Latke Benny

Hanukkah may be over, but that shouldn’t mean you’re all done with latkes. After all, there’s nothing better than a freshly fried hot latke, than a freezer-full of latkes that can be reheated to crispy perfection at a moment’s notice. Oh, you didn’t make any extra this year? Well, I give you permission to go ahead and make another big batch to stow away. Yes, you read that correctly. The girl who fries but once a year and typically reserves these delicacies for enjoying only during Hanukkah officially says it’s ok to enjoy them one some of the other 357 nights of the year. A few here and there won’t do much damage, especially if you balance them out with leafy greens and lean protein like I did to make this benedict.

I may have named this entree simply because “benny” is short for “benedict.” Or maybe it’s after my husband, Ben, and a handful of his favorite foods: latkes, and eggs, and hummus.

Yes, hummus. The basis of this “special sauce” if you will.

Scratching your head on that one? It came to me a while ago through somewhere in the blogging universe, and probably not from its original source, as is the nature of this game. So while I can’t give credit for this idea I can certainly pay it forward. Try it, love it, and consider it my belated Hanukkah gift to you, along with the rest of this surprisingly delightful combination.


Latke Benedict (or, the reason to keep a freezer stash of leftover latkes)

4 latkes, freshly cooked or reheated*
10 oz package of spinach, thick stems torn off
4 eggs
4 tablespoons hummus
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
2 tablespoons water

In a large nonstick skillet, saute the spinach until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, poach the eggs. Fill a wide, shallow saute pan with water and bring to a boil. Crack each egg into a ramekin. When the water is boiling, turn off the heat, add one tablespoon one white wine vinegar, and quickly pour the eggs into the water. Cover and let stand for three minutes.

Stir together the hummus, mustard and water until smooth.

Top each latke with some of the spinach, a poached egg, and a drizzle of the hummus sauce.

* To freeze latkes, place them on a baking sheet in a single layer just after frying and draining. Move them to the freezer, and freeze for several hours or until firm. At this point you can transfer them to a large freezer bag to save space. To reheat frozen latkes, place a baking sheet in the oven while pre-heating to 425F. When the oven is hot, place frozen latkes on the sheet and cook for 10-20 minutes, until piping hot and crisp. (Baking time will depend on the size and thickness of your latkes.)

PS – Latkes can be made with your choice of gluten-free flour instead of regular all-purpose. And if you do that, you can proudly serve this to all your gluten-free friends. So, I’m sharing this recipe with the Breakfast and Brunch edition of A Gluten Free Holiday, hosted by Ginger Lemon Girl.

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45 Responses to “Latke Benny”

  1. 1

    Kalyn — December 10, 2010 @ 3:14 pm Reply

    Oh my. What a brilliant adaptation of Eggs Benedict. I love it!

  2. 2

    Joanne — December 10, 2010 @ 5:41 pm Reply

    This sounds amazing Cara! And way better than the real eggs benedict. If I do say so myself.

  3. 3

    Shanon — December 10, 2010 @ 7:01 pm Reply

    looks delicious! great idea to lighten up eggs benedict (which is one of my very favorite things ever)!

  4. 4

    Stephanie — December 10, 2010 @ 9:03 pm Reply

    I love both latkes and hummus so I totally imagine how yummy these two things will taste together!

  5. 5

    Jennifurla — December 10, 2010 @ 10:01 pm Reply

    Oh I bet this is just wonderful.

  6. 6

    carascravings — December 11, 2010 @ 1:07 am Reply

    I think this is a genius idea!I love the use of hummus in the sauce…much better than a heavy cream sauce, I think.Keep enjoying them, I am sure that you deserve it!

  7. 7

    Shannon — December 11, 2010 @ 4:06 am Reply

    oooh, what a great idea for the sauce!! looks fabulous πŸ™‚

  8. 8

    Barbara — December 11, 2010 @ 1:41 pm Reply

    Wow. This is dangerous, Cara! I love the idea. What a great photo!

  9. 9

    grace — December 12, 2010 @ 6:45 am Reply

    as a brunch LOVER, i've seen all kinds of benedicts, but this is the most unique (and appetizing) i've come across. lovely!

  10. 10

    Carrie — December 13, 2010 @ 4:20 pm Reply

    WOW! I love that you made a dairy free sauce like this to go over the latke benedicts!! My gosh brilliant! πŸ™‚ Thank you for linking to my gf breakfast roundup!

  11. 11

    Dawn — December 13, 2010 @ 4:29 pm Reply

    Girl this looks amazing. I wish I had latkes in the freezer!

  12. 12

    Kelly — December 13, 2010 @ 9:47 pm Reply

    Mmm. I adore latkes and it's even better that you've made it into a benny. Yes, I call it that too. And the hummus based sauce sounds so unique in place of the traditional. Yum!

