Latkes! December 15, 2010

Latkes are most commonly understood as shallow-fried potato pancakes – typically made with grated potatoes and onions and bound with eggs – that have come to be the most popular symbolic dish for Hanukah, the Jewish festival of lights: as latkes are fried in oil, they symbolize the Hanukah miracle of the oil that lasted 8 days when the Jews recaptured the Holy Temple in 165 BC. While we may be familiar with the classic dish and story, however, latkes or fried pancakes are ubiquitous amongst cultures of the world (most commonly associated with the cuisines of Luxembourg, Lithuania, Austria, Belarus, Germany, Poland and Ukraine), and depending on local crops, can even be made with beets, corn, or eggplant! In this class, along with a nod to traditional latkes, we’ll revamp the classic by infusing fresh herbs and some delicious new vegetables. More than just a celebratory symbol, latkes have become a means for experimentation – from traditional to modern, sweet to savory, breakfast recipes to dessert (and each accompanied by their unique herbalized sauces) – and here at Ger-Nis, we’re excited to take your pallets on an herbaceous latke ride!

Recipes:Classic Potato Latkes with Garlic Chive Sour Cream; Rosemary Potato Latkes with Rosemary Apple Chutney; Carrot Cilantro Ginger Latkes with Lemongrass Chili Mint Yogurt; Middle Eastern Spiced Sweet Potato Herb Latkes with Curry Mint Sour Cream; Spicy Moroccan Cauliflower Latke with Preserved Lemons and Mint Marmalade; Peruvian Blue Potato Latkes

Official Website: http://culinaryherbcenter.ger-nis.com/2010/09/07/latkes/