Simple and easy recipes for the holidays

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Julian Medina's Potato Jalapeno Latkes with Horseradish Crema

Claim to fame: Julian Medina is the owner of Yerba Buena, Yerba Buena Perry and Toloache in New York City.

Latkes Ingredients:
•2 large russet potatoes, peeled
•1 egg yolk
•½ cup matzo meal
•1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
•1 teaspoon kosher salt
•Olive oil for frying

Horseradish Crema Ingredients:
•2 tablespoons freshly grated (or bottled) horseradish
•½ cup Mexican crema (available in Latin supermarkets) or sour cream
•1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
•½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions:
1. Using a box grater, coarsely grate the potatoes into a medium-size bowl. Add the egg yolk, jalapeno, salt, and matzo meal; mix well and let cool in the refrigerator for five minutes to allow ingredients to bind.
2. Remove bowl from refrigerator and drain off any excess liquid.
3. Over a medium flame, heat ½ cup olive oil in a 10-inch skillet until hot but not smoking. Take 1 heaping tablespoon of the potato mixture at a time and place into the pan, being careful not to crowd the latkes. Cook each latke until golden brown on both sides (approximately five minutes total).
4. Transfer latkes to a paper-towel-lined plate, add additional salt if desired. Add ¼ to ½ cup of olive oil (if needed) to pan and repeat process with remaining latke mixture.
5. Serve immediately, with horseradish crema (Mix all the ingredients together and serve as a condiment for the latkes).
6. Makes 12 pieces (2 per person)