I can still see my Granny, an apron protecting her "good dress," her clunky lace-ups (the original "granny shoes") planted firmly on her linoleum floor, grating potatoes, onions and crying.
3. Shape the latkes with a rounded tablespoon or wooden spoon. Be sure to flatten them with your hands before dropping them into the pan. Big, fat latkes may look appealing, but chances are when they're golden brown on the outside, they won't be cooked enough inside.2. Grate the onion next to a running cold water faucet. It helps reduce the tears.1. Hand grate the potatoes, celery and onions on a coarse grater. (You really can taste the difference.) Otherwise, use the grating attachment on the food processor.1/2 cup matzah meal"I use a combination of russets and new potatoes. Never just russets - too rough! It's like the brawn without the brains. Like comparing a dancer to a doctor. So, after they're grated, we drain off the liquid - don't want potato starch going straight to our hips."Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to NewsvineThese look beautiful on a serving plate, and are an interesting alternative to applesauce."But the most important thing," she'd say, smiling slyly, "make your latkes with love - even if you don't love everyone who's going to eat them." Uncontrollable giggling. Then she'd look us all square in the eye, wag her finger, and warn, "Forty days before a daughter is born, her husband is selected in heaven ... but if you don't put love into your latkes, you never know what might happen!"These memories make me sad because I miss her, and because her anecdotes and advice have so enriched my life. And then I think of Grandpa (Zayde), who'd recite the story of Chanukah as we were eating our latkes. It was amazing how, every year, he made the same story sound different.She was gleeful, giving us the best part of her, as we gathered in her kitchen on the first night of Chanukah - the Festival of Lights.2 stalks celery, mincedMama Celia's Potato Latkes: A Riff on Her Mother's9. Always taste the first few of the batch, and then adjust the seasonings. Latkes tend to be bland, but salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne and various herbs will spice them right up.1/2 teaspoon paprika1-2 teaspoons salt8. Remove the latkes carefully from the frying pan, so they don't fall apart, and then put them on layers of paper towels to drain. If necessary, pat the excess oil off the top.4. A Granny conundrum: Although it's important to shape the latkes with your hands, don't handle them any more than necessary. The less they're handled, the lighter they'll be (a tip from Mama Celia).Visit our web site at www.neaccessiblegolf.org . For more information on the Northeast Accessible Golf Association or to schedule an interview with Dean Bragonier, please contact Veronica Oyen at media@neaccessiblegolf.org .2 cloves garlic6. Make sure your oil is blazing hot. It really does help keep the oil outside the latice.Granny's tips for the perfect latke:3 new potatoes, peeled and gratedAt the end, Zayde had tears in his eyes, and Bubbe joined him. She thought no one noticed because she'd hide her face with her lace handkerchief, but we all heard her sniff. Then she'd plant a big kiss on his cheek, and drag him to his seat so she could serve him the first latke. But before he'd eat, he'd tap his glass with a spoon and, with his own brand of grace, pronounce wistfully, "Let's hope, God villing, mit good health and happiness, next year, ve'll be together again."10. Since we are all concerned about our health, most of us don't do much frying anymore. But on Chanukah we eat fried foods to commemorate the miracle of the temple oil. My mother, Celia, is very health conscious, but she taught me, "Moderation is key in all things," so Chanukah is one of the few times of the year I give myself the present of a juicy, delicious latke.3 tablespoons butter"Over 2,000 years ago, the Syrians and Greeks defeated the Jewish armies and confiscated their Temple in Jerusalem. They filled it with statues of foreign gods and tried to force us to worship these idols. We refused, and were punished harshly. Finally, a small band of soldiers, led by Judah Macabee, marched to Jerusalem. Although they were outnumbered a hundred to one, they were determined. For three years, they hammered away at their enemy, until they triumphed, and miraculously won the first recorded battle for religious freedom." He'd always nod at my brother, Dennis, for recognition, after that statement.Then she'd pour peanut oil into a heated, cast iron pan. "We'll wait until the oil gets blazing hot," she'd tell us. That way the oil won't penetrate our latkes. Grease on Chanukah - your whole year is clogged!" Granny would roar at that line.4 eggs, beatenContact: Dean Bragonier Tel: 508.939.1900 Email: Email Contact Web: www.neaccessiblegolf.orgMr. Corcoran established the Northeast Accessible Golf Association, a 501(c)(3), with the help of three friends: Mr. William McMahon, a totally blind golfer who has competed nationally and internationally in over 20 competitions, Mr. Jerry Donovan, an L6 quadriplegic, whose average fairway drive tops 170 yards, and Mr. Bob Beach, the head PGA golf professional at Braintree Municipal Golf Course and two time winner of the NEPGA Chapter Teacher of the Year award. The mission was simple: To promote equality and accessibility within the game of golf for individuals afflicted with physical and emotional challenges.Caramelized ApplesPlace potato mixture in large colander; rinse them with cold water to remove excess starch and moisture. Sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Transfer mixture to clean bowl. Stir in remaining ingrethents. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Using a mounded tablespoon, shape latkes into 4-inch circles, pat them thin, and drop into the hot oil. Flatten the latkes with the back of the spoon. Cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately, or put into moderate oven until ready to serve.3/4 cup granulated sugar1 tablespoon lemon juice7. Make the latkes as close to serving time as possible. Keep the first batches warm in a low oven (200 degrees) while cooking the remaining batter.peanut or vegetable oil as needed5. Use peanut or vegetable oil. Sorry, folks, no olive oil - it doesn't heat hot enough.Granny emphasizes that the first batch might not turn out, so consider these few fledgling latkes "one or two for the pot.""After their victory, Judah and his men climbed the mountain overlooking Jerusalem, and seeing there was no more resistance, cautiously entered the desecrated temple. They were devastated at the ruins, but heartbroken to find the lamp of Eternal Light snuffed out. Desperately seeking pure olive oil to relight the lamp, they rummaged through cask after cask - to find only one tiny jar - enough for one day of light. They nervously poured it into the lamp. But, instead of burning for one day, it stayed lit for eight, during which time they rededicated the Temple and gave it back to the Jewish people.""I'm not crying because I'm sad," she'd sniff, waving the onion fumes from her face. "We're going to eat latkes. We're going to light the candles. And the presents - wait'll you see what I got you!"Our family carries on in their tradition. After the candlelighting, each child gets a gift wrapped in shiny blue and white paper to celebrate the colors of the Jewish flag and we dole out Chanukah gelt (chocolate coins). Then the children play games for pennies, nuts or candies, by spinning the dreidel.lemon juice as needed11. Another traditional item is sour cream; it is delicious on potatoes, in general, and especially on latkes. On Chanukah, I eat sour cream on my latkes, but you can substitute yogurt or a combination of yogurt and sour cream. Or simply, just the traditional applesauce or my favorite, Caramelized Apples.Through cooperative associations with the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, the Veterans Administration Hospital Network, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Massachusetts Golf Association, the Northeast Accessible Golf Association has 10 clinics slated for the summer, beginning with a free, public clinic to be held at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course on June 25th, 1-4 pm. This clinic is for anyone with a disability who would like to give golf a try. Additional clinics have been scheduled with organizations catering to youth with disabilities (Multiple sclerosis, Autism and Cerebral Palsy) on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket and in Vermont and Boston.
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and quartered
Author: Levitt, Beverly
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