Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraiche, and Caviar – or “How to Spoil Someone Rotten”


You may remember I said last week that while I’m recuperating Meakin was spoiling me rotten. Well, this is what “spoiled rotten” looks like.

Here my loving husband turned the simple potato latke into a decadent treat topped with smoked salmon, crème fraiche, and caviar. Latkes can also be served with applesauce or plain with a salad for lunch. Feel free to substitute sour cream for the crème fraiche if you can’t find it in your market. Or better yet, make your own with this super simple recipe using heavy whipping cream and buttermilk.

Warning. This is a very rich dish, so try not to overindulge. While I can’t claim it’s diet food, the good news is that the latkes are baked, not fried in oil as most recipes call for. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how crisp the latkes are. If you like to do some of the work in advance, the latkes can be prepared ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator overnight and simply reheated in the oven the next day.

“Spoiled rotten” just got a whole lot easier.


Potato Latkes
Adapted from Eating Well

3 teaspoons neutral tasting oil, such as canola
2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled
¾ cup finely chopped red onion (1 medium)
¼ cup all-purpose white flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 large egg white, lightly beaten

Set oven racks at middle and lower positions. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Prepare 2 baking sheets by brushing each sheet with 1 teaspoon of the oil.

Using a shredding blade of a food processor or a hand grater, grate the potatoes. Place in a large bowl and add the onions, flour, salt, and pepper. Toss with clean hands to mix well. Add the egg, egg white, and the remaining 1 teaspoon oil, and toss again to mix.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture onto the prepared baking sheets and press lightly to form cakes. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom. Turn the latkes over, switch the position of the baking sheets, and bake for about 5 minutes longer, or until golden brown.

Transfer the latkes to a platter, arranging brown side up, and serve. Makes about 24 latkes. Top as desired, or serve plain. Latkes may be prepared ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.


Join me later in the week at Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum, Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound, and On the Menu Monday at Stone Gable, where I will link this recipe.

57 comments:

  1. They look delicious and Sam, you deserve to be spoiled rotten! I will be giving this recipe to my husband immediately!

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  2. These do look spoil-you worthy! That is so special. I like that they are baked, I end up making many fried things in the oven. My husband made me a grilled cheese once when I was recouperating :) You're lucky...

    Take care now,
    Lyndsey

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  3. What a fantastic treat. That Meakin is a keeper!

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  4. Meakin is definitely taking such good care of you Sam! I do not have caviar in my cupboard, but I do have everything else to spoil myself.

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  5. Good to see you back at the computer, take it easy though and do not do too much. This recipe looks fantastic, what a way to be spoiled. Take care Diane

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  6. I love latkes and I love that these are baked and not fried. They look amazing and spoil worthy indeed. Loving the creme fraiche on top

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  7. What a sweetheart he is:) Love attentions like this.

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  8. Oh my! So that's what it looks like being spoiled rotten! They look delicious.

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  9. How very nice -- fancy comfort food!
    I love that the latkes are fried, not baked.

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  10. Those latkes look amazing! What a mouthwatering combination. Yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  11. Yum. This will be lunch soon, chez nous. Will make those peppers, too. Great site!

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  12. I am liking "spoiled rotten"!! We frequently enjoy latkes for Sunday supper. You must have noticed that I "followed" you. I don't know what happened because I've been a long-time "follower". Several of my favorite blog sites have dropped off my list. There are also several that when I visit, I can't comment and my computer freezes. Very frustrating!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  13. Oh, these look marvelous!!! Both beautiful and delicious!

    And I have to tell you that I got a visit from the Fairy Hobmother after posting on your site last week :) SO fun...thank you!!!!

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  14. o boy those look scrumptious! They are so much like German Reibekuchen. Yummy!

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  15. It is so nice to have a guy who can cook; I am also lucky that way. I haven't made Latkes in years; these look quite tempting with that smoked salmon; great post.
    Rita

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  16. I'm gonna do these....I think they must be fantastic!!Hugs, Flavia

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  17. I'm gonna do these....I think they must be fantastic!!Hugs, Flavia

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  18. Of course they weren't latkes, but my German grandmother made some potato pancakes we adored. The only difference being: no onions. We poured syrup over ours. (Can you imagine? And she fried them. Talk about fattening!)

    Meakin surely came up with a winner here...not only my favorite potato pancakes, but topped with heavenly salmon and creme fraiche. Oh my. You ARE being spoiled.
    But deservedly, my dear friend! Hope your back is better every day. Be careful not to do too much and find yourself right back at the beginning. (This advice is one of those do as I say, not as I do things. Because I've been there and done that!)

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  19. Wow, what a treat! How wonderfully indulgent. Hope you are continuing to feel better. :)

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  20. Shazam - that man is taking good care of you. My backs been bothering me, can I come over and pile up on the couch with you and get served food like this? I keep saying I'm going to make latke's but then never do. Did I mention my backs been bothering me.

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  21. Sam I didn't know you were down, hope it's nothing serious. Love Eating Well Mag, but missed this recipe, it looks great!

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  22. These are beautiful and look so delicious. I like baked food more than fried. Mom and I are trying to eat more baked foods. This is a delicious posting!

