No Hanukkah celebration is complete without latkes. Go classic potato for the first night, and then try borscht-inspired beet, cheesy cauliflower and Gruyère, and earthy-sweet carrot and curry variations on the other nights. The trick to crispy cakes with less oil is to start with a very dry grated potato mixture: Drain well, and then squeeze in a clean kitchen towel. The frying oil may get too hot during successive batches; remove pan from heat for a minute or two, and lower the temperature as needed.
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 250°F.
Combine grated potatoes, carrots, and onion in a colander; drain 15 minutes, pressing mixture occasionally with a spoon to extract liquid. Place potato mixture in a clean kitchen towel; squeeze out excess liquid. Place potato mixture in a bowl.
Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add cilantro, flour, salt, curry powder, garam masala, and crushed red pepper to potato mixture, stirring to combine. Stir egg and egg white into potato mixture.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add 5 teaspoons oil; swirl to coat. Spoon potato mixture loosely into a 1/4-cup dry measuring cup, filling about two-thirds full. Add mixture to pan, and flatten slightly. Repeat procedure 4 times to form 5 latkes. Cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place latkes on a baking sheet; keep warm in oven at 250°F. Repeat procedure twice with remaining 10 teaspoons oil and remaining potato mixture, adding an extra latke to the pan during the last batch to yield 16 latkes total.
Combine yogurt with cucumber; serve with latkes.