Deruny — Ukrainian Potato Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 lb potatoes
• 1 small onion
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp flour
• ½ tsp salt + pepper
• Neutral oil, for frying
• Sour cream — the ceiling amount is 'more'
• Chives or dill

Method

1. Grate the potatoes and onion on the fine holes — the onion isn't just flavor; its juice slows the browning of the potato while you work.
2. Squeeze the mixture hard in a towel, then stir in the egg, flour, salt, and pepper into a loose batter.
3. Heat ¼ inch of oil until a shred of potato sizzles instantly. Drop thin spoonfuls and flatten — thin equals lacy, thick equals gluey.
4. Fry 3 minutes per side to a deep amber crunch. Drain on a rack; salt while hot.
5. Serve stacked, buried in sour cream and herbs. In Ukraine these are breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the reason to grow potatoes.