Our favorite thing about Thanksgiving is actually the day after: when we get to enjoy all the food (in the form of leftovers) without doing any of the work. And the best Thanksgiving leftover? Mashed potatoes shaped into patties, fried until golden and served with butter, salt and pepper.
Here's what you need and how you do it
Leftover mashed potatoes
Butter
Salt
Pepper
Form the leftover mashed potatoes into patties, about the size of hamburgers. Place each one in an individual sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate over night (or for at least a few hours).
Warm griddle on medium high heat. Add butter and let it melt. When griddle is fully heated, slap down the potato patties and cook for several minutes. Flip and cook other side. Remove from heat. Add more butter, salt and pepper.
Mmm, dawgies!
P.S. Don't fret if these fall apart a bit. They're still to die for.
We do the same thing, except we had minced onion (I love using chives), an egg, and some breadcrumbs.
Great tip!
Posted by: AndreAnna | November 29, 2008 at 04:56 AM
Mmm - i usually add some egg, but yes, this is divine.
Posted by: magpie | November 29, 2008 at 05:38 AM
I'm too lazy to start these the night before. So in goes an egg, breadcrumbs & goat cheese.
Posted by: Michele | November 29, 2008 at 08:29 AM
These look yummy :)
Posted by: Nirvana | November 29, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Lol... The first time I ever made mashed potato patties for my (then) new boyfriend, he had never had them before. EVER. In fact, he had never heard of them and had not even seen one. After him observing me making them, and telling me that I didn't do this right or I should do that.. I never made the stinkin' things again.
His loss.
I really should make them again some time... and just do it when he isn't looking. Because yes... I kept him.
Posted by: Tatersmama | November 29, 2008 at 01:21 PM
My grandmother always made these for breakfast the morning after there were mashed potatoes for supper. YUM. Thanks for the nostalgia!
Posted by: Abby | November 30, 2008 at 09:01 PM
I just made these for my husband a few weeks ago. Had some left over mashed potatoes and a memory from the past popped into my head, hadn't had or made them in years. Anyway, they were a big hit and I made them again the other day with leftover's from Thanksgiving. Love your blog!
Posted by: Sheri Angell | December 01, 2008 at 05:20 PM
I'm with Abby, these bring back some great memories :) I'm tempted to make a bunch of mashed potato just to fry up the leftovers!
Posted by: Tim | December 12, 2008 at 04:53 PM
I make mine by dreging in flour first to make them crisp up a litlle first. I can remeber my mon making these for a quick dinner with just a simple fried egg on top. The yolk works as a great "gravy". Thanks for the memory!
Posted by: Tina | December 12, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Do you have to start with real mashed potatoes (from scratch) or can you use Idaho mashed potatoes from a box? I'm not even half assed; I'm sort of quarter assed in the kitchen. Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa | December 13, 2008 at 02:37 PM