POTATO KUGEL

All the old recipes for potato kugel come out sort of heavy and gluey, which is not at all how good kugels taste today. These days, the kugel sold in the take-out shops and delicatessens, not to mention those made at home by modern balabustas, are still full of good onion flavor but they are high and light. What may seem like an inordinate number of eggs is the secret. Some recipes call for baking powder, too, but I've found the baking powder does absolutely nothing. Lots of eggs are definitely the ticket to lightness. It also helps to use russet potatoes, which were not nearly as available in grandma's day as they are today. Drier russets produce a fluffier kugel. Incidentally, this is a very low-fat recipe.

Besides serving potato kugel as a side dish for meat or poultry or fish, a larger portion of this egg-rich version makes a good lunch. If cut into small squares, it's also a good finger food to go with wine or cocktails.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds (1.36 kg) russet (baking) potatoes
• 12 eggs
• 2 medium onions (about 12 ounces (340 g)), peeled and cut into chunks
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) matzo meal
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) salt
• 3/4 to 1 teaspoon (4-5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) oil

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks to prepare them for the food processor. Reserve in a bowl of cold water until ready to process, but don't leave them there longer than 2 hours.
3. In a very large bowl, beat together the eggs until well mixed.
4. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse the onions until very finely chopped but not liquefied. Scrape the onions into the bowl with the eggs and stir them in, then stir in the matzo meal.
5. Drain the potatoes, then set a strainer over a bowl. In the same processor bowl (no need to clean), process the potatoes in three batches until very finely chopped. The pieces should be no bigger than a grain of rice, and mostly smaller.
6. As each batch of potatoes is processed, immediately scrape it into the strainer. With a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, press out the moisture so it drains into the catch bowl.
7. Immediately stir the potatoes into the egg mixture. Discard the liquid and potato starch collected in the bowl. Season the batter with salt and pepper.
8. Pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the oil into a 13- by 9-inch (23 cm) baking dish, preferably heatproof glass. Tip the dish so the oil coats the bottom and halfway up the sides. Warm the empty dish in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
9. Protecting your hands, remove the hot dish from the oven and fill it with the kugel mixture. The oil will rise up the sides, especially in the corners; it's a good thing when the oil spills onto the surface of the batter, as it adds crispness to the finished dish. Lightly press the batter down near the corners to fill them with potato batter, then drizzle the surface with the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of oil.
10. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving, preferably somewhat longer. Serve hot or warm, freshly baked or reheated.

The kugel reheats extremely well in a 350 F oven, uncovered so the top can re-crisp. Reheating time depends on the size of the piece being reheated and the temperature of the kugel before it goes into the oven. It can be kept in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for at least 4 days, and for several months in the freezer. It is best to defrost in the refrigerator before reheating