Perfect Potato Pancakes

4 large potatoes (about 3 lbs)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

½ cup flour

½ cup finely diced onion

1 tsp salt

⅛ tsp pepper

Oil for frying

Maple syrup or applesauce

Peel and shed potatoes. Place in bowl of cold water. Line a colander with cheesecloth or paper towels (can use a thin flour sack dish towel). Drain potatoes and put into colander. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, eggs, flour, onion, salt and pepper. 

In an electric skillet, heat ¼" of oil over medium heat. Drop batter by ¼ cupfuls into oil, about 3" apart. Press lightly to flatten. Fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining batter. Keep prepared pancakes warm in a low heat oven until serving.

Top with maple syrup or applesauce. 

Makes about 16 pancakes.

 

Savory French Bread Slices

This is a Taste of Home recipe, and it's a keeper.

½ cup butter, softened

¼ tsp celery seed

¼ tsp paprika

1 loaf (20 inches) French bread, sliced

Combine butter, celery seed, and paprika. Spread between bread slices and over top. Wrap bread tightly in foil. Bake 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Open foil and bake another 5 minutes.

Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Nancy fixed these for one of their famous Sunday Night Suppers, and I could have downed the whole pan myself.  So yummy!

1½ lbs petite red potatoes, washed and quartered

2 Tbs olive oil 

1½ tsp salt

½ tsp ancho chili powder

½ tsp dried oregano

¼ tsp coriander  

¼ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper

½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

4 Tbs finely chopped cilantro

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, chili powder, oregano, coriander, garlic  powder, black pepper, and cayenne. Add the potatoes and toss to completely coat with spices. Transfer to baking sheet, being careful not to overcrowd. Use two baking sheets if necessary, because they need plenty of room to breathe for browning.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, flip the potatoes over and bake another 20 minutes, until crispy.

Sprinkle with cilantro, more salt if desired, and serve.