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Happy Hanukkah! Fry Up Some Latkes For the First Night of Celebration

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:56:26 PST

On the first night of Hanukkah, my mommy gave to me - some yummy latkes made by me! We're wishing everyone celebrating the festival of lights a happy start to their holiday tonight! After the menorah, there are few symbols of the holiday as prevalent as the latke - that potato pancake fried up in olive oil and dipped in either applesauce or sour cream. While kids shouldn't be the ones handling the flipping in the hot oil, they can still help with the latke preparation so they can claim the dish as their own at your upcoming Hanukkah celebrations. Before unwrapping your presents tonight, check out how my lil helper got to work on our favorite latke recipe this past weekend then delved into a pile of the tasty, crispy treats!

Healthy Holiday Recipe: Sweet Potato and Carrot Latkes

FitSugar — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 03:00:00 PST

Since many of you are celebrating Hanukkah this week, I wanted to share a twist on my favorite latke recipe. I know oil is a huge part of the tradition, but drenching potatoes in a ton of oil isn't exactly the healthiest thing for you, so check out this recipe. It doesn't involve any deep-frying, and mixes grated carrots with sweet potatoes.

To see how I make a healthier version of this Hanukkah favorite

Holiday Fit Tip: Healthier Potato Latkes With Carrot

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:45:00 PST

Since many of you are celebrating Hanukkah this week, I wanted to share my favorite latke recipe with you. I know oil is a huge part of the tradition, but drenching potatoes in a ton of oil isn't exactly the healthiest thing for you, so check out this recipe. It doesn't involve any deep frying, and mixes grated carrots with the potatoes for a sweet and healthy twist. Plus a little color and you know I love orange!

To see my recipe,

What you need:

3 potatoes, peeled
1 carrot
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp wheat flour
Olive or canola oil
Salt and pepper
Ketchup or applesauce

What to do:

Grate the potatoes and the carrot in a big bowl.

Use your hands to press the mixture flat against the bowl and pour out the extra liquid.
Place a pan on the stove on medium heat. Pour 2-4 tbsp of oil in the pan.
While the pan is heating up, add the egg, flour, and a little salt and pepper to the grated veggies and mix well.
Now you're ready to cook the latkes. Using a big slotted spoon, scoop out about 2 tbsp of the mixture and drop onto the pan. Use the back of the spoon to flatten them so they're about 1/4 inch thick.

Allow them to cook for 3-8 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown. Check the bottoms constantly with a spatula and flip them when they're ready.

Let them cook for another 3-8 minutes, or until golden brown.
Place a paper towel on a plate, and then put the cooked latkes on top so the extra oil can be absorbed.

Serve warm with ketchup or applesauce.

Print recipe with images | without images Fit's Tips: Why not experiment with adding different veggies? Zucchini and sweet potato are also delicious additions to this basic recipe. Let me know if you have any other latke variations in the comments section below.

Healthier Potato Latkes

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:30:00 PST

Whether you are Jewish or not, everyone loves a good potato latke. And since Hanukkah is coming up, I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes.

The thing is, this tradition of making latkes has to do with celebrating the miracle of oil, so you can't exactly remove the oil in the recipe. I've had baked latkes before - they're just not the same.

It's ok to live it up a little, especially around the holidays. The calories don't count anyway when you eat them with family, right? Right.

Why not compromise by using less oil? Instead of frying them in a sea of oil, try using only enough oil to cover the pan.

