Garlic-infused potato pancakes: A twist on tradition

Although potato pancakes are simple to prepare, they require carefully chosen ingredients. The most essential ingredient is the potatoes, which should be rich in starch to make the pancakes crispier. All the other ingredients are just additions, and there are few in the traditional recipe. These include flour, eggs, and onion.

Onions are often used to prepare classic potato pancakes. However, I decided to enhance the aroma by adding crushed garlic cloves. The result surpassed my wildest expectations.

Previously, I served traditional potato pancakes with garlic sauce, but not everyone in the household liked yogurt. The improved version adds aromatic garlic cloves to the potatoes, making the pancakes tastier and healthier.

Garlic is especially popular in winter dishes because it boosts immunity. However, its benefits extend beyond that. It's worth enjoying this vegetable all year round. Garlic improves digestion and eases stomach discomfort. Furthermore, it contains sulfur compounds that can help lower blood pressure. It also has antioxidants that can effectively combat harmful free radicals. The best garlic tends to come from local crops.

Ingredients:

• about 600 grams of potatoes,
• 4 or more cloves of garlic,
• 1 onion,
• 1 egg,
• 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour,
• 1 tablespoon of potato starch,
• salt, pepper to taste,
• canola oil for frying.

Instructions:

1. Peel, wash, and grate the potatoes on a medium grater, then squeeze them thoroughly.
2. Add the crushed garlic, finely grated onion, egg, and flour to the grated potatoes.
3. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Mix well so that the ingredients combine thoroughly.
4. Heat the oil in a pan and spoon small portions of the potato mixture.
5. Fry the potato pancakes on both sides until golden brown.
6. Place the fried pancakes on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain the excess oil.

You can also bake these potato pancakes in the oven. They will be more delicate and less caloric.