Happy Hanukkah

Every year I try my hand at potato latkes to help The Bride celebrate Hanukkah, and this was this year's from-scratch baked (rather than fried) attempt.  I filled the kitchen with smoke, but she declared them 'okay.'  I'll try harder next year.  Happy Hanukkah from French Fry Diary!

French Fry Diary 637: Hanukkah Latkes 2014

For several years now this well meaning Episcopal husband has tried to make potato latkes for his Jewish wife once a year for Hanukkah. Past attempts have not gone well. Sometimes I get it right, and sometimes it's an epic fail.

This time I tried a new tact. Armed with my new waffle maker purchased earlier in the year that has become my favorite way to make tater tots, I tried to use it for potato latkes.

Taking a mixture of grated potatoes, chopped onions, an egg or two, and a variety of spices, I dropped it on the waffle maker and went to town. Not too shabby, The Bride gave them and me a letter grade of B+. Happy Hanukkah.

Random Tater Pic of the Day #123

Here's this year's Hanukkah attempt to make homemade latkes for The Bride. It didn't hold together, making it basically just breakfast potatoes. Maybe next year...

"Latkes" by Sam Glaser

For more Jewish rock and roll from Sam Glaser, check him out here, and on YouTube.

Happy Hanukkah!

Potato-Turnip Latkes Fried in Duck Fat

This one comes from Chow.com just in time for Hanukkah. You can check out the recipe right here.

French Fry Diary 540: The Potato Knish Shortage

Folks shopping early for Hanukkah may have noticing a serious problem in their expeditions. There is a nationwide potato knish shortage. Yes, I'm serious.

Due to a September fire at the Gabila's Knishes Factory, the number one supplier of potato knishes in the country, there is a shortage. The machinery used to make them was damaged, thus creating the problem. Otherwise, Gabila's makes and sells more knishes worldwide (so far, well over a billion) than any other company.



According to a Facebook message from the company promises to have the famous square knishes back in stores just in time for the upcoming Thanksgivukkah. Let's hope so!

French Fry Diary 539: Get Atomic at Cool Dog Café

You get LOTS more fries and rings than pictured here, but we were sharing.

The Atomic BBQ Sauce is one of three new sauces at the Cool Dog Café in Cherry Hill, along with TNT Mustard and Garlic Aioli, mmm. We had a friend visiting who had wanted to try Cool Dog because she'd heard so much about it, so what better time to go?

I ordered my regular, The Bride got hers, (isn't it great to have a local place with such good food where we can have 'regulars?') and our friend, who's a chef, caterer, and foodie herself actually got two different dogs, and the onion rings. She was very well impressed and would definitely be back.

With my required order of Cool Dog's award winning fresh cut fries, I also got an order of the Atomic BBQ sauce. It was sweet, but hot with a little bit of a kick, I loved it. The sauce was great for dipping, it was good on the fries, and the rings, and even on the dog (hint hint, if you're looking for ideas for future dogs, this is it).

And of course, the big news - is that the Hanukkah Dog will be returning to Cool Dog Cafe the week of Thanksgiving/Hanukkah, so get your appetites ready now!

French Fry Diary 451: The Hanukkah Dog at Home

As I mentioned in an earlier blog entry, my mother-in-law got the very last Hanukkah Dog from the Cool Dog Cafe on the last night of Hanukkah this year. She really enjoyed it, and although we love her a lot, we were really jealous watching her eat the very last one.

Mom was so thrilled with Cool Dog's holiday special that she was telling everyone about it, and everyone was equally enthused about it. While we have all vowed to get to the Cool Dog Café earlier next year, we also determined to make our own when the family got together at Christmas.

So here is the homemade Hanukkah Dog. Makeshift and without the sautéed onions, Mom made a few of these on Christmas Eve night. I had two myself, and they were very good. Not that fries on a dog are an unknown quantity, Gene and Jude's in Chicago are famous for it, but I am ashamed to admit that this was my first time. It won't be my last. Thanks, Mom, and thanks to Cool Dog Café for the inspiration.

French Fry Diary 448: Cool Dog Cafe 2012

I went by my favorite hot dog place, the Cool Dog Café in Marlton, the other day, on the last night of the Festival of Lights. It was just me, The Bride, and her dad, and we were there for their seasonal specialty, the Hanukkah Dog.

Now special hot dogs at Cool Dog are nothing new. Ira and company usually come up with something new and spectacular every week or so, but this was something extra special, only available during the holiday. Last year they offered those terrific Hanukkah Sliders, if you remember. The Hanukkah Dog is a kosher hot dog (of course!) on a roll with sautéed onions and potato latkes - and that last bit is why you're reading about it here on French Fry Diary.

