Swiss Potatoes

Name: Swiss Potatoes
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 3 3/4 pounds russet potatoes; 4 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon coarse salt

Recipe from Nora Ephron

Adapted by Marialisa Calta

Total Time: 30 minutes
Rating: 4(7)
Comments: Read comments

“I have made a lot of mistakes falling in love, and regretted most of them, but never the potatoes that went with them,” Nora Ephron wrote in her novel “Heartburn.” To that end, she offered up this recipe for Swiss potatoes, which is, as she noted, essentially a giant potato pancake, the flipping of which can — and should — be done as dramatically as possible. Make sure to dry the grated potatoes completely before frying them. This recipe serves two people, which is fortuitous because, as Ms. Ephron wrote, “Not just any potato will do when it comes to love.” —Marialisa Calta

Featured in: The Art of the Novel as Cookbook

or to save this recipe.
Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
Subscribe
Share
Print Options
Include recipe photo

Ingredients

Yield:2 servings

3¾pounds russet potatoes
4tablespoons butter
1tablespoon vegetable oil
1teaspoon coarse salt

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

Step 1
Peel potatoes (after each is peeled, place it in a large bowl of cold water to cover to avoid discoloration). Dry potatoes and grate them in a food processor or with a hand grater.
Step 2
Spread grated potatoes on sheets of paper towels. Cover with another layer of towels and pat until dry. Repeat until potatoes are completely dry.
Step 3
Heat butter and oil in a nine-inch skillet over medium heat. Add potatoes and pat down with a spatula to form a pancake. Cook, uncovered, about 15 minutes, or until the bottom is brown. Slide one spatula underneath the pancake, place another on top and flip it. Add salt and cook five minutes more. Serve warm.