Potato Pancakes

Some people love leftovers, like hubby. Some people refuse to eat them, like my brother-in-law. If you've got a leftovers hater in the house, it's good to know ways to revamp left over food into a new, delicious dishes. Sometimes, it's difficult, if not impossible, but sometimes it's also quite easy. For example, mashed potatoes can become a variety of things after their first initial serving.  Though, how many homes actually have leftover mashed potatoes? They're so darn good they usually get gobbled up the first night. Unless you live with someone like my dad who follows the "it's better to have too much than too little" philosophy in the kitchen.  He made mashed potatoes the other night, and - I bet you've guessed it - we had about 2 cups of potatoes left. We immediately knew what must be done with them...

POTATO PANCAKES!! This was one of my absolutely favorite foods growing up. My mom didn't make them too often (again, we didn't often have left over mashed potatoes) but when she did, it was bliss at the dinner table.   

Potato Pancakes

• 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 egg
• approximately 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• olive oil

First, you want to make sure your potatoes are well seasoned. They should be, from the night before, but perhaps you need more salt or want to add some garlic powder. 

Stir the flour into the mashed potatoes, making sure they're well combined.  Add in the egg and, again, mix until well combined. You want to make sure the potatoes aren't too wet and sticky; if they are they will fall apart. Add more flour if necessary.

In a large skillet, heat a tbsp or two of oil over medium heat. 

In your hands, roll approximately 1/3 cup of mashed potatoes into a ball, then flatten it into a 1/3 inch disk. Gently place it into the hot oil and let it fry for a couple minutes before flipping it.  If, when you try to lift the pancake with a spatula it sticks to the pan, leave it be for another minute. It should lift smoothly off the pan. Flip and fry for another 2 or 3 minutes.  Remove to a paper towel lined dish to drain. 

In a good sized skillet, you can fry 4 pancakes at a time. Don't let the pan get too crowded or it will be difficult to flip them. 

You can serve this plain, with ketchup, or with just about anything that goes nicely with potatoes.