From choosing the potatoes, to the way the potatoes are processed…making a great kugel is simple, but the details matter.
The perfect potato kugel means different things to different people. But for a real traditional kugel you want it creamy inside and crispy in the outside. I’ve tried every trick out there – heating up the oil, mixing the eggs first in the food processor and found it all to taste the same at the end. What does make a huge difference is the kind of potatoes you use and the grate of the potatoes. For crispier potatoes bake it in a glass baking pans (such a pyrex) or in pot thats oven proof (uncovered).
Choosing Your Potatoes
Once you bring your potatoes home, keep them out of the refrigerator to keep their natural starches from turning to sugar, or you’ll be left with a sweet, gritty potato.
If you don’t come across golden potatoes, you can use starchier potatoes such as Idaho or Russet, however, then you’ll need to add another egg, or a little more oil to achieve that creamier texture.
Choosing Your Grater/Processor
While some prefer the old-fashioned cross-woven steel wires potato grater, I find that it produces a slightly piecey texture, and rather use a grater that has very small holes that produce a fine grate like the smaller holes on the sides of a grater like this one. When using a food processor (highly recommended), I prefer the Braun. Use the “kugel blade” on number 8 speed. When using a processor such as a Magimix with no kugel blade, simply grate half the potatoes, switch to the blade, and put back on the machine for a few seconds. Repeat with the remaining half.
If you are using Idaho Potatoes instead of Golden Potatoes add 1 more egg to the mixture.
- 5 pounds golden potatoes (such as Yukon Gold)
- 1 large yellow onion
- 7 extra large eggs (or 8 large eggs)
- ½ cup oil
- 1 Tbsp salt
- dash of black pepper
- Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Peel potatoes and onion.
- In a food processor, process the potatoes and onion on medium speed. (8 on the Braun). (If the speed is too slow, the kugel is too stringy and vice versa if it’s too fast.)
- Place the potato mixture in a large bowl. Mix in the eggs and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Pour potato kugel mixture into pans. (I like to use 3 loaf pans or 9- x 6- inch pans, so you get more end pieces.)
- Bake for 1½- 2 hours.
Need links to our other kugel posts?
And potato kugels first cousin – Potato Latkes
|