We absolutely adore Epcot during the Holiday Season. Strolling around World Showcase and checking out each country’s decorations, traditions and food is one of our all-time favorite things to do at Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, we’re not going to be able to make the trip, this year. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t bring a little bit of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays home with us. As a matter of fact, we’re going to do exactly that over the next few weeks. We’ll be providing you some of our versions of the tasty Disney Dishes you could be sampling if you were spending the season in Florida. That starts today with this lovely copy-cat recipe for the Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes you can find at the L’Chaim Holiday Kitchen.
Let’s get into the Holiday Spirit!
Our Ingredients
I’m not going to lie to you. Since we will not have the ability to travel to Florida this Holiday Season, I don’t have the chance to sample the actual version of Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes they are serving in Epcot. So, what I’m doing is re-creating this recipe based on the picture of it I’ve found online and combining it with the components I used in a similar dish I often serve when I was catering. An offering that was always a huge hit with our clients.
As for the ingredients, themselves, most should readily available in your local grocery store. Obviously, the key component is the Smoked Salmon. What they’re using at L’Chaim appears to be the more chunky, filet style. If all you can find is the Lox version, however, that will work, as well. In fact, that’s what I would use in my original recipe because it made for an hors d’oeuvres that was much easier for guests to handle.
One other ingredient that may be a little difficult to track down could be the Mascarpone. It does add a richness and semi-sweet flavor profile to the dish. So, I suggest using it if you can find it. However, using a little more traditional Cream Cheese will work just fine if you don’t stumble across it.
Oh, one other thing. The picture of the recipe they’re serving in Epcot doesn’t appear to have Tomatoes in it. However, I’ve made the editorial decision to add them to this recipe simply because I feel they work really well with Smoked Salmon dishes. It’s completely up to you if you want to add them, as well.
Citrus-Herb Cream Cheese
The first component for our Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes you will want to get going is the Citrus-Herb Cream Cheese. Begin by adding the softened Cream Cheese to an electric mixer with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium-high for approximately 3 to 4 minutes or until it becomes light and fluffy.
Next, add the softened Mascarpone Cheese. Whip for an additional 2 minutes and it is well incorporated with the Cream Cheese.
Now, add the minced Fresh Dill, Lemon Zest, Lime Zest, Lemon Juice, Lime Juice and Salt. Hand stir to combine and reserve in the refrigerator until ready to use.
The Potato Latkes
Now, it’s time to get to work on the base of our dish. Of course, I’m talking about the Latke portion of our Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes recipe. This will be the part of the recipe that takes the most time. However, you can do it a day or two before serving if that works best for your schedule.
To get this started, you’ll want to partially fill a large bowl with water. Next, use a Box Grater to shred the Peeled Potatoes. Be sure to do this directly over the water filled bowl or quickly move the shredded pieces to the bowl.
- So, why do the Potatoes need to get to the bowl of water quickly? Well, I’m glad you asked. The water keeps the starch within the Potato from oxidizing. If you leave them out in the air for too long, after shredding, they’ll begin to turn, sort of an ugly grayish-brown in color. While, that discoloration will not change the flavor, it will just make your Latkes look a bit less appetizing. So, it’s worth avoiding if you can.
Once you have shredded all of the Potatoes, use the same box grater to shred the Onion, as well.
Straining!
Now that you have all of the Potatoes and Onions shredded and soaking in the water, it’s time for the next step. That’s removing as much of the moisture, as possible.
- I know! “I just added them to water! Now you want me to get rid of the water?!?” Yes, this may all seem counterproductive but both steps are important. The original water bath rinses away some of the starch and keeps the Potatoes looking beautiful. The subsequent removal of the added moisture is necessary to make sure the Latkes fry properly.
Lay out 3 or 4 layers of Cheese Cloth or a clean Kitchen Towel over a Strainer. Drain the shredded Potatoes and Onion in through the center of the cloth/towel.
Next, wrap the Cheese Cloth or Towel around the Potato/Onion combination and give it a good squeeze. Continue until most of the moisture has been removed.
Mixing
Working quickly, add the shredded Potatoes and Onions to a large bowl with the All-Purpose Flour, Eggs, Baking Powder, Salt and Pepper. Stir until well combined.
Forming
Next, take a large spoonful of the Latke Mixture and form a “patty” with your hands. For large Latkes, they should be about 4″ in diameter. Be sure to flatten them as much as possible to make sure they cook evenly.
Frying
Once you have your Latkes all formed, place a large pan over medium-high heat and add about ½” of neutral oil.
Once the Oil reaches 350ºF, carefully add the Latkes a few at a time; being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the first side until golden brown in color; approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Using a spatula, carefully turn the them over and fry the other side for an additional 4 to 5 minutes.
