STUFFED POTATO CAKES

STUFFED POTATO CAKES
Ingredients:
For the Potato Cakes:

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup milk (optional, if needed for creaminess)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Oil for frying

For the Filling (Choose one or more):

• Cooked ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey) with seasoning
• Sauteed vegetables (bell peppers, onions, spinach, etc.) with spices
• Melted cheese
• Mashed peas or beans

Instructions:

Making the Mashed Potatoes:

1. Boil the diced potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash them thoroughly.
2. Add salt, black pepper, grated cheese, chopped chives or green onions, and butter to the mashed potatoes. Mix well. If needed, add a splash of milk to achieve a creamy consistency. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Assembling the Stuffed Potato Cakes:

1. Take a portion of mashed potatoes and flatten it in your palm to form a small patty.
2. Place a spoonful of your chosen filling in the center of the potato patty. Carefully enclose the filling by shaping the potato around it, forming a ball or cake shape.
3. Repeat the process with the remaining mashed potato mixture and filling.

Coating and Frying:

1. Prepare two shallow dishes – one with beaten eggs and another with breadcrumbs.
2. Dip each stuffed potato cake into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
3. Roll the coated cake in the breadcrumbs until it’s evenly covered.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the potato cakes in batches until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Once fried, place the potato cakes on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Serving:

Serve these delicious stuffed potato cakes hot, garnished with additional chopped chives or green onions if desired. They’re perfect as appetizers, snacks, or a tasty side dish for meals.

Feel free to experiment with different fillings to create a variety of stuffed potato cakes to suit your taste preferences!