Potato Pancakes with Mango Serrano Creme Fraiche and Smoked Trout

Ingredients

Pancakes:

• 2 large russet potatoes, peeled
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 to 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Mango Serrano Creme Fraiche, recipe follows
• 1/2 pound skinned and boned smoked trout, flaked
• Cilantro leaves

Directions

Finely grate the potatoes on a hand grater. Place in batches into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible, place in a large bowl. Add the onion, beaten egg, baking powder, flour, and cilantro, and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet until almost smoking. Drop potato mixture into the skillet 1 heaping tablespoon at a time and smooth the tops with the back of a spoon to 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Fry over moderate heat, turning them once with a spatula for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp.

Remove to a platter lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining mixture, adding more oil if necessary. Top each with a small dollop of mango serrano creme fraiche, flaked trout, and a cilantro leaf.

Mango-serrrano creme fraiche:

• 1 cup creme fraiche
• 1/2 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and finely diced
• 2 serrano peppers, roasted, peeled and finely diced
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine in a medium bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.