Recipe: Potato or Pratie Cakes

Potato or Pratie Cakes

Being of both Polish and Irish descent, there's one food that pretty nearly every member of our family can agree on: Potatoes! Baked, boiled, cheesy, creamed, fried, mashed - we love them every way possible. And when we have leftover mashed potatoes, we're never disappointed, because we can make potato cakes!

This is the simplest recipe ever, and very dependent on the consistency of your potatoes. Whether you call them potato cakes, or the quaint Irish name of Pratie Cakes, these are a classic old-country dish that is fun and easy to make. So, here we go!

* Leftover Mashed Potatoes (ours measured about 2 cups this time)
* 1 egg
* Flour (we used whole wheat in the potato mixture, and unbleached white flour for dusting)
* Salt
* Pepper (if desired)

Add the egg to the mashed potatoes and mix well. Add flour until the mixture is thick enough to form a ball, but not dry. Form into patties approximately the size of your palm, and about 1/2" to 3/4" thick. Dip in white flour, or hold the cake in your hand and sprinkle a pinch of flour on it, smoothing across the surface on both sides. This should keep your potato cake from sticking to the pan! Heat a generously buttered pan (we're picturing this in a traditional cast iron pan, like this one from Lodge, aren't you?) Place your cakes on the pan and sprinkle with salt (and pepper, if desired). Fry your cakes for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through, or until both sides are nicely browned. Enjoy with fried or scrambled eggs for breakfast or brunch; soup or stew for lunch; or chicken or beef and cooked vegetables for supper. Looking to dress them up? Why not try some shredded cheese or a bit of minced onion or chopped chives in the mixture? Or serve them with buttered onions or cottage cheese!
You'll be hoping for leftover mashed potatoes once you try them!