I was raised in a Jewish home in New Jersey, where I learned very little about cooking. I spent my 20’s living and working at the San Francisco Zen Center, and several of those years working and then managing the kitchen at Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center. This is where I first learned to cook potato latkes. (My mother would be proud.)
There is much I enjoy about celebrating Hanukkah – expressing gratitude, being with family, lighting candles, singing, and — making, sharing, and eating these latkes.
Here is the “recipe” I use to make about 10 – 12 latkes, enough for four people.
- 4 medium potatoes – grate (then squeeze out excess liquid)
- 1 medium onion – grate in with the potatoes
- ½ cup matzo meal
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp salt
- More salt and pepper to taste
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet.
Cook until brown and crispy on both sides.
Serve with sour cream and apple sauce.
re: "May all beings be happy"
With no disrespect intended (and I sincerely mean that) are we not forgetting about the happiness of the beings from which the eggs and sour cream came from when we use this recipe? Its very possible that you are not aware (as I was not until not too long ago) that the egg and dairy industries are among the most horrible ever to exist in terms of treatment of sentient creatures. Unfortunately, free-range and cage-free are unregulated terms and actually do not improve conditions significantly and cause just as much suffering (see http://www.humanemyth.org ). And finally, more than 99% of animal products in this country come from factory farms. If it was even possible to find eggs and milk from "humane farms" I would question whether raising an animal only to exploit and slaughter it could ever be humane.
As a buddhist practicing jew, i do love me some latkes! But i'd love them to be vegan. I know that we can't ever provide for the happiness of all beings. But there's no reason why we can't try! Especially when it comes to choices that are well within our reach.
With utmost respect towards you,
Eric
Marc, use more eggs and sour cream.