When the Latkes are completely cooked, carefully move them to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and lightly sprinkle them with Salt. Continue until all of the Latkes are cooked. You can then, serve immediately or cool and reserve in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you choose to do this, you can then reheat them by placing them in a 350ºF oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
The Smoked Salmon
While the Latkes are frying or reheating, it’s time to quickly put together our Smoked Salmon mixture. Begin by flaking large chunks of the Salmon from the filet into a medium-sized bowl. Add the diced Red Onion, Tomatoes and Capers. Carefully mix until well combined and reserve in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Assembly Time!
Alright, let’s put these little gems together. Begin by placing the warm Latkes on whatever serving plate(s) you plan on using. Place a spoonful of the Citrus-Herb Cream Cheese directly on top, like in the photo above. Next, place a heaping amount of the Smoked Salmon mixture on top. Garnish with a small dab of Sour Cream and a sprig of Fresh Dill and serve immediately.
Our Conclusion
This recipe for Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes will be the perfect addition for your Holiday Celebration. Each bite is an absolute symphony of texture and flavor.
The Latke is perfectly crisp on the outside while remaining light and fluffy in the center. Yet you get this terrific, rich, Potato and Onion flavor from it. The Salmon is delightfully smoky with just a hint of sweetness. Then, there’s this wonderful bite from the Red Onion and a pop of briny, saltiness from the Capers. Finally, the whole thing is tied together by the Cream Cheese which bring this spectacular richness that is balanced perfectly by the brightness from the Citrus and the herbaceousness of the Fresh Dill.
It’s everything you want in dish and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Make this dish for your next celebration and bring a little touch of Disney Holidays home to your family and guests!
If you have any questions about this or any of our recipes, just hit us up below in the comments. You can also reach us through our Contact Us page or through email.
Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes
Makes approximately 8 – 10 servings
For the Citrus-Herb Cream Cheese
- 8 oz – Cream Cheese – Softened
- 8 oz – Mascarpone Cheese – Softened
- ½ tsp – Lime Zest
- 1 tbls – Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ tsp – Lemon Zest
- 1 tbls – Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp – Fresh Dill – Minced
- ¼ tsp – Salt
For the Potato Latkes
- 1 lb – Russet Potatoes – Peeled
- 1 – Large Onion – Peeled
- 2 – Large Eggs
- ½ cup – All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp – Baking Powder
- 2 tsp – Salt
- ½ tsp – Black Pepper
- Neutral Oil for Frying
For the Smoked Salmon Mixture
- 8 oz – Smoked Salmon
- 1 – Tomato – Diced
- ½ – Red Onion – Diced
- 1 tbls – Capers
For Garnish
- Sour Cream
- Fresh Dill Sprig
For the Citrus-Herb Cream Cheese
- Place the Softened Cream Cheese in an Electric Mixer with a Whisk attachment. Whip, on medium-high, until light and fluffy; approximately 3 to 4 minutes
- Add the Softened Mascarpone Cheese and whip for an additional 2 to 3 minutes
- Place the Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice, Lime Zest, Lime Juice, Minced Fresh Dill and Salt in the bowl and mix until well combined
- Reserve in the refrigerator until ready to use
For the Potato Latkes
- Using a Box Grater, shred the Russet Potatoes and place immediately in a Large Bowl partially filled with Water
- Next, use the Box Grater to shred the Large Onion and place into the same bowl as the Shredded Potatoes
- Place 3 to 4 layers of Cheese Cloth or a Clean Kitchen Towel in a strainer and drain the Shredded Potatoes and Onion
- Wrap with the Cheese Cloth or Towel and squeeze to remove as much of the additional moisture as possible
- Add the Potatoes and Onion to a medium-sized Bowl with the All-Purpose Flour, Eggs, Baking Powder, Salt and Pepper
- Stir until well combined
- Use a Large Spoon to create individual portions and form into Latke “patties” with your hands
- Place a Large Pan over medium-high heat and add approximately ½” of neutral oil. Heat until the oil reaches 350ºF
- Working in batches, add the formed Latkes to the Heated Oil and fry until the first side is golden brown; approximately 4 to 5 minutes
- Carefully turn the Latkes over and fry on the other side for another 4 to 5 minutes
- Transfer to a Baking Sheet lined with Paper Towels and sprinkle with a little additional Salt
- Keep warm until ready to use or cool completely and store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat by pacing in a 350ºF oven for 5 to 10 minutes
For the Smoked Salmon Mixture
- Flake semi-large chunks of the Smoked Salmon Filet into a medium sized bowl
- Add the Diced Onion, Tomato and Capers and carefully stir until well combined
- Reserve in the refrigerator until ready to use
For the Smoked Salmon Potato Latkes
- Place the warmed Latkes on to your desired serving plate(s)
- Place a spoonful of the Citrus-Herb Cream Cheese directly on top of each Latke
- Add a heaping amount of the Smoked Salmon Mixture to the top
- Garnish with a small dollop of Sour Cream and a Fresh Dill Sprig (if desired)
- Serve Immediately
If you liked this recipe, be sure to check out our other Holiday Disney Dishes
Apple-Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce
If you’re a Disney Fan, be sure to check out our Disney Podcast, as well.
