POTATO PANCAKES: STRETCHY PANTS RECOMMENDED.

Classic Stuffed Potato Pancake.

Ahhh- the many uses of the plain old potato. On its own it's not very exciting- but that's the beauty of it! Fry it, roast it, broil it, bake it- the possibilities are endless, as are the ingredients you could add or the sides you could pair it with. One such delicious incarnation of the basic potato is the potato pancake.

Whether you are of German, Jewish, Ukrainian, Irish Scandinavian, Swedish, Austrian, Polish, Czech, Russian, Iranian, Swiss, Latvian descent to name a few, a form of the potato pancake is probably a much loved part of your culinary history. The shallow fried pancake is made of shredded potato, egg, onion, and other herbs and spices. It has been made in kitchens around the globe and paired with all sorts of tasty accoutrements. Latkes are a smaller version of the potato pancake, traditionally eaten by Jews during Hanukkah. In Germany, Reibekuchen is a larger pancake that is usually paired with apple gravy. In Bavaria it is eaten with Sauerkraut and sausages. In Poland the Placki Ziemniaczane is served with meat sauce, pork crisps, or goulash as well as with sour cream, applesauce, mushroom sauce, cottage cheese or fruit syrup. In Ireland it is a popular side dish called Boxty.

On the menu at the Lake Effect Diner you will find three variations of the Potato Pancake: The Traditional, Classic Stuffed, and the Stuffed Florentine. At The Diner our potato pancake mixture is made fresh daily. The potatoes are shredded in house, and mixed with egg, flour, red onion, herbs and spices. Each is fried fresh upon order- this is the only way we have found to produce a good crispy, mouth watering potato pancake. The Traditional is our generously sized single potato pancake served simply with a side of Applesauce and Sour Cream. It’s a great little meal or side dish. Or maybe you are in the mood for something a little more filling. How about our Stuffed Florentine Potato Pancake? Eggs, Peameal Bacon, and Spinach stuffed between two potato pancakes and topped with our house made smooth and creamy Hollandaise sauce. Or go for the gusto with the Classic Stuffed Potato Pancake: Two Potato Pancakes stuffed with Eggs, Ham, Bacon, Onion, Pepper, Tomato, and Provolone Cheese. Every time I order the Classic Stuffed or the Stuffed Florentine Potato Pancake I swear I will never be able to finish, but somehow I manage it, every time…and then I need to put on some stretchy pants and take a nap. 

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Traditional Stuffed Potato Pancake.

Stuffed Potato Pancake Florentine.