Pyachysta - Belarusian Potato Pancakes

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and grated (about 600g / 1.3 lbs) 4 large potatoes, peeled and grated (about 600g / 1.3 lbs)
• 1 small onion, grated 1 small onion, grated
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories: 220 kcal / 920 kJ
• Fat: 8g (1g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 34g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out any excess moisture.
2. 2.
   In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, grated onion, minced garlic, flour, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
3. 3.
   Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. 4.
   Take a small handful of the potato mixture and shape it into a flat pancake. Gently place it in the hot oil and flatten it with a spatula.
5. 5.
   Cook the pancake for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
6. 6.
   Remove the cooked pancake from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
7. 7.
   Repeat the process with the remaining potato mixture, adding more oil to the skillet as needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Pyachysta hot, garnished with sour cream or applesauce if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the grated potatoes to achieve crispy pancakes.
• Onion — Grating the onion helps distribute its flavor evenly throughout the pancakes.
• Garlic — Mince the garlic finely to ensure it blends well with the other ingredients.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra crispiness, you can add a small amount of cornstarch to the potato mixture.
• Serve Pyachysta immediately after cooking to enjoy them at their best.
• Experiment with different toppings such as sour cream, applesauce, or even smoked salmon for a unique twist.

Serving advice

Serve Pyachysta as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad or as a side dish alongside roasted meats or sausages. Top with a dollop of sour cream or applesauce for added creaminess and tang.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden potato pancakes on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or dill. Serve with a side of sour cream or applesauce in small bowls for dipping.