I wouldn't be lying if I said I don't agree with my mother. But I don't think it if fair to say I would be anything without her influence. I bake, I cook, I knit, I sew, I spin, and I would do none of these without having her influence in my life. So, with that in mind, and a whole bunch of wine....let me open with what no doubt will be an inconsistant and blotchy blog detailing everything and nothing...and things I likely wouldn't being doing without having influence (mother or otherwise) in my life.
Today....I potato pancakes. I am Canadian. Second Gen born of Finnish/Polish background...and yet...purely Canadian based on...my parents are born Canadian. I bleed what I was breed by. Is that Polish? Is that Finnish? Neither, both...what I have learned from my friends and family. I have no formal training in anything. But I do things. I do all things. I feel the need to learn and grow. I want to know everything. This leaves me with a very "Jack of all Trades" thing. So...if you are reading...don't expect anything but everything. I like wine, I like My Little Ponies, I like Guiding, I like Photography, I like fibre arts, I library....I could go on forever....but I do.
While the wine wears off..and I am still cooking...I tell you about potato pancakes. I have no right to these. My mom made these for us in a rotation of foods. I eat them with sour cream and apple sauce.
When I asked my mother...I was freshly married and looking for new recipes....what about those potato pancakes? She was blase about the deal...potatoes grated, add eggs and flour. Serve with Sausage. Ok...easy enough. Did the thing. But I learned how to appreciate cooking. I learned about the food processor (something that didn't exist in my low to med income raised bracket)...and up to this year, hand grated potatoes. I learned that adding onion to the mix, changes the game. Wow...grating onion in changes a potato pancake. It really does. Flour and egg. Ok...I learned salt and pepper change the game too.
So...Euro, not so Euro grate potatos, add egg and potato to "satisfation" and salt and pepper make a good potato pancake. From a girl who doesn't like pancakes (more later...truely...they make me gag) to something amazing...hey...not doing so bad...blue collar girl scores a win....
In case you were looking for a recipe...I don't have one. Like my mother...I don't have a recipe to give. I eyeball it. About 2-3 potatoes per person...depending on size of potato. A couple of eggs..dependant on how many it takes to make it all stick together...a bit of flour...enough to make it not runny...and some salt and pepper, dependant on your tastes...it will vary. I like Bangers. Buying them here (in Kitchener) means a flat of 5. With three in the house..that means 1-2 per person. But...I am picky about sausage. If you want me to flesh out a recipe...I might say 1-2 big potatos per person, but I am not you...you may like more or less....I might say...I like 2-4 eggs per batch ( I have a processor..so grating..I pay less attention too..whatever fills my bowl) whatever makes my eggs..lubed? and flour...I fill a dry cup measure...but I add enough to make the rest stirable....? Salt and pepper ..to taste. I hate pepper..hold on...that deserves its own line...
I hate pepper
So add what you like....this recipe sucks...but it is what grandma would give you. Trust her. Your instincts are better than you think!
Give a lower middle class girl some credit...and see where it takes you...
