Potato Pancakes

Any good Southern Grandma knows that you don't throw out left over mashed potatoes. For that matter, any good Southern Grandma knows you don't just go reheating left over mashed potatoes, either. You make them into crispy, golden, beautiful potato pancakes. I'm sure most of you have already figured this out, or are lucky enough to have a good Southern Grandma. For those of you who are currently thinking to yourself "brillant idea!" I thank you. I am happy to have your company.

I am not lucky enough to have a Southern Grandma that has a home smelling of comfort and rolls. Instead, I grew up eating a simple menu of my mother's stock recipes (spaghetti and meatballs, roasted chicken, Old El Paso tacos) and boxed sides. So a potato pancake is a revolutionary way to use left over ingredients. I love them as much or more than the actual mashed potatoes themselves. I even secretly make mashed potatoes just so I can have potato pancakes.

Simple Potato Pancakes

(printable recipe)

For every cup or so of mashed potato add 1 tablespoon of flour.

Plus 1/4 cup of flour for dusting

1 tablespoon of butter

1 tablespoon of oil

parsley and paprika to sprinkle on top

Combine the potato and tablespoon of flour. Form the mixture into a palm sized patty. Over medium heat melt the butter and oil together. Place the 1/4 cup of flour on a plate. Dredge both sides of the potato patty in flour, tap off any excess. Place in the oil, cooking each side until golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika and serve.