By Sara Goldstein
Latkes are amazing with applesauce….but have you tried latkes with sautéed apples in butter and cinnamon?! Since potatoes are so versatile, latkes serve as an amazing base for both sweet and savory flavors. Enjoy these fun spins on the classics to level up your latke game!
1. The Lower East Sider
The classic Jewish breakfast of bagels and lox, but with a Chanukah spin! Skip the bagel and trade it for a fried latke.
Toppings:
Cream cheese
Lox
Fresh dill
Capers
2. Apple Parfait
Meet applesauce’s better cousin…apples sautéed with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar! It pairs perfectly with a dollop of creamy yogurt and a sprig of fresh mint.
Toppings:
Yogurt
Sautéed apples (recipe follows)
Fresh mint
Sautéed Apples:
1 and 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 large apple, peeeled, cored, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s completely melted, add in the apples and stir until they are fully coated in the butter. Sauté for seven to 10 minutes until nice and tender to your liking. The cook time depends on the thickness of your apples. Add in the brown sugar and apple pie spice and cook for an additional two to three minutes. Remove from heat and enjoy!
3. Loaded Baked Potato
Everybody loves baked potatoes! Try your latke with a classic shmear of sour cream, but top it with baked potato favorites.
Toppings:
Sour cream
Facon bits
Fresh chives, snipped
4. Spicy Fiesta
Nachos are a huge party favorite. I topped the latke with all my favorite nacho toppings. Feel free to customize it with your favorites!
Toppings:
Guacamole
Shredded cheddar cheese
Pico de Gallo (recipe follows)
Pickled jalapeño slices
Pico de Gallo:
1 plum tomato, diced
1 small red onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
1 lime, juiced
salt to taste
1 bunch prechecked cilantro, chopped (may substitute for 2 cubes Gefen Frozen Cilantro)
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.
5. Southern Smokehouse
What’s a Jewish holiday without brisket? I love to use the ready-made pulled beef for ease, but feel free to use leftovers as well. The pickled cabbage is both beautiful and perfectly acidic to cut through the richness of the beef.
Toppings:
Pickled red cabbage (recipe follows)
Pulled beef
Sliced avocado
Pickled Red Cabbage:
1/4 of a red cabbage
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Combine all ingredients. Leave the salad to pickle for 15 to 30 minutes.
There you have it! 5 amazing topping ideas for you to try this Chanukah. Feel free to play around with flavor combos that you love. Can someone say party in your mouth?