  13. 13

    marla {Family Fresh Cooking} — December 16, 2010 @ 4:50 pm Reply

    Cara, I agree. We must have some of our favorites tucked away for rainy days. Love potato latkes, but haven't had them in years. I think it is time πŸ™‚ XO

  14. 14

    Elina — December 16, 2010 @ 8:43 pm Reply

    I actually didn't have ANY latkes this season. I don't know… somehow I got busy and then it was over. This recipe sounds fantastic! Love that you made an extra batch too!!PS – Did you have a chance to enter my giveaway?

  15. 15

    Kerstin — December 20, 2010 @ 3:10 am Reply

    Yum – love the dish and the cute name πŸ™‚ The hummus twist is so great too!

  16. 16

    Mark — December 24, 2010 @ 4:58 pm Reply

    This post has been removed by the author.

  17. 17

    Kerstin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    Yum – love the dish and the cute name πŸ™‚ The hummus twist is so great too!

  18. 18

    Elina — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    I actually didn't have ANY latkes this season. I don't know… somehow I got busy and then it was over. This recipe sounds fantastic! Love that you made an extra batch too!!PS – Did you have a chance to enter my giveaway?

  19. 19

    Kelly — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    Mmm. I adore latkes and it's even better that you've made it into a benny. Yes, I call it that too. And the hummus based sauce sounds so unique in place of the traditional. Yum!

  20. 20

    Dawn — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    Girl this looks amazing. I wish I had latkes in the freezer!

  21. 21

    Carrie — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    WOW! I love that you made a dairy free sauce like this to go over the latke benedicts!! My gosh brilliant! πŸ™‚ Thank you for linking to my gf breakfast roundup!

  22. 22

    Jennifurla — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    Oh I bet this is just wonderful.

  23. 23

    Stephanie — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    I love both latkes and hummus so I totally imagine how yummy these two things will taste together!

  24. 24

    Shanon — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    looks delicious! great idea to lighten up eggs benedict (which is one of my very favorite things ever)!

  25. 25

    Kalyn — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    Oh my. What a brilliant adaptation of Eggs Benedict. I love it!

  26. 26

    marla {Family Fresh Cooking} — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    Cara, I agree. We must have some of our favorites tucked away for rainy days. Love potato latkes, but haven't had them in years. I think it is time πŸ™‚ XO

  27. 27

    grace — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    as a brunch LOVER, i've seen all kinds of benedicts, but this is the most unique (and appetizing) i've come across. lovely!

  28. 28

    Barbara — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    Wow. This is dangerous, Cara! I love the idea. What a great photo!

  29. 29

    Shannon — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    oooh, what a great idea for the sauce!! looks fabulous πŸ™‚

  30. 30

    carascravings — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    I think this is a genius idea!I love the use of hummus in the sauce…much better than a heavy cream sauce, I think.Keep enjoying them, I am sure that you deserve it!

  31. 31

    Joanne — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    This sounds amazing Cara! And way better than the real eggs benedict. If I do say so myself.

  32. 32

    Joanne — March 28, 2011 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    This sounds amazing Cara! And way better than the real eggs benedict. If I do say so myself.

  33. 33

    Kerstin — March 29, 2011 @ 2:05 am Reply

    Yum – love the dish and the cute name πŸ™‚ The hummus twist is so great too!

  34. 34

    Elina — March 29, 2011 @ 2:05 am Reply

    I actually didn't have ANY latkes this season. I don't know… somehow I got busy and then it was over. This recipe sounds fantastic! Love that you made an extra batch too!!PS – Did you have a chance to enter my giveaway?

  35. 35

    grace — March 29, 2011 @ 2:05 am Reply

    as a brunch LOVER, i've seen all kinds of benedicts, but this is the most unique (and appetizing) i've come across. lovely!

  36. 36

    Jennifurla — March 29, 2011 @ 2:05 am Reply

    Oh I bet this is just wonderful.

  37. 37

    Stephanie — March 29, 2011 @ 2:05 am Reply

    I love both latkes and hummus so I totally imagine how yummy these two things will taste together!

  38. 38

    grace — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    as a brunch LOVER, i've seen all kinds of benedicts, but this is the most unique (and appetizing) i've come across. lovely!

  39. 39

    Joanne — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    This sounds amazing Cara! And way better than the real eggs benedict. If I do say so myself.

  40. 40

    Elina — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    I actually didn't have ANY latkes this season. I don't know… somehow I got busy and then it was over. This recipe sounds fantastic! Love that you made an extra batch too!!PS – Did you have a chance to enter my giveaway?

  41. 41

    Joanne — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    This sounds amazing Cara! And way better than the real eggs benedict. If I do say so myself.

  42. 42

    Carrie — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    WOW! I love that you made a dairy free sauce like this to go over the latke benedicts!! My gosh brilliant! πŸ™‚ Thank you for linking to my gf breakfast roundup!

  43. 43

    Barbara — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    Wow. This is dangerous, Cara! I love the idea. What a great photo!

  44. 44

    carascravings — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    I think this is a genius idea!I love the use of hummus in the sauce…much better than a heavy cream sauce, I think.Keep enjoying them, I am sure that you deserve it!

  45. 45

    Kalyn — April 5, 2011 @ 1:18 am Reply

    Oh my. What a brilliant adaptation of Eggs Benedict. I love it!

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