Chef Nir’s Potato Latkes with Beef Bacon Bits with Mole Dipping Sauce and Roasted Jalapeno Dipping Sauce

INGREDIENTs for Potato lAtkes

1.5 pounds Russet potatoes (3 to 4 potatoes)

1 small to medium yellow onion,

1 large egg

2 tablespoons matzo meal 1 teaspoon

kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1-1/2 cups canola oil or high heat resistant oil for frying or enough to have 1/2 inch to ¾ of oil in skillet. Depending on size of skillet

4 oz of fried and chopped crispy beef bacon from (thebaconguys) optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. For the Potatoes. Scrub the potatoes well, but do not peel. Cut each potato in half crosswise.
2. Grate potatoes and onion with a food processor or by hand. Grate the potatoes and onion using the shredding disk of a food processor or on grater if by hand. (You can add, Yams, or raw golden beets to add nice color or flavor).
3. Put potatoes and onions in fine strainer or cheesecloth and squeeze liquid from potato and onion as much as possible, the secret to crispy If not using the potatoes, after shredding place in bowl of water so the potatoes don’t turn color.
4. When ready to use, discard the liquid and keep the potato starch on the bottom of the bowl. Give the liquid a few minutes to allow the potato starch to settle and then pour out liquid.
5. Pre Heat Pan with oil.
6. Now when ready, mix and toss all ingredients together with your fingers gently. Do not use a spoon, that will mash the potatoes. Add the potatoes, onion, eggs, crispy beef bacon, matzo meal, salt, and pepper to the bowl and use the starch as a binder. Mix the starch with your fingers, making sure that the starch breaks up and is evenly distributed with the rest of the ingredients.

7. Now that the oil should be hot, keep flame on medium-high heat and to test the oil, drop a piece of the mixture in hot oil and wait for it to sizzle and float to the top. If that happens, you are ready to start.
8. Form latkes one at a time and scoop it in a large soup spoon, about a ¼ of a cup of mixture at a time and press with your hands that it is flat.
9. Fry the latkes until golden on both sides.  Repeat until the pan is full but the latkes aren’t crowded in the skillet. Put them in slowly, since this will reduce the heat of the oil. Try to use the thickest skillet you have. Helps to maintain heat. Cook until deeply golden-brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side, adjusting the heat if necessary.
10. Drain the latkes on paper towel or wire cooling rack. The wire rack helps the latkes to cool faster, drain better, and when reheating on wire rack, latkes are crispier.
11. Serve the latkes with the Mole dipping sauce or Roasted Jalapeno.

Roasted Jalapeno Lime Dipping Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 4 jalapenos roasted, halved (remove the seeds)
• 2 cups cilantro, stems removed
• 1/2 cup sour cream parve or dairy
• ¼ cup Mayo
• 1 tbs. chopped garlic
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 1 oz Shot of fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine jalapenos, cilantro, sour cream, mayo, garlic, lime juice, lime zest and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Now turn on, to puree and slowly pour oil until sauce emulsifies.

Chef’s Nir Mole Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• I2 Tbs Olive Oil
• 1 Chopped menium Spanish Onion
• 2 Tbs Chopped Garlic
• 1-2 Chipotle Peppers with the Adobe Sauce ( taste before adding the second pepepr
• 2 Tbs Adobe Sauce from the can
• 1 x 16oz Diced or Whole tomato in its own juice
• 3 Tsp onion powder
• 2 Cups of chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 2 Tsp Chili powder
• ½ Tsp Coriander
• ½ Tsp ground cinammon
• 1 Tsp Paprika (smoked)
• 1 pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tsp Sea salt
• 1 tsp of fresh cracked pepper ( fine ground) – not course.
• 3 oz Dark Chocolate

Instructions:

1. Place a pot over medium heat and add the olive oil
2. Add the diced onion and garlic and sauté until the onions reach a golden color.
3. Now add the adobe sauce and add the chipotle pepper one at a time mushing it with the spoon and the tomatoes Cook on high heat for a 5 min or to a quick boil, then reduce to a low or simmer heat.
4. Now pour in the rest of the ingredients slowly and let cook for 15-20 min mixing with a mix, let the chocolate melt well.
5. Once fully melted and all the ingredients are fully mixed, carefully pour the mixture into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
6. Now eturn the mixture to the pot over medium heat and Cook to reduce the Mole for 15 -25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Now the Mole is ready to dip our Latkes. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro, or sprinkle with white sesame on mole dip.

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