Happy Hannukah!

Alex makes the best potato pancakes of any one I know. I do most of the cooking around here, but potato pancakes are a special treat when he makes them. They're so good. Of course I made him make them tonight, it's the first night of Hannukah! 

Latkes (potato pancakes)

3 large Russet potatoes

1 onion, diced

2 T garlic, minced

1 t salt (or more)

a good sprinkle of pepper (we use the pepper grinder so it's not measured)

1 t paprika

1 egg

3/4 c rice flour

Oil for frying

Peel the potatoes, then grate two of them into a bowl of water using the regular sized holes (larger) on your grater and then grate the other potato using the small-holed side of the grater. Rinse the potatoes, squeeze out any excess water, and add the rest of the ingredients. Work everything in with your hands until well combined. Heat 1/2" of oil (we use a cast iron pan) and take a small handful of potato mix and squeeze as much liquid as possible out while smooshing the potatoes into a pancake. Slide into the oil, and repeat. You will be left with a gross puddle of sludge, get rid of that. Yuck. Drain latkes on paper towels and serve, sprinkling with a little salt if you wish, and try to remember to have some applesauce or sour cream on hand too. I always forget.