Latke Update on the classic: A latke with a surprise in the middle.

Update on the classic: A latke with a surprise in the middle. Try salmon and green goddess, pulled brisket and BBQ sauce, cheese and marinara sauce or apples and sour cream.

By: Shifra Klein – Joy of Kosher Magazine 

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A latke with a surprise in the middle is a great way to update the classic Chanukah dish. Be creative and stuff latkes with anything you have on hand. Maybe even use it as a way to get your kids to eat their veggies by adding peas, broccoli, tomatoes, zucchini, or spinach.

Start with my favorite Basic Latke Recipe.

Ingredients
5 Idaho potatoes
1 Spanish onion
2 eggs beaten
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons of flour (optional)*
Oil for frying
Latke Stuffing of Choice see below

Directions
1 Grate the potatoes and onion using a food processor or hand grater. Add eggs, salt and pepper to mixture. Then add flour (optional)*.
2 In a large frying pan, heat ½ inch oil on medium/high heat. It is important to make sure that the oil is hot enough to crisp up the potatoes but not too hot that the potatoes will burn.
3 Place a heaping spoonful of latke mix into the pan. The latkes should sizzle and crisp up quickly.
4 Once latke gets crisp, place filling inside (choose filling below).
5 Top with another spoonful of latke mix on top of filling and make sure that the potato mix on top of the filling completely covers the filling.
6 Flip over and fry for about a minute.
7 Drain on paper towels. Serve hot.

Then choose your filling:

Salmon and Green Goddess Stuffed Latkes
The crispy potato latke, with the smooth fresh taste of salmon makes for a great combination. Green goddess dressing, a mixture of herbs and sour cream, adds color and flavor to this impressive latke.

Ingredients
Favorite Latke Recipe
1 6-ounce salmon fillet thinly sliced
1 6-ounce package of baby spinach
1 cup basil
½ cup fresh dill, stems removed
½ cup fresh parsley, stems removed
1 cup sour cream or yogurt (use pareve sour cream or soy yogurt for meat meals)
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup lemon juice
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
1 Start with your favorite latke recipe, In a large frying pan heat about ½ inch of oil on medium/high heat.
2 Place a heaping spoonful of latke mix into pan.
3 Place a slice of salmon into latke mix.
4 Top with another spoonful of latke mix.
5 Flip over and fry for one minute.
6 Serve hot with green goddess dressing.
To make the green goddess dressing; blend spinach, basil, dill, parsley, sour cream or yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Place in container until ready to serve.

Pulled Brisket + BBQ Sauce Stuffed Latkes
This combination tastes similar to a pulled beef sandwich; the ultimate latke for any meat and potato lover.

Ingredients
Favorite Latke Recipe
1 cup leftover brisket, shredded with a fork
1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce

Directions
1 Place a spoonful of latke mix in hot frying pan with oil.
2 Place shredded brisket or roast on latke mix.
3 Drizzle with teaspoon of BBQ sauce.
4 Top with another spoonful of latke mix.
5 Flip over and fry for another minute.

Mushroom and Sour Cream Stuffed Latkes
The earthiness of the potatoes and mushrooms make for a rustic and classic flavor combination. The sour cream adds richness to the latke.

Ingredients
Basic Latke Recipe
1 shallot
1 package of cremini mushrooms
4 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup sour cream

Directions
1 Sauté shallot in 2 tablespoons of oil until translucent. Add mushrooms and thyme and sauté for five minutes; add salt and pepper to taste.
2 Proceed to make latkes in basic latke recipe.
3 Place a big spoonful of latke mix in hot frying pan with oil.
4 Place a small spoonful of mushroom mix on latke mix.
5 Top with another spoonful of latke mix.
6 Flip over and fry for another minute
7 Serve with sour cream.

Cheese and Marinara Sauce Stuffed Latke
Our version of mozzarella sticks…latke style. A gooey, cheesy center with a hint of basil surrounded by crispy potatoes is a spectacular Chanukah treat.

Ingredients
favorite latke recipe
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 fresh basil leaves (optional)
1 jar favorite marinara sauce

Directions
1 Place a spoonful of latke mix into hot pan with oil.
2 Place a basil leaf on latke.
3 Place a bit less than a tablespoon of mozzarella on top of basil leaf.
4 Top with latke mix.
5 Serve hot with marinara sauce on the side.

Apples and Sour Cream Stuffed Latkes
Inspired by the classic latke with apple sauce on the side, this latke takes on the flavors of an apple fritter.

Ingredients
Basic Latke Recipe
2 granny smith apples
1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions
1 Shred granny smith apples. Sauté apples with butter until softened.
2 Proceed according to directions in basic latke recipe.
3 Mix sour cream with cinnamon and sugar. Cool until ready to serve.
4 Serve with sour cream cinnamon topping.