If you have leftovers, you save them and eat them or figure out a way to reorganize them and make them interesting the second time around. I am sure that is how the potato cake came to be. I know that is when my own mother would make them, when we had leftover mashed potatoes.
I am not sure how my grandmother ever had enough leftover mashed potatoes to make them when she had to mash potatoes for 13 people, but I guess sometime she did. My mother-in-law only had 4 children and she used to tell me that in order to have enough leftover mashed potatoes for potato cakes, she would cook extra potatoes and put some aside for the next day. We do love our potatoes in this part of the country.
These are really very simple to make and just like salmon patties, everyone does it just a bit different to suit their own tastes and their families tastes. They are also called several different names by different folks....potato cakes, potato patties, potato pancakes...all the same thing.
This is the way my mother always made them and what we like. Her potato cakes are a little puffier and light than some and you will see why if you make them. Here is what you will need:
2 cups cold mashed potatoes
1 egg
1/2 cup self rising flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbs. finely minced onion (optional, we don't use onion)
oil for frying
Mix the potatoes, egg, flour and baking powder. Add onion if using it. Heat about 2-3 Tbs. oil in a skillet until hot. Make sure your oil is not enough or the potato cake will just spread out and not stay together.
Scoop with an ice cream scoop and drop in the hot oil. Flatten slightly, but don't mash down too much. Cook until nice and brown on one side and then turn them over and cook until nice and brown on the other side. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
Serve with a little sour cream and chives or green onion or just plain. These are good with any meat or with beans and cornbread!
my Mom put English peas in hers also...but the rest is basically the same...love me some potato cakes...
ReplyDeleteI've eaten them with maple syrup, too!
ReplyDeleteAlso with maple syrup.Yummie
DeleteThese are delicious! The only change I made was to sauté the onions in butter and used butter for frying. ljs
ReplyDeleteMy grandma made them with potatoes and what ever else was leftover, okra,squash, Of coarse we used green onions if we had any left.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is Irish ...this was a delicious staple
ReplyDeletefor 6 hungery growing kids.Yams & sweet
Potatoes mashed are my favourite now..
These left overs are my new idea experiment.
Mashed up leftover yam or sweet potato cakes
nnonownownow..New variation yam or swt. potato cakes.
leftv
I haven't had theses in I don't know how long. I remember my mom making them. Guess mashed potatoes will be on the menu soon now.
ReplyDeletemy mom also add a little nutmeg. love those things
ReplyDeletemake them about the same we use egg,regular flour,and onions, and of coarse mashed taters lol fry in little oil till golden brown yummmmmy
ReplyDeleteI make these, but don't wait for mashed potatoes. Peel potatoes and grate them up. Use egg, flour, grated onion and salt and pepper to taste. Fry them up anytime. :)
ReplyDeleteI add herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano or dill. Also will add bacon at times. My variety of herb depends what meat is on the menu. Fry up some crispy bacon and add to potato mixture. Make sure mixture is a little stiff or the cakes will be thin and mushy.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, my son was dating a young lady that was a vegetarian. I tried to come up with a different meal for her for Thanksgiving. Since the stuffing had drippings from the turkey, the sauerkraut was cooked with pork, etc., I thought of these as a treat for her to have along with other veggies that were not flavored with meats. Those who ate meat had their mashed potatoes to dribble gravy on. Out of all our guests, 100% said they would have gone without the gravy in order to eat potato cakes. They're now a part of our Thanksgiving dinners every year.....the lady friend??...she is no longer in the picture.
ReplyDeleteIt's no wonder your son and her broke up. She didn't eat meat!
DeleteMy mother would make these and put sour cream in the middle. When you sliced into them with your fork, it was somewhat like a lava cake. She did not have a recipe because that is how she learned to cook from her mom and likewise, I did from her.
ReplyDeleteLove these, but skipped the egg and baking powder, Refrigerate patties, dip in flour with dash of garlic powder and fry in butter, oh so yummy
ReplyDeleteI don't eat eggs so I don't use eggs either and they are awesome!!
DeleteNever used baking powder but dipped them in egg and then crushed corn flakes and friend in butter .
ReplyDeleteAs a young bride(almost 40 years ago!), I wanted to make these for my Yankee husband. Just one little problem...I forgot the FLOUR !!! We still laugh about this every time I make them to this day ! :)
ReplyDeleteAhhh. Memories of my dear little mother!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite dishes of all time! I prepare the same way but I include almost half of a sweet onion, chopped! Salt and Pepper. Hum! Thanks for sharing. Rhonda Thacker
ReplyDeleteWith applesause and pork chops!!!
ReplyDeleteWith applesauce they are the best my mom would make them for us kids there was seven of us
DeleteReminds me of my Kentucky mountain Mother who could take leftovers and make a delicious meal for 4 hungry children.
ReplyDeleteI make these also but never used baking powder. I also save all the leftover vegetables to make vegetable soup.
ReplyDelete