Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Who would crave White Castle Latkes?

Leslye Louis of New Melle, Missouri, was selected as the winner of the 16th annual White Castle recipe contest for her original creation, The Latkes You Crave. For Canadians not familiar with White Castle, it is America's oldest hamburger chain with the cheapest burgers around which attracts lots of students (see Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle). I admit to some late night vistis to White Castle while at university in Philadelphia.

Leslye obviously has a very health lifestyle. She is a self-described "White Castle Purist". Through the years, White Castle has remained a big part of her life. She collects White Castle items; she's taken White Castles to her faculty meetings; enjoyed Valentine dinners at White Castle; and wherever she travels, Leslye always makes it a point to make White Castle her first stop.

How nice.

The recipes are judged on the best use of 10 White Castle hamburgers, originality, and taste. Last year's winner was: Enchiladas de White Castle Burgers y Queso.

Here is her winning recipe:

The Latkes You Crave
Submitted by: Leslye Louis

10 White Castle burgers
3 eggs
4 cups grated potatoes
1/4 cup grated onion
4 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Vegetable oil

Remove the pickles and crumble or dice hamburgers in a large bowl and set aside. Beat eggs until light and foamy. Stir in the grated potatoes,grated onion, flour, seasonings, herbs and combine with the hamburger mixture. Heat 1/8 to 1/4 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet. For each Latke, drop about 1/4 cup White Castle potato mixture into the hot oil, fry on each side until golden brown. Add oil to pan as needed, to keep proper depth for frying. Drain Latkes well on absorbent paper. This makes about14-20 of the lightest White Castle Latkes in the Latke-land. Serve hot,with applesauce, dairy sour cream, apple butter or eat plain.