Kenny and Zuke's Delicatessen - Portland - Oregon

After lunch at Le Bistro Montage, lil' sis and I headed across the river. She went to Powell's City of Books again to buy the next book in the Twilight saga. I walked a few blocks over to Kenny and Zuke's Delicatessen to get us some sandwiches for the plane ride back to L.A.


I first bookmarked Kenny and Zuke's years ago after catching a very brief mention in The Oregonian about how the pastrami was made and how it rivaled the Jewish delis in New York City. That's some serious praise. The menu states, "Cured 5 days, smoked 10 hours, steamed for 3, and hand-sliced just for you."

With that kind of description, how could I pass up the chance to try it? Since we were short on time, I went straight to the take-out counter.

Jewish Honey Spice Cake

L'Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year to my Jewish readers. All three (?) of you. Actually, I really had no idea it was Rosh Hoshanah. :P

I had been craving honey cake for the past week without really knowing why. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, you see. Perhaps it was my inner Jew calling out to me? What? I'm not Jewish?! ;)

In middle school, my science teacher was a concentration camp survivor. I remember during one of the Jewish holidays she talked about her experience, even rolling up her sleeve to show us the numbers tattooed onto her arm. Then she shared the most amazing honey cake I had ever eaten in my entire life.

Years later, I still fantasize about that cake. I've tried other recipes but they never tasted as good as my memories.

Latkes (Jewish Potato Pancakes)

I realize that Hanukkah has already passed but hey, I'm not Jewish so I think it's OK that I'm not eating Jewish foods on the proper days. :P

(As an aside, I'm not Christian either so in the spirit of celebrating the "holidays," I did send out Hanukkah cards a few years back. My friends who are used to my sense of the absurd chuckled over that one. :P )

Anyway, I had recently made latkes (Jewish potato pancakes) and totally forgot about it until I saw Kirk of Mmm-yoso's post about his missus's request for them. My latkes recipe is pretty similar to what he used, minus the matzo meal.

Latkes (Jewish Potato Pancakes)
Adapted from Jewish Holiday Style by Rita Milos Brownstein

For half a dozen 4-inch latkes, you'll need:
4 medium potatoes, grated
1 small onion, grated
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 egg
oil for frying

While you're peeling the potatoes, put the peeled ones in a bowl of heavily salted water to keep them white. Then grate 4 medium-sized potatoes and 1 small onion on the large holes. Put the grated potatoes into a colander with a deep plate or bowl underneath it to catch excess water and starch.

When the potatoes and onion are completely grated, add 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of ground black pepper and toss until thoroughly mixed. Then press into the colander or squeeze with your hands to eliminate excess water. Don't throw out the extra water in the bowl just yet.

Put the grated potatoes and onion into a bowl and add in 1 egg and mix thoroughly. By this time, the excess starch will have settled at the bottom of the bowl that was underneath the colander. Drain out the excess water, and add the potato starch into the grated potato mixture.

Form into 4-inch wide patties, pressing firmly to remove still any more excess liquid, and pan-fry on medium-high heat until golden. Let them drain on brown paper bags to retain crispness.

Traditionally, latkes are served with sour cream or apple sauce. I *gasp* eat mine with ketchup. :)

Enjoy!

Who else made latkes?
Kirk of Mmm-yoso made latkes with matzo meal.

*****
1 year ago today, I gave you my recipe for salt and pepper lemon baked chicken and began laying out my sushi and dim sum quilt.

Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant - Los Angeles (Westlake)

The day after our trip to Kyochon Chicken - Los Angeles (Koreatown), cousin Q decided to do the driving this time. Our destination was Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant for a pastrami on rye. The founder, Al Langer, passed away shortly after the restaurant celebrated its 60th anniversary on June 17, 2007. You can read the Langer's story on their website.


We called ahead for curb service. I liked that the person who took our order asked what color and model of car we were driving so she could look out for us. She also told us the total and asked how much we'd be paying so they could have the change ready. Clever!