Irish potato pancakes are delicious and a wonderful way to use leftover mashed potatoes. They are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. This simple recipe offers two ways to cook them; fried in a heavy based pan or oven baked. They make the perfect accompaniment for any meal; made ahead with bacon or baked beans for breakfast, or with sausages or any meat for lunch. Just add a dollop sour cream and some finely chopped chives and they are ready.

Irish Potato Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup starchy potato, like Coliban or King Edward, grated coarsely
• 1 cup of cold mashed potato
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 Tblsp butter for frying

Method:

1. Peel the potatoes and roughly grate them
2. Squeeze out the starchy liquid by pressing the grated potato using some cheesecloth or kitchen paper. The grated potato should be dry.
3. Place the grated potato and cold mashed potato into a large bowl
4. Sift the flour and baking powder together and add to the bowl
5. Add  the teaspoon of salt and freshly ground black pepper
6. Pour the buttermilk into the mixture and stir through until thoroughly combined

Pan Fried Irish Potato Pancakes:

1. Using a heavy based fry pan on a medium low heat, melt the butter and when foaming, drop a 1/4 cup of the mixture onto the fry pan forming it into a  pancake shape
2. Cook slowly on medium low until the bottom is well browned and then turn using a broad spatula, and cook the other side
3. When the pancakes are nicely golden remove to a plate lined with paper towel then serve

Oven Baked Irish Potato Pancakes:

1. To oven bake the potato pancakes, first Preheat oven to 200º C
2. Line a heavy baking tray with baking paper
3. Butter egg rings and place them on the baking paper
4. Spoon the potato mixture to fill the egg rings
5. Place into a preheated oven and bake until golden brown underneath then turn with a spatula and brown the other side
6. Remove from the oven and using a sharp knife, carefully remove the pancakes and serve
7. Serve the Irish potato pancakes as an accompaniment at any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner.
8. Irish pancakes can also be frozen when cooked. Just place the hot pancakes on a piece of baking paper and when cold, place the paper and pancakes into an ovenproof container or zip lock bag into the freezer. When you need them, just re-heat them in the oven at 165-170ºC F