Cooking was a little bit different before the microwave, especially when it came to leftovers. A week or so ago, I posted about how my Mom used to serve leftover pasta. This time around, I am posting about what my Mom used to do with leftover mashed potatoes. After all, before the microwave there really wasn't a great way to reheat leftover mashed potatoes.If you are lucky enough to have leftover mashed potatoes, you should consider making these Potato Cakes. They are not healthy, whatsoever, but they are delicious.
Potato Cakes - adapted from my Mom
*Recipe can be doubled*
Nonstick skillet
1 cup of mashed potatoes (can also use sweet potatoes)
1 egg or egg white
1/4 cup a/p flour, plus a little extra to coat your hands and form the cakes
3 tablespoons butter, or oil, whichever you prefer
Put one cup of leftover mashed potatoes in a medium-sized bowl. (One cup of mashed potatoes will make about 2 large or 4 small potato cakes). Add in one egg or one egg white and about 1/4 cup of flour. Stir together. Form the mashed potato mixture into 2 large patties or 4 small patties. If the mixture is a little sticky, coat your hands with flour and pat mixture into cakes.
Melt about 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-heat in a nonstick skillet. I'm sure you could use any skillet, but nonstick seems to work best for this recipe.
Put the potato cakes into the skillet and fry over medium-heat. You want to fry them slowly so that the potatoes have a chance to warm through. When the edges of the potato cakes start to brown, it is probably time to flip.
Look at those delicious and buttery fried potato cakes - yum!! Fry on the opposite side until you achieve the desired color and crispness.My Mom liked to serve these for breakfast with eggs and bacon. To this day, that is one of my favorite breakfasts. Of course, back then I could eat these fried mashed potatoes and not think twice about it:D These are also delicious served with pork chops or steak.You can top these beauties with all kinds of fun things:
Sour cream
Salsa
Caramelized Onion
Fried Egg
Hot Sauce
Melted cheese
There are also all kind of things that you can add to the Potato Cakes to give them more flavor and/or to use up other leftovers on hand:
Cheese
Mustard
Green Onion
Ham
Any green vegetables
Diced up hard-boiled egg
Salsa
I've also toyed with the idea of forming the cakes, dipping them in egg, and then coating them with panko and frying. I think that would be delicious too!
I am also submitting this recipe to Reeni's Side Dish Showdown, click here for details. Reeni of Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice is hosting a monthly event to celebrate side dishes. I think that these Potato Cakes are one side dish that everyone, including kids, would love to eat!
Have you had Mashed Potato Cakes before?What do you like to do with your leftover mashed potatoes?
These kind of remind me of potato latkes, which is to say that they seem kind of amazing! Great idea for using up leftovers...even in a world in which microwaves are readily available.
ReplyDeletewe NEVER have leftover mashed potatoes, but i like this idea, sort of like latkes
ReplyDeleteLove this fantastic recipe too...way way good.....
ReplyDeleteDelicious days are here sweety-have got 3 awards lined for u my sweet happy pal,do stop by and pic 'em up coz they are topped with loads of love,yeah valemtines=love@365......
Hope u love 'em as muc as i do!!!!!
GREAT idea! I actually don't have a microwave anymore. I have not missed it once!
ReplyDeleteI don't ever have leftover mashed potatoes - but I will consider making extra to ensure I can have one of these potato pancakes! Are they ever scrumptioous!
ReplyDeleteOh, this looks so good! We never have left over mash, but I'd make some just for this, it really looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteHOpe you had a fab valentine's
*kisses* HH
Kim, this is the way my husband does them for breakfast and they are soooo good. We love mashed potatoes but don't have them very often, but when we do I always make enough for leftovers.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a microwave for years and still don't use it to cook much; mostly to reheat coffee.
I'm really enjoying your mom's recipes. This is such fun.
Sam
When I was little, I would get so excited when we had mashed potatoes because I knew we would have these the next day.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the idea of panfrying the potatoes! I've got to try it sometime!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!!!I usually make fish cakes with my leftover mashed potatoes.
ReplyDeletegreat idea! i usually don't like leftover mashed potatoes because they taste gummy to me, but this would be SO good! my kids would chomp them down too.
ReplyDeleteYum, we love to do this. I like your idea of breading and frying to, I think I have seen a recipe for potato croquettes? Where they are made into balls and breaded and deep fried. I need to go make some potatoes and then hide half before dinner so that there are some leftovers to play with :)
ReplyDeleteI love potato cakes! And these look stellar! I can never get that nice rich color on them like you have. Thanks so much for sending them to the showdown!
ReplyDeleteI bet the crispy exterior and fluffy interior is glorious. We usually don't have leftover mashed potatoes...I don't like them so I make sure I only make just enough for one meal. But this may change my mind.
ReplyDeleteYum, I love mashed potato cakes. Especially with a sunny side up egg on top. =P Mmmm..
ReplyDeleteI've saved the few recipes my mom had written down and among them is a similar recipe for potato cake, though they're Italian style. Much yummier than just reheating mashed spuds!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used to make these and I had forgotten all about them until now. She always put some onion in hers. I wish I had one right now...yours look marvelous!
ReplyDeleteoh they look yummy
ReplyDeleteI've honestly never even heard of these--but I love all things potatoes, so I bet I'd really like these--looks like they can be customized pretty easily too. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteHey Kim, This is so funny...my Mom and Dad made these last week for lunch with their leftover mashed potatoes! Miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteXOXOXO,
Joy
My grandfather always made potato cakes, now this is comfort food that warms the heart.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog via Welcome to Our Krazy Kitchen. I have become a follower, come by and visit maybe you can do the same.
Geri
I make those for the kids all the time! I think they like them better than the actual mashed potatoes.
ReplyDeleteI always make extra mashed potatoes so I can fry them up...so much better fried!
ReplyDeleteMy mom use to make potato pancakes, but they never looked as delicious as yours!
ReplyDeleteA perfect sidedish! I dont even remember life before microwave ovens.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second batch I've seen of these today and they are making me want some!!!
ReplyDeleteMashed Potato Cakes appeared often at our house too. So good and so bad! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI learned this trick from my mom too! I think that these are delicious and my kids love em' too. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYum! Those look fantastic! Your mom had a great idea -- these sound soo good.
ReplyDeleteWe rarely have leftover potatoes but those you prepared...that really brings back memories! I can almost taste them...drooling,,
ReplyDeleteI love using leftover mashed potatoes for potato cakes. You gave me some great ideas for making improvements.
ReplyDeletei've never had potato pancakes but these look delicious!
ReplyDeleteWhat is this left over mashed potatoes thing you talk about? Kidding, we do occasionally get some and this is a good idea for when we do.
ReplyDeleteDelicious comfort food! I have to admit, usually mashed potatoes are inhaled at my house... but during the holidays there are plenty of leftovers. I'd enjoy these smothered with gravy or cranberry sauce! :)
ReplyDelete