Reibekuchen
These classic German potato pancakes are delicious served with applesauce for a sweet option, or topped with sour cream, chives and fresh ground pepper for a more savory taste.
Ingredients:
1 pound of potatoes
1 small onion
3 tablespoons flour
1 medium-sized egg
Sea salt
Pinch of pepper (if you want savory pancakes)
Neutral oil for frying
Method:
1. Wash and peel the potatoes, and peel the onion. Grate the potatoes into a bowl using a cheese grater, or food processor fitted with a grating blade. (If there is excess water in the potatoes, drain some of the potato water. Also grate the onion.
2. Add a healthy pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper if you want the pancakes savory, flour, and the egg. Mix everything together until the batter is well mixed.
3. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan and add two tablespoons of batter per pancake. Make sure the pancake is not too thick or too large to ensure proper cooking. You probably won’t be able to fit more than 2-4 pancakes into your pan at the same time.
4. Cook the pancakes until both sides are golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side, then remove them from the pan and allow to drain on a paper towel or similar to allow the oil to absorb. (You can then put the pancakes in the preheated oven to keep them warm.) Repeat the process with the rest of the batter, adding more oil as needed, and serve immediately with your preferred toppings.
Sautéed Fall Orchard Fruit
Kissed with fragrant cinnamon and brown sugar, these are sublime on waffles, pancakes or crêpes.
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 pears, peeled, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
Pinch of cinnamon
Method:
1. In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the fruit slices and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned in spots, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the sugar and cinnamon, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is softened and lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes longer. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Potato-Leek Galette
A fantastic Thanksgiving appetizer or side!
Ingredients:
F&L galette dough
¾ pound fingerling potatoes, or other waxy potato of your choice
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
3 leeks, white and pale green part only, halved lengthwise
¼ cup water
¾ cup crème fraîche
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
½ cup Comté or Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated
2 ounces thinly-sliced pancetta
Method:
1. Slice potatoes almost paper thin and soak in a bowl of well-salted warm water at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
2. Rinse leeks well. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook leeks, cut sides down, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Turn leeks over and add water, season with salt and pepper then gently simmer, covered, just until leeks are tender, about 15 minutes. Cool.
3. Preheat oven to 400°. Drain potatoes and squeeze in handfuls, squeezing out water. Toss with remaining oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 x 16 inches. Dough should be about ⅛-inch thick. Slide onto a cookie sheet. Chill briefly if very soft.
5. Spread dough with crème fraîche leaving a 2-inch border all around. Season with salt and pepper and scatter with half of cheese then potatoes, leeks, pancetta, and remaining cheese. Fold border up and over and brush with butter or olive oil. Bake until tart is golden brown, about 40 minutes.