Also lately Cool Dog has been serving crinkle cut French fries as the base of several variations of specials. While we were there, I tried out a plain order. They are deep fried frozen crinkle cuts, but done perfectly. Pretty simple compared to the process done for Cool Dog's near perfect fresh cut fries, but still cooked with the same care. They were great.

The Hanukkah Dog however was another story. There was only one left. We made the ultimate sacrifice and ordered it to go for The Bride's mom who stayed home, while we ordered different choices from Cool Dog's amazing menu. Dinner was well worth it, and we made a great choice - Mom loved her hot dog, the final Haukkah Dog of the season.

And don't forget to get over to Cool Dog Cafe on Friday, 12-21-2012, for the Mayan End of the World Special - 20% off all hot dogs. What better last meal than hot dogs, right? And don't forget the fries!

Random Tater Pic of the Day #72

From last night's second night of Chanukkah, at my in-laws. McCain provided my mom-in-law with the potato pancakes for latkes, but the presentation is all hers. A nice evening with The Bride and her parents. Happy Chanukkah to everyone out there who celebrates!

French Fry Diary 318: Hanukkah for Christmas

Now while I spent the morning with my family celebrating Christmas, the bulk of Christmas Day was spent with The Bride's family celebrating Hanukkah, and also doing the usual - movies and Chinese food.

Most of the family went to see Chipwrecked, that the nephew was dying to see, while the brother-in-law and I preferred the solace of an action flick. After seeing some of, and sleeping through most of, Mission Impossible, we went back to the house to relax for a while, feeling that perhaps Alvin is a better leading man than Tom Cruise. All was calm and quiet until the nephew wanted latkes, so my ears and stomach perked up - potato products.

While not made from scratch, these potato pancakes from Old Fashioned Kitchen were still very good, crispy, and tasty. She served a bowl of applesauce on the side, the whole package completely blowing away my futile attempts as the non-Jewish husband to make the same meal unsuccessfully twice last week for Hanukkah for The Bride.

Despite the mother-in-law's claims to the contrary, she is a terrific cook. She actually cooked one of the best meals I have ever had, a wonderful steak dinner a few years back. Whether it's a fancy three-course meal or a simple plate of latkes, she rocks. Just look at that presentation! Thanks, Mom!

Another Potato Latkes Recipe

These thin onion and potato pancakes make a tasty accompaniment to any meal. The key to their crispiness is draining all the liquid from the grated potatoes and onion before frying.

12 Servings
Prep: 20 min.
Cook: 20 min.

Ingredients:

2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled
1 medium onion
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Oil for deep-fat frying
Applesauce

Directions:

Coarsely grate potatoes and onion; drain any liquid. Place in a bowl; add green onions, egg, salt and pepper. In an electric skillet, heat 1/8 in. of oil to 375°. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls into hot oil. Flatten to form patties. Fry until golden brown; turn and cook the other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with applesauce. Yield: 2 dozen.

Originally published as Latkes in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2001, p. 243

French Fry Diary 315: Cool Dog Café's Hanukkah Sliders

The staff shirts at Cool Dog Cafe say "traditional food. fresh ideas. cool." Ira and the folks there have a tradition of amazing specials and this holiday week is no exception.

Presenting the Hanukkah Sliders. I was lucky enough on Christmas Eve today for lunch to partake in the last day of these beauties, but don't worry, they will be back maybe for Passover and definitely next Hanukkah. The Hanukkah Sliders are the regular wonderful sliders they usually have at Cool Dog but with an added holiday twist - a potato latke and apple sauce on top. Mmmm…

Now as someone who just this week tried quite badly to make potato latkes from scratch this week for The Bride, I gotta tell you, not only were these latkes were made right and were delicious. Highly recommended, I'm just sorry I was too late to tell folks about them.

Still come down to Cool Dog Café though, the specials are always changing and always refreshingly different, and don't forget to order some of the best fries in the area.

From Hanukkah to Christmas, French Fry Diary hopes everyone has a Happy Holiday this weekend.

Potato Latkes for Hanukkah: Two Different Recipes

This recipe is from BarbH at the [just-potatoes] Yahoo! Group:

This was her Great Grandmother's recipe

Potato Latkes (Pancakes)

INGREDIENTS

2 cups grated raw potatoes rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon matzo meal ground
2 eggs beaten
pinch of baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 small onion grated

INSTRUCTIONS: Mix well, drop by the tablespoon on hot greased skillet (rendered chicken fat is traditional) . Flatten, when browned turn and brown to golden.

And the above picture is from the wonderful "The Delicious Life" blog and its terrific 2009 entry Basic Potato Latkes Recipe for Hanukkah – My Inner Jew Wants Out, which features another wonderful recipe for this holiday treat.