POTATO IN A BOX GIFT RECIPES

Steps:

• Set a large strainer or colander over a bowl and line it with a clean kitchen towel. Using a box grater, grate the potatoes and onion into the strainer. Using the towel, squeeze as much liquid from the potatoes and onion as possible. Transfer the mixture to another bowl and stir in the flour, eggs, chives, baking powder, salt and pepper.
• Coat the bottom of an 8-inch nonstick skillet with oil and add a couple of tablespoons of butter. Heat over medium heat until the butter foam subsides. Spoon about 1 3/4 cups of the potato mixture into the pan and press to fill the circumference. Fry over medium heat, flipping once, until the pancake is golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain the pancake on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Steps:

• Grate 5 of the potatoes on the largest holes of a box grater. Toss the potatoes with the vinegar and place in a mesh strainer. Place a couple plates on top of the potatoes and weigh the potatoes down to try and squeeze out the excess water. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Cut the remaining 3 potatoes into 6 pieces each. Place them in a saucepan with the garlic. Cover the potatoes with water by about 1-inch. Season the water generously with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer until they are fork tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Strain and, while the potatoes are still hot, pass them through a food mill or mash with a potato masher.
• Combine the grated potatoes and the mashed potatoes. In a small dish, beat the 2 eggs and add to the potato mixture. Season with salt.
• Coat a large saute pan or cast iron pan with olive oil and bring to a medium high heat. Make a 3-inch patty with the potato mixture, cook it, and eat it to make sure that the potato mix is seasoned perfectly. Re-season if needed.
• Working in batches, make and cook all the pancakes, until they are brown and crispy and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Blot the pancakes on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Hold on a sheet tray to keep warm in the oven until serving.