If you want to know how to make them,

read more Potato Latkes 2 eggs 3 cups grated, drained potatoes (6 medium potatoes) 4 tbsp grated onion 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 1 tsp cinnamon olive oil

Saute the onion until slightly browned.
Beat the eggs in a bowl. Mix in the grated potatoes, cooked onion, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and flour.
Cover a pan with 1-2 tbsp of oil, and turn the heat to medium.
Scoop the mixture out in little balls and drop onto the pan, flattening with a spatula. (They should be about the size of an orange slice)
Cook until crispy brown on both sides, and lay them on paper towels to soak up any extra oil.
Serve warm with applesauce or sour cream.

potatoes

Vitamin C

Fit's Tip:

Crispy Baked Zucchini and Sweet Potato Latkes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:11:31 PDT

A neighbor's generous zucchini gift inspired me to make something besides the usual baked sweet bread. Although they're traditionally made with potatoes, I whipped up a healthier batch of latkes using vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes and low-calorie shredded zucchini, which adds extra fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Baking the latkes instead of frying in a layer of oil makes for a savory and sweet latke with less calories and fat.

Keep reading to see the recipe and find out how many calories are in one square latke.

5 Sweet and Savory Latke Recipes For a Healthy Hanukkah

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:56:03 PST

Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating, and what better way to enjoy the festival of lights than with a latke party? Latkes are pancakes made with shredded potatoes, but you don't have to stop there. Here are five healthy twists on the basic latke recipe. Pair your potato pancakes with sour cream, salsa, or homemade fruit chutney for a satisfying appetizer, but be warned - they're so irresistible, you might make an entire meal out of them.

Healthier Holiday Recipe: Crispy Carrot Rosemary Potato Latkes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:56:51 PST

Hanukkah just isn't the same without the smell of latkes cooking on the stove. Of course my Gramma's will always be the best, but since they're practically deep fried in a layer of oil, her potato pancakes aren't exactly good for you. Here's a healthy twist on my traditional family recipe with shredded carrots and fresh rosemary added, and since they're sautéed in a small amount of oil, you can feel good about eating them up. These are served with organic apricot applesauce that complements the sweetness of the carrots beautifully.

Continue reading to see the recipe and find out how many calories are in one latke.

How to Lose 5 Pounds in 5 Minutes

Self — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:05:05 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Pumpkin pie, Christmas cookies, potato latkes, mashed potatoes and gravy . . . We're all guilty of overindulging in December but getting back on track doesn't have to be as difficult as it sounds. It may take weeks to melt away those post-holiday pounds but it's easy to create the illusion you haven't gained an ounce simply by improving your posture.

"Most of us spend way too much time slumped in front of computers, slouched at steering wheels or vegging out in front of TVs," says fitness expert Liza Savage-Katz. "It collapses lung space which restricts our breath, affects our mood and cuts off proper nerve and blood supply to the brain."

To counteract these bad habits, Savage-Katz recommends a few "very simple exercises kind of like sucking in your stomach" to "carry your body as nature intended." You'll instantly look as if you've dropped five pounds. Add these three moves to your daily routine to "strengthen your abdominals, improve your posture and strengthen your back."

Get the moves after the break.

Valerie Bertinelli Loses Weight Around the Holidays, Do You?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:49:19 PST

With all the chocolate Advent calendars, fruitcakes, homemade gingerbread cookies, potato latkes, eggnog, and holiday parties, it amazes me that 51-year-old Valerie Bertinelli tells People magazine:

"You know what, I lose weight, not gain it, during the holidays. You have more days off, so you have more time to go to the gym and be active. I have so much more time to work out this time of year."

The former Jenny Craig spokesperson added:

"I'm spending hours running around, cooking in the kitchen, and by the time, it comes around to getting to eat, I don't even want to eat that turkey anymore - I'm sick of it. So keeping fit for me is easy this time of year."

Personally between all the yummy holiday treats and the extra time spent shopping (instead of lacing up my sneaks), I end up gaining a few. How about you?

Fast & Easy Dinner: Salad with Potato Apple Pancakes

partysugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:43:31 PST

Ever since I made potato latkes, I've been seriously craving crisp flat potatoes. This recipe for a salad topped with potato and apple pancakes will definitely satiate my hunger. Endive and green leaf lettuce are tossed with a smooth sour cream dressing. Grated apples, potatoes, and onions are mixed with parsley and bread crumbs to make a flavorful and crunchy pancake. Take a look at the recipe when you