2 or 3 fried eggs on top! Side with sausage or bacon.

When we have a taste for them we always make em at home! I grate them which usually the hardest part, second only to standing at the stove frying them for the family. As they come out of the pan they go right to someones plate who is ready for the next "load". I always end up eating last.

Cooking them ahead of time and putting them in the oven to stay warm is not good. You loose all the "crispy" edges!

Butter, sour cream, apple sauce, ,,,

Don

RE: Potato pancakes! (ocdreamr)

Wed, 12 Nov 2003 09:38:29 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by EdSails

The only tip I can add to the recipes I've seen in this thread----I find it's nice to grate 2/3 of the potatoes but shred 1/3 of them-----just creates a different texture and actually seems to hold together better.

Ed,
This is similar to what I do. I shred my potatoes in the processor & remove a portion to the side, change the blade & add all the rest of the ingrediants to what is still in the processor & process until blended. I then stir this into the shredded potatoes on the side. As you say they hold together well & have more texture.

Ocdreamr

RE: Potato pancakes! (rumbelly)

Mon, 10 Nov 2003 19:08:39 GMT

Try the Swiss version named roesti.

Boil starchy potatoes till almosted cooked through, cool them in their jackets and peel while still warm. Grate them and add chopped onions, finely chopped bacon, fresh thyme and salt and pepper. Fry them in small non-stick pans or on a greasy griddle with BUTTER till brown and crispy. Enjoy these puppies with mixed meats like schnitzel, various forms of sausages, Kassler(smoked pork loin), double smoked bacon etc. Side it with kraut and copious quantities of beer. Believe me you get the bed to yourself.

Prosit!!

RE: Potato pancakes! (Hepcat)

Mon, 10 Nov 2003 17:05:26 GMT

Carlton!

Thanks for the tip! I may very well take a jaunt to Windsor sometime before next summer. I visit my sister in London, Ontario every couple of months and Windsor is only about 110 miles away!

What's interesting as well is that I visited Athens, Georgia for the rhythmic gymnastics competition of the 1996 Olympics!

RE: Potato pancakes! (Ort. Carlton.)

Fri, 07 Nov 2003 20:47:22 GMT

Hepcat,
It's not like you find yourself traipsing off to Windsor every whipstitch, but - if you are ever there, I found a place online while looking for information on Tunnel BBQ. It's called Polish Restaurant Piast, and it's at 1194 Wyandotte St. East, right near the tunnel exit. The people have quite a website at http://come.to/piast/ that you might want to check out. It appears to be a place with much heart, and she's got a potato pancake recipe that my friend Lauren at The Normaltown Cafe swears she's going to make me guinea pig for when she tries it out... not to mention dill pickle soup. Gracious, I gain weight just thinking about it all....
Ever-Slowly-Shrinkingly, Ort. Carlton in the Ever-Expanding Mindless Sprawl That Is Athens, Georgia.

RE: Potato pancakes! (Hepcat)

Fri, 07 Nov 2003 19:48:47 GMT

quote:
Thanks for the recipe. I will do it again!

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

RE: Potato pancakes! (Mayhaw Man)

Wed, 05 Nov 2003 21:53:26 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Hepcat

Here are the ingredients to the recipe for potato pancakes from a Lithuanian recipe book:

5-6 medium potatoes
1-2 eggs
1 tablespoon flour (optional)
1/2 grated onion (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
oil for frying

The recipe says to add the tablespoon of flour if fresh potatoes are used. Since I didn't know potatoes could be anything but fresh, I asked my cousin, who prides herself on her cooking, whether she puts flour in her potato pancake batter. Her reply was that she does when she's using moist potatoes. If she's using baking potatoes, which tend to be dry, then she doesn't use flour.

Squeezing out the excess water/starch through a cheesecloth is a trick used by all knowledgeable cooks though!

I used this recipe tonight. Served them with country ham and stilton omelettes (oh yeah, stinky cheese man strikes again!)

It worked like a champ. Just for the record I used new potatoes (just because I had a ton left over from shrimp boil last week) and squished out the water. Worked great.

Thanks for the recipe. I will do it again

RE: Potato pancakes! (Maynerd)

Wed, 05 Nov 2003 20:41:30 GMT

Heehee, I just had some beauties at Wurstfest in New Braunfels,Texas this past weekend. They serve them with a side of applesauce and a sausage if you like.Almost worth another 260 mile drive for me to go back for the last weekend of the Wurstfest. They always had a long line at their booth though.
They were grated and fried up on a grease soaked griddle. Yum!

RE: Potato pancakes! (Hepcat)

Wed, 05 Nov 2003 18:38:13 GMT

quote:
"I could only venture a guess, but I'd say because of this a lot of Europeans developed recipes for a flat fried potato cake." - Spadoman

That's precisely it! I take it that potatoes weren't introduced to Lithuania until the early part of the nineteenth century but immediately became a staple of the peasants' diet because they were cheap.

RE: Potato pancakes! (EdSails)

Wed, 05 Nov 2003 12:57:53 GMT

One of my absolute favorites. I make them Jewish style, as mentioned by clothier-----after having made them in 500 plus quantities for various Hanukah functions I guess I'm qualified to talk about them. The only tip I can add to the recipes I've seen in this thread----I find it's nice to grate 2/3 of the potatoes but shred 1/3 of them-----just creates a different texture and actually seems to hold together better. Sour cream and applesauce and I'm happy!

RE: Potato pancakes! (spadoman)

Wed, 05 Nov 2003 05:25:58 GMT

My family immigrated to America in the very early 1900's. My Grandfather on my Dad's side worked on the railroad with his brother and a few cousins who all came over from Italy at the same time.
They were poor, potatoes were cheap, they ate a lot of them.
I could only venture a guess, but I'd say because of this a lot of Europeans developed recipes for a flat fried potato cake.

I love the darn things. The smaller and finer I can chop the onion, the better. I also like to make a boatload of bacon and fry the cakes in the bacon fat. I serve em' with sour cream and applesauce.

RE: Potato pancakes! (Argent)

Tue, 04 Nov 2003 22:48:03 GMT

Dose anyone have any history on potato pancakes. As potatos are New world , I was wondering how they became more of a european tradition.