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  23. Don't knock it. This sure beats cream of wheat! Hope you're feeling better, Sam. With this kind of treatment, I'll bet you'll be up and around in no time.

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  24. Hi Sam, nice to meet you! I am sorry to hear you have such chronic back pain. Everyone we know, including us, has back problems, and it is hard to live with. Your food pictures are all so beautiful! And I never thought of baking latkes, what a lot of trouble and mess that saves!

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  25. Ok Lady - now I am officially jealous!!! So glad you are being taken care of so well. I hope you feel better everyday!
    Lara

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  26. Looks like the perfect party hors d'oeuvre. Meakin is a good man!

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  27. I love latkes so much I would happily eat them by themselves, but this topping sounds like a decadent treat. I've never tried baking them, but will have to after your recommendation. Thanks!

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  28. Who said over indulgence is a bad thing? Mouth watering is another word. best wishes, Therese

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  29. I sometimes wonder if I would starve to death if I had to depend on someone else to fix my meals. You are so fortunate to have someone who knows how to cook, and looks like can cook well!! I love Latkes and these look delicious. Course, I will have to make them myself. Get well soon.

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  30. How sweet of your husband...I love potato latkes, but never had it served this way...looks delicious, and totally addictive.
    Hope you feel better Sam :-)

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  31. Your food presentation is magazine worthy, you know that, right?

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  32. Cheers to your husband This rocks! Its really a good feeling to be spoiled rotten.

    Velva

    P.S. Sam, would you mind if I used your Sweet Bell Peppers With Vinegar and Oregano photo for my Wordless Wednesday post?

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  33. This would make anyone feel better! and perfect for Rosh Hashanah!
    Had no idea you were feeling so bad, I am sorry.
    The Latkes will surely help and maybe some chicken soup!
    xo

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  34. Oh my goodness, Sam, these latkes look so decandent and wonderful! Your husband is a good man to make these for you!

    Feel better soon!

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  35. These look perfect dear Sam! beauty! hope you feel better, gloria

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  36. Okay, I think that I could track you down and steal that Meakin for a few days! Spoiled, indeed! You certainly deserve it, and how wonderful that he spoils you in such a divine manner!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  37. Oh my! These had to be divine. I love all of the ingredients.

    I'm glad Meakin is taking such good care of you. He loves you well.

    And, aha! The smoked salmon is "pink".♥

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  38. After looking at this post, I'm thinking you should plan to recuperate for a long, long time! :)

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  39. wow looks amazing and you so deserve to be spoiled

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  40. What I wouldn't give to have some of those left overs.

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  41. Hi Sam, These potato latkes do sound like they would spoil me rotten!! They sound terrific! Have a wonderful and blessed weekend. Catherine

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  42. Hello dear Sam!
    Your lätkes look outstanding! You said that you didn't were up to cook anything because of your chronic pains but you did a wonderful job here!

    Delightful treats! :)

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  43. Well, first of all, I missed that post (just went back and read it)...and I really, really hope that you have a speedy recovery. Back pain is SO debilitating. What a wonderful man you have to spoil you with these rich little bites. You totally deserve it. Thinking of you and sending healing thoughts your way, Sam :)

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  44. Love this recipe,,very impressive. For me I'd garnish with fresh dill as I do NOT eat caviar..Love all your recipes posted!
    thank you for sharing!

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  45. I love Saturdays, lots of Pinktastic stuff to see. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pink!

    Hope you can come by and see my pink also. Have a great week weekend!

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  46. I see that Meakin is taking good care of you. Take two latkes and call me in the morning :)

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  47. It's wonderful to be spoilt rotten once in a while - and your husband certainly does it in style! wonderful recipe and lovely photos. I'm signing up to follow you!
    Mary

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  48. Oh my, Meakin! You set a high standard for husbands everywhere.

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  49. Hope you are feeling better Sam. Meakin is a keeper, even after all of these years.

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  50. You lucky, lucky lady! These look beautiful and delicious. I love the idea of a baked latke too.

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  51. I'm saving this for my husband. Think he'll get the hint? I live with back pain on and off - and there's no escape - no comfortable position. But these celebratory latkes would help!

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  52. Baked latkes? I am on this! What a wonderful, elegant and delicious treat for someone who so obviously deserves to be pampered and spoiled! Hope you are better!! xo

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  53. Yummy and superb dish you shared with us. I will make it on this weekend. My sister make it same way, which you shared here. She added so much fried onion at the starting.

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  54. Am happy to be catching up on my reading and your recipes look fabulous. These potato latkes are on my to do list. Our season is over so more time to cook!!

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  55. Ooh Sam! These bruschetta's are real winners! I had a lot of peppers left & made these georgous & tasty appetizers! All of my friends loved them so much!

    MMMMMMM,...I hope you are recuperating!

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  56. Incredible and Delicious Presentation..I appreciate you sam..Really its looking like flowers..Such as delicious presentation of dishes makes everyone hungry..everyone knows that caviar's role as the premier delicacy of kings, emperors, and other heads of state stretches all the way back to the Persian Empire and the "Cake of Power" days of the delectable Sturgeon Roe. It's hard to come by, even harder to pay for, and what many people might not realize, hard to prepare and serve.

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