Hash Brown

American potato pancakes made from grated potatoes, or Hash Brown, as it is called in the States, can confidently be classified as part of the national cuisine.

At first glance, this dish resembles Belarusian potato pancakes. But the hash brown has a significant difference – its minimalist composition, namely: just potatoes, salt, pepper, and oil for frying. No binding ingredients like flour, starch, or eggs are added. As a result, you get a crispy outside and tender inside hash brown which Americans love to serve for breakfast.

Yield: 2 servings (3 pieces with a diameter of 7.5 centimeters each).

Preparation time: 15 minutes.

Caloric content: 160 kcal per 100 grams of the dish.

Cuisine: American.

Ingredients

• potatoes – 430 g;
• salt – 0.5 tsp;
• freshly ground pepper – 1/3 tsp (or to taste);
• refined vegetable oil for frying – about 50 g.

Preparation

1. Prepare the ingredients for making American Hash Browns.

2. Peel the potatoes.

3. Grate them on a coarse grater.

4. Salt the potato shavings and mix. This will speed up the release of juice.

5. Place the potatoes in small portions on a gauze or cotton fabric.

6. Try to squeeze as much moisture as possible from the collected pouch. The drier the potato shavings, the crispier the pancakes will be.

7. Place the dehydrated clumps into a separate bowl.

8. Add pepper and mix. This is the ready mixture for Hash Browns – no more ingredients are needed.

9. This potato can be immediately fried by placing spoonfuls into the heated oil. However, to create a nice appearance, round patties are formed using a culinary ring. To prevent damaging the contours of the patties when transferring them to the skillet, pieces of cling film or foil are placed underneath. So, set the ring on the film and tightly pack it with potato shavings to a thickness of about 5 millimeters.

10. Carefully remove the ring, twisting it in one direction for better sliding.

11. Prepare all the patties in this way.

12. Heat a skillet with oil. Place the first batch of potato pancakes, transferring them with the film, which is then immediately removed. Fry the bottom side over medium heat until golden brown – this will take about 3 minutes.

13. Using a spatula and a fork, flip the patty to the other side and cook until golden brown for another 3 minutes.

14. Transfer the finished products to a paper towel, which will absorb the excess fat. The Hash Browns are ready.

Thanks to such a simple cooking technology, American potato pancakes, Hash Browns, turned out to be extraordinarily tasty. They retained a distinctly potato flavor and acquired a perfect crispy, crunchy crust with a tender middle. Breakfast with these pancakes, drizzled with sour cream, is very appetizing and nutritious.