Mashed Potato Cake
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, halved
- 3 cups stiff leftover mashed potatoes (such as Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- A few gratings of fresh nutmeg
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely grated aged cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Manchego, Dry (aged) Jack, or aged Gouda (about 1 1/4 ounces)
- Preheat the oven to 425F.
- In an ovenproof nonstick 10-inch skillet, melt 1 teaspoon of the butter over low heat.
- Add the garlic, cover, and cook gently until the garlic is translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Discard the garlic.
- Put the potatoes in a medium bowl and beat in the nutmeg, flour, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of the cheese into the skillet.
- Gently spoon the potato mixture into the pan, taking care not to dislodge the cheese, and press down with the back of a spoon to form a flat cake.
- Sprinkle the top of the cake evenly with the remaining 3 tablespoons cheese and a few grinds of pepper.
- Dot with the remaining 1 teaspoon butter.
- Place the pan over moderate heat for a couple of minutes, until the skillet is very hot and you can hear the cake sizzle.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is golden.
- Slide a blunt knife carefully between the potato cake and the sides of the pan and lift the cake slightly to see if the bottom is brown and crisp.
- If not, place the skillet on a burner over moderate heat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve the cake directly from the pan, or turn it out onto a platter: Place a plate over the pan and, holding the two together, invert them so that the cake falls out onto the plate.
- Up to 4 hours ahead, press the mashed potatoes into the prepared skillet, top with the cheese, and dot with butter.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, until the top is golden.
unsalted butter, garlic, potatoes, allpurpose, nutmeg, kosher salt, aged cheese
Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/mashed-potato-cake (may not work)