Korean Latkes

Name: Korean Latkes
Ingredients: FOR LATKES; 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled; 1 cup spicy napa cabbage kimchi, drained and very thinly sliced; 1/2 cup white rice flour; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1 tablespoon ground Korean red chile (gochugaru)* or 3/4 tsp. cayenne; 1 bunch chives, cut into 1-in. lengths (about 3/4 cup); 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/8 teaspoon baking soda; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 1 tablespoon Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce; 2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika; About 2/3 cup vegetable oil, divided; FOR TOPPING; 3/4 cup creme fraiche; 4 green onions, cut into 2-in. slivers; Espelette pepper* or smoked paprika; Flake sea salt

20 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

FOR LATKES
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
1 cup spicy napa cabbage kimchi, drained and very thinly sliced
1/2 cup white rice flour
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon ground Korean red chile (gochugaru)* or 3/4 tsp. cayenne
1 bunch chives, cut into 1-in. lengths (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce
2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika
About 2/3 cup vegetable oil, divided
FOR TOPPING
3/4 cup creme fraiche
4 green onions, cut into 2-in. slivers
Espelette pepper* or smoked paprika
Flake sea salt

Directions

1

Heat oven to 200°. Peel potatoes and shred coarsely in a food processor or on a box grater. Put in a kitchen towel and wring out as much liquid as possible.
2

In a bowl, mix potatoes and remaining latke ingredients with 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
3

Heat 1 1/2 tbsp. remaining oil in a large, heavy nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Spoon in scant 1/4 cupfuls of latke batter to form 5 pancakes; flatten to a thickness of 1/2 in. Cook until dry-looking around edges and browned underneath, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook other side until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Cook remaining latkes the same way, adding more oil as needed.
4

For each plate, spoon about 1 tbsp. creme fraiche onto each side and smear toward center. Top with 2 or 3 latkes and some green onions. Sprinkle with espelette pepper and sea salt.
5

*Find smoky, fruity gochugaru (not to be confused with the Korean chile paste called gochujang) at Asian markets and online. Find mild Spanish espelette pepper at specialty shops and online.