Mashed Potato Pancakes

First round of playoffs. We won 34-14. Not as clean as I wanted — we had two costly penalties in the second quarter that almost let the other team back in — but you don't get points deducted for ugly wins. The important thing is the next week's preparation, not last week's performance review. I spent Saturday on film and closed the laptop with one clear thing: we need to eliminate the false start under noise. That's a fixable problem. We'll fix it in practice.

Jordan Rivera's college recruitment moved significantly this week. Colorado offered a full scholarship. He came to my office Monday morning — composed, but barely — and showed me the offer letter. I told him not to decide anything until after the season. He said he wasn't planning to. He understood the assignment. That's maturity. You can teach technique. You cannot teach that.

Thanksgiving at our house this year. Mom and Hector again — I'm grateful they made the drive. Hector has been on a new medication that seems to be doing more than the last one; he ate almost a full plate, which he hadn't done in months. Mom stood at the counter watching him eat and tried to hide the relief on her face. She didn't quite succeed. Neither of us said anything about it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is let a good moment be a good moment without surrounding it with language.

Smoked a full turkey this year. Twelve hours at 250, the bird dry-brined three days before with a salt-and-herb rub under the skin. The result was the best turkey I've ever made — skin like lacquered mahogany, meat juicy through to the bone. Mom's stuffing, Lisa's mashed potatoes, Dad's calabacitas. Four people who love each other and three people who are learning to. Table for nine.

Lisa’s mashed potatoes are the kind that disappear fast — but when you’re feeding nine people and the bird was twelve hours in the smoker, there’s always a container left in the fridge by Friday morning. That’s when these come in. Taking the leftover potatoes and turning them into something crispy and new felt right after a day that was already about transformation — Hector eating a full plate, Mom’s face when he did, a table that’s still learning how to be itself. Good things deserve a second day.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 8 pancakes

Ingredients

2 cups cold mashed potatoes (leftover works best)
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter, for frying
Sour cream and chives, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Mix the batter. In a large bowl, combine the cold mashed potatoes, beaten egg, flour, cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully combined. The mixture should hold together when pressed; if it’s too loose, add flour one tablespoon at a time.
Shape the pancakes. Lightly flour your hands and a clean work surface. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the mixture and form it into a round patty roughly 1/2 inch thick. Repeat with remaining mixture. You should get 7–9 patties depending on size.
Heat the pan. Warm a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the oil or butter and let it heat until shimmering but not smoking.
Cook in batches. Working in batches to avoid crowding, place the patties in the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side without pressing down, until each side is deep golden brown and a crust has formed. Adjust heat as needed so they don’t burn before cooking through.
Drain and rest. Transfer finished pancakes to a plate lined with paper towels. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving — this helps the crust set.
Serve. Plate with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives or additional green onion. Pairs well alongside leftover turkey or a fried egg for a full next-day breakfast.

Nutrition (per serving)

Mashed Potato Pancakes — What We Do With the Leftovers From a Table for Nine