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German Potato Pancakes - Kartoffelpuffer

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By , About.com Guide

Kartoffelpuffer - Potato Pancakes

Kartoffelpuffer - Potato Pancakes, fresh and hot.

J.McGavin

German potato pancakes are a real treat and something Germans miss when they move away. Eating freshly made potato pancakes with applesauce in the out-of-doors at a weekly market or carneval is a wonderful way to do indulge. Now, you can also make them at home with this simple recipe for potato pancakes.

Serves 2, makes 4 large potato pancakes.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. potatoes (about 2 medium or 3 small Russets or other starchy potato)
  • 1/2 onion
  • 3/4 - 1 tsp. salt (start with a lower amount, you can add salt at the table)
  • Ground pepper
  • Freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 egg
  • Oil for frying

Preparation:

Peel and grate potatoes. Place the grated potatoes in a clean dishcloth or cheesecloth and squeeze the liquid out of them into a bowl. Let the liquid stand a few minutes, then drain the liquid, leaving potato starch at the bottom of the bowl. Add the potatoes.

Grate the onion over the potatoes. Add dried onion flakes for part or all of the onion, if you like. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg and egg. Mix thoroughly.

Heat oil in a frying pan. You can use a non-stick pan and just a few drops of oil, if you wish, but for best results use 1/8 to 1/4 inch of oil.

Using about 1/2 cup, drop the potato mixture into hot oil and flatten with the back of a spoon. Fry 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with applesauce and maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon.

User Reviews

 5 out of 5
a smiling memory, Member meNmaddie

We always had potato pancakes when I was a child. I'm still trying to pronounce the German name. We didn't have onion or nutmeg in them but I'm going to try them that way. Always with applesauce! I can remember standing by the stove watching my Dad make them and the anticipation was almost unbearable because you knew how good they were going to taste. We missed the German market when we were in Chicago but next time I'm going there and look for a vendor selling these. Thank you for the reminder of the fun past and I'm so glad I finally found someone else who makes these!!

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