Your leftover mashed potatoes are probably gone by now, but here are some ideas for the next time.
This is from scratch -- so omit the mashing of the potato part.
Walnut-Crusted Potato and Blue Cheese Cakes
Serving Size : 6
2 lbs small red potatoes, halved
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons chopped walnuts
2 slices sourdough bread
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
Place potato halves and garlic clove in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Return potato halves and garlic clove to pan. Add blue cheese and next 4 ingredients (through black pepper); mash with a potato masher to desired consistency. Cool slightly. Shape the potato mixture into 12 (1/2-inch-thick) cakes; set aside.
Place walnuts and bread in a food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs form. Place in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Dredge potato cakes in breadcrumb mixture.
Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 6 potato cakes, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove cakes from pan; cover and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and 6 potato cakes.
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Potato Spinach Balls
4 Idaho Potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup flour
salt and pepper to taste
cooking spray
Lightly brush a baking tray with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the potatoes, spinach and eggs. Beat with mixer until well-blended. Season with nutmeg and cayenne pepper. Add the cheese and 4 tablespoons of the flour. Stir until flour is well-blended. Spread the remaining flour onto a glass plate and season with salt and pepper.
Using two teaspoons, form the spinach mixture into 1-inch balls. Drop the spinach balls onto the flour-covered plate. Roll balls in the flour to coat and place on the prepared baking sheet. Place the tray in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before baking.
Preheat oven to 450° F. Remove balls from the refrigerator; spray them lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. serve plain, or sprinkle balls with lemon juice.
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Potato Puffs
6 eggs, separated
3 cups warm mashed potatoes
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
Salt and pepper, to taste
Spray six (1 cup) ramekins or oven-proof bowls with vegetable spray; set aside. Beat egg yolks; blend in mashed potatoes, parsley and onion. Add salt and pepper. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold into potato mixture. Spoon mixture into prepared ramekins. Bake at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
For a change of taste, stir 1 can (7.5 oz/213 g) salmon or tuna, drained and flaked or 1-1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken into mashed potato mixture before folding in beaten egg whites.
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Potato Corn Cakes with Salsa
2 cups mashed potatoes
2 cups corn kernels
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup canola oil
Combine potatoes, corn and egg; mix well with a spoon. Place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Form mixture into patties; dip each pattie in bread crumbs, coating both sides.
Over medium heat, in a large non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons canola oil until hot. Fry the patties, a few at a time, for 2 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom; flip and cook another 2 minutes on the second side. (If flatter, more crispy cakes are desired, flatten cakes while cooking with a metal spatula).
Transfer finished cakes to a baking sheet and keep in a warm oven (200 degrees) until all cakes are cooked. Transfer cakes to a serving platter and serve with salsa.