International Potato Cake Food

FULL ENGLISH POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• Bring a big saucepan of salted water to the boil. Tip in the potatoes and simmer until almost tender, about 20 mins. Drain really well and steam dry for a few mins. Return to the pan and toss with 2 tbsp of the oil, the spring onions, thyme leaves and lots of seasoning.
• Grease your largest baking tray with some melted butter and press the potatoes into it. Put a baking sheet on top and gently press down to squash the spuds into a cake. Cover and chill until ready for breakfast.
• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Drizzle the melted butter and remaining oil over the potato cake and bake for 30 mins until golden.
• Add the bacon in a few piles and bake for another 15 mins. Dot over the tomato halves and the remaining thyme sprig, sprinkle with plenty of pepper, then crack the eggs among the gaps and bake for 5-8 mins, depending how you like your eggs.
• To serve, cut the potato cake into portions and pile onto 6 plates, along with the eggs, bacon, tomatoes and some buttered toast. Serve with brown and tomato sauce, tea and orange juice, if you like.

CRISPY POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oil and butter over medium heat in a nonstick 10-inch skillet. Once the butter is melted, sprinkle the grated potatoes into the pan in an even layer and, using a spatula, gently press them into the pan. Season with about half of the salt and pepper and let the potatoes cook without shaking or stirring the pan, until they're crisp and browned on the bottom, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Slide the potato cake onto a large plate and invert it onto another plate. Slide the potato cake back into the pan, browned side up, and season the top with the remaining salt and pepper. Continue to cook until the underside is nicely browned and the potato cake is cooked through, 7 to 9 minutes longer.
• Slide the potato cake onto a cutting board. Cut into wedges, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

IRISH POTATO CAKES

Steps:

• Combine 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes, a heaping 1/3 cup flour, 2 tablespoons milk and 1 tablespoon chopped mixed herbs in a bowl; knead until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Divide into 4 balls on a floured surface and flatten each into a 3-inch patty. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the patties and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side, adding more butter to the pan as needed. Season with salt.

BAKED POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat three 9-inch-roundcake pans with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mixes as directed; divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool.
• Make the "potato skin" frosting: Beat the butter and milk with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the cocoa powder. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, until the mixture is as thick as cookie dough. Form into 2 disks, wrap in plastic and refrigerate.
• Level the domed tops of 2 cakes with a serrated knife. Stack the flat cakes on a cardboard circle with vanilla frosting between each; use the remaining domed layer on top. Freeze 30 minutes.
• Trim the cake into a potato shape with a small serrated knife; reserve the trimmings. Cover the cake with a thin layer of vanilla frosting.
• Dust a sheet of parchment paper with cocoa powder. Remove 1 disk of chocolate frosting from the refrigerator and roll into a 5-by-10-inch oval, dusting with more cocoa. Repeat with the other disk of frosting.
• Use the parchment to press the frosting sheets against the cake as shown, leaving a few inches on top uncovered. Dust with more cocoa. (Don't worry about how the bottom of the cake looks-it will be covered with foil.)
• Gently fold back the frosting on top. Crumble about 1/2 cup of the cake trimmings (use the light inside pieces) and sprinkle them on top of the cake.
• Unwrap the candies and microwave until soft but not melted, about 12 seconds. Stack the candies, then flatten with your fingers. Set on top of the cake.
• When ready to serve, snip the mint leaves on top of the cake. Carefully wrap the bottom half of the cake with a large sheet of foil.

CRISP POTATO CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Peel the potatoes and place them in a pan of cold, salted water. Bring to the boil, simmer for 3 mins and drain. When cool enough to handle, slice a few very neatly. Coat the bottom of a round, ovenproof, non-stick pan with butter, then place a sprig of thyme in the middle. Cover with a slice of potato in the middle, then arrange the rest of the slices over the base of the pan, overlapping the slices in concentric circles. Slice the rest of the potatoes and tip into a bowl, then pour over the rest of the butter, the nutmeg and the thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together, then tip the seasoned potatoes over the arranged slices and press down gently to flatten. The potato cake can be prepared up to a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge.
• Cook the cake in the oven below the beef. Every now and then, remove it, press it down with a fish slice and drizzle the surface with a little olive oil. Cook for 1hr-1hr 15mins, until the sides look brown and crispy. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving dish or board, scatter with sea salt and serve cut into wedges.