Mexican Potato Latkes

Happy almost Hanukkah (Chanukah, Hanukah, whatever)! Anything on your wish list from Hanukkah Harry or Santa? I really want one of these this year. And one of these too. And maybe one of these. But I actually already got one thing on my list- I must have been really good this year! What’s that you say? Jews don’t have a naughty and nice list? Hmmm. There goes that theory. Well either way here is my first night’s present in advance- my very own WJWE business cards- it’s business time!

Jew likey? I’m a fan. First thing I did when they came in the mail, of course, was make it rain WJWE style and then swan dive into pile of WJWE cards. It. Was. Glorious. Then I picked up my mess and made some latkes- and you thought I wasn’t good this year!

Now that I live in Texas, I am pretty heavily influenced by tasty Texan foodie delights such as queso, brisket, breakfast tacos, and of course queso. Mmm queso. So when I thought about how to jazz up the traditional latke, I immediately thought Mexican. Besides my residence close to the border, my former roommate back in NYC is half Jewish and half Mexican and she turned out pretty amazing, so surely it could work for a latke! An idea was born. Though there is no queso in sight, there is not a chance these babies will last even one round of dreidel come Hanukkah time. Need a dessert to go with your fried potatoes? I’m glad you asked! I have a super awesome Hanukkah inspired dessert or two coming up in the next weeks. Can’t wait to share!

Here is all you need for your own Mexican latkes. And check out a bit of our new apartment! (Well one white wall at least.) Should my beloved Luke Perry poster go on this wall perhaps?

I made an avocado cream and cilantro Greek yogurt as toppings too! First up, the most annoying part of latke making- the grating. Peel your potatoes and grate into a bowl. Last year I used a food processor, this year grater. I think I need a bigger grater.

While you are on a break from grating, cook up your corn. Just put the corn in cold water and bring to a boil, making sure the water covers the corn enough but not so much it will boil over. When the water boils, your corn is done- magic!

After all your potatoes are grated, squeeze excess water out with cheesecloth. This is very important or your latkes will be mushy and you will ruin Hanukkah! Well maybe not ruin, but pretty close.

Then mix together with minced garlic and diced jalapeno and onions, corn, flour, eggs and salt. I used red jalapeno because it was a new find for me in our local market. You can use green- they are actually the same thing, but red are more ripe (just like bell peppers!) and therefore harder to find sometimes. Red ones are also less spicy. You learned something today!

Now heat up your oil in a pan- I used vegetable oil. Make sure your oil is super hot- this is essential for a crispy latke! Put spoonfuls of latke batter into the oil and squish a bit with your spatula. Flip once after they get all brown and tasty looking.

Man oh man. While your latkes are cooking, you can make the avocado cream sauce (inspired by one of my coworkers). Combine one large avocado, a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or sour cream, salt, pepper, minced garlic, and enough milk to get the consistency you want. Again, I like to use Greek yogurt because of the added protein and clearly the healthiness of this product negates eating deep fried potatoes.

Before you know it, there will be latkes abound! Make sure to blot them off on a paper towel to remove excess oil before serving.

Serve with avocado cream, cilantro Greek yogurt (just mix chopped cilantro into Greek yogurt or sour cream), diced tomatoes and more cilantro. You could top with some extra corn too for even more color!