Operatic Escapades in Ireland: Maximum Consumption

The past few days have been filled with excitement. As you may remember, I was recently filled with a longing for latkes. Having never made latkes - or really experienced them in any way - I dove into research on proper cooking methods of latkes. It was very educational. Now, I won't regale you with the religious implications because, frankly, my interest in latkes stemmed from their tasty-aspects and not their religious ones.

I headed to the best source for information - the interweb. First I checked my favorite cite for recipes - Allrecipes.com. There I found a variety of latkes-making techniques. All included the basic ingredients of :

grated potato
onions
eggs
flour/matzo meal
vegetable oil

So, off I went to the Tesco for my supplies. I had already been given lots of pototoes (I had some, Lisa and Bernd donated theirs), but I was in need matzo meal and applesauce. However, when I arrived I was confronted with a problem I had not quite anticipated. People here have no idea what a latke is.When you think about it, Ireland is not really known for their large Jewish population. But being in the modern world we live in, I assumed that people would have a rudimentary knowledge of latkes. I was mistaken.

When I inquired as to whether the Tesco carried matzo meal, the woman assisting me looked at me with questioning eyes, cocked her head to the side and said, "Matzo meal?". I happily chatted on about making latkes, the decision to make them, and my need for matzo meal. When she looked at me with even more puzzled eyes, I explained matzo meal as a type of flour substance. I added helpfully that I had searched the flour area and had not found any, but was wondering if they were hiding it away somewhere. At this point, the woman is staring at me with a bewildered expression. So I, trying to be helpful, say, "You, know - latkes? They are made out of potatoes?" She repeats the word out loud, slowly, as if trying to grasp the concept. Again, attempting to be helpful, I add, "You know, it's Jewish?" Judging from the expression on her face, I believe she may have been thinking something close to, "So, you must be one of those Jewish people I have heard of....interesting."

I felt ridiculous. It was as if I was speaking a foreign language. I left feeling concerned about religious education in Ireland, but still hopeful that others would understand what I meant when I said "Latke". How very wrong I turned out to be. When I excitedly mentioned my cooking adventure to my fellow Irish classmates, I was met with the same blank stares. After a while I gave up trying to explain the latke idea and reverted to saying plainly,"It's a Jewish thing." But then, somewhat unsurprisingly, everyone assumed that I was Jewish. Which inspired more exciting conversations. My personal favorite was when someone (by this time there is a crowd surrounding me - it was like "religious storytime") asked where I went to church. I responded that I went to the Catholic Church down the road. "Oh, so you are Catholic." But wait - no I am not. "So, then you are Jewish?" Nope, not Jewish. They were flabbergasted. Why would someone who was not Jewish want to make latkes? I can think of a very good reason to make latkes - they are tasty. I felt like proposing a counter argument; "Do you eat Italian? Are you Italian? No - so why do you eat Italian food?"

Anyway, the moral of the story is this: Who knew an American would be the one to be better informed?

Onto the exciting cooking details - here is the recipe I ended up using.

4 peeled and grated potatoes (or as many as you want - which is what I did)
1 grated onion
2 eggs
3 tablespoons matzo meal (or flour, if you live somewhere where matzo meal is a fantasy)
1 teaspoon salt
Vegetable oil. I am not giving a specific amount because I cannot really tell you how much I used. It was all very - "Sure, that looks good."

Now, before I started cooking I watched various videos on youtube about making latkes. I wanted to be sure I did it right. In my search, I came across a musical gem. It is called the "Latke Song" and I bet you can guess what it is about.

Thank you Debbie Friedman for this moment of musical genius. I won't lie - this was the theme song for the night. So, filled with the wisdom of youtube and a song in my heart, I began to cook.

Many hours later (I used a ton of potatoes), I had completed my task. I had a plate full of latkes and a group of housemates eager to try them. All in all, a great success!

Latke mix