Don't let those mashed potatoes from last night go to waste or just reheat them. Make an entirely new side dish with a few more ingredients and make cheesy potato pancakes. No one will suspect that they were leftovers!
3 c. chilled leftover mashed potatoes
2/3 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
2 T. chopped scallions, green and white parts
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 T. plus 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
3-4 T. oil, for pan-frying
sour cream, for serving
In a large bowl, stir together left over mashed potatoes, cheese, scallions, egg and 3 T. flour until combined. If the mixture is too dry and isn't holding together, add one more egg. If it is too wet, add more flour, 1 T. at a time, until mixture is cohesive. Using your hands, divide the mixture into 12 equal portions. Roll each into a compact ball, then flatten into a pancake about a 1/2 inch thick.
Place the remaining 1/2 cup flour in a shallow dish; carefully dredge each pancake in the flour.
Heat 3 - 4 tablespoons oil or enough oil to coat the bottom of a large saute pan and heat over medium heat.
Fry pancakes, in batches, until golden brown and crispy on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Add more oil to the pan as needed between batches. Don't overcrowd the pan and don't turn the pancakes too early or a crisp crust will not form.
Transfer pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle with salt while still hot.
Serve the potato pancakes topped with sour cream and garnished with additional chopped scallions.
Makes 12.