Pancakes for dinner….yep. But a different kind of pancakes. I have always loved potato patties, as we called them as kids. My dad made them a lot…..for breakfast and dinner. A crispy, fluffy potato pancake is so yummy with a fried egg on the side. Mm-m-m-m-m. My mom used to make them with ground beef and onion, added to the potato.   Sometimes she would coat them with Japanese bread crumbs called Panko. That was her version of a potato pancake. Very popular in Japan. I actually made those for my final grade in my Home Economics class in high school. I had watched mom make those things, hundreds of times. So there it was my big day in class. The entire class was watching. I’m thinking to myself, “I got this….” Uh, yeahhhhhhhhh……not so much. It was a total disaster. I forgot to drain the ground beef for one thing…added grease and all to the mashed potatoes. So right off the start, they were too soft. I carefully coated them with the bread crumbs. But then I remembered that mom first dipped them in egg, then flour, back into the egg and THEN into the breadcrumbs. I was a very shy, nervous teen and I was standing there in front of the class, ready to cry. But I had to continue on. I carefully put a couple of them into the hot oil and it splattered. Boy, did it splatter! When I went to remove them from the oil, they had completely fallen apart into greasy, crunchy pieces. I was mortified. I ended up getting a D for my final grade. Yes, a “D” in Home Economics. I went home and told my mother what had happened and in her Japanese accent she said “ohhhh, you so stupit….how you mess up? You make  D in Cooking crass? So shame, So shame”. Yes indeed, I did feel the shame. I ended up making them that night for dinner, and they turned out great. Figures. I looked at mom for approval and she said “See, so easy, but you get the D”. Then she grunted. 🙂
So, these that I made tonight, are an easy version. Leftover potatoes, shredded cheese, green onions. That is it. Very simple, very tasty. I give myself an “A”. Enjoy…..

Potato Pancakes

Leftover cold mashed potatoes
green onions (as much you like)
shredded cheese (don’t overdo it)
salt, pepper, garlic powder
flour for coating

Note: you can use fresh mashed potatoes, but be sure to chill your patties after you form them. Just long enough so that they aren’t too soft.
Mix the potatoes, cheese, green onions, salt, pepper and garlic together. Form into patties. Make them as big as you like. Carefully coat them with  flour. In a large skillet, add some vegetable oil. When the oil is hot enough, carefully place the patties in the skillet. Brown on both sides till crispy. (about 2-3 minutes a side). That is it! Simple and delicious. I like mine topped with sour cream or a fried egg.