This recipe was created by chef todd ginsberg of atlanta restaurant the general muir. Applesauce is a classic topping for potato pancakes, but all sorts of flavors pair wonderfully with fried potatoes, including this creative topping of smoked salmon with herbed sour cream. This simple but elegant recipe would be right at home at a hanukkah gathering but it would also work for a cocktail party or a special breakfast or brunch. Ginsberg uses fresh chives, tarragon, and parsley that have been pureed in a blender in his sour cream sauce. To preserve the bright color and flavor of the herbs, he blanches them in boiling water with a bit of baking soda and salt for a few minutes, then immediately transfers the herbs to an ice bath to shock them. Our test kitchen raved about the dish, saying, the herbed sour cream is light, refreshing, balanced, and the perfect accompaniment to the crispy latkes and salty smoked fish. Ginsberg prefers frying latkes in clarified butter, but this recipe will work just as well with canola or vegetable oil. If you're cooking latkes for a crowd, you might get overwhelmed making them to order. This recipe is easy to make in advance. Simply cook the latkes up to 4 hours ahead of time, and don't refrigerate. A half hour before serving, crisp up the latkes on the griddle and then transfer them to a baking sheet with a thin layer of clarified butter on the bottom. Place them in a 400f oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
