What to do with all that delicious leftover mashed potato…? More a hack than a recipe, all you need is a baker’s/food ring mold and some duck fat to turn those everyday mashed into something special. If you don’t already have food ring molds in your kitchen toolbox, you will find them to be very useful for plating and presenting a variety of molded or layered dishes from mashed potatoes or latkes and other vegetables; rice dishes, seafood salads, desserts, and thick salsas like Avocado Melon Salsa. (See *Note below.)

Ingredients
1/3-1/2 cup of cold mashed potatoes per person
2+ tablespoons duck fat (available at many supermarkets or your local butcher), or any neutral high-heat cooking oil like Canola. Duck fat is highly recommended for flavor if you’re not on a vegetarian diet.

Method
Using a 3-inch food ring, press the cold mashed potatoes into the ring with a spoon until you have a 1-inch patty. Using the spoon, gently press the patty out of the ring and set aside. Repeat until you have the number of patties you want to serve. Set aside.

Using a cast iron or other heavy bottom skillet, heat the duck fat over medium-high heat until it is shimmering. You want it hot! Using a spatula, carefully slide the patties onto the skillet (beware the splatters!) pressing down gently to ensure an even brown crust develops on each patty. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom of the patty is golden brown and crusty. (Add another tablespoon of duck fat if the skillet is too dry.) Carefully flip each patty and cover the skillet with a lid for another 3-4 minutes to thoroughly heat the patties and create a nice crust.

Now have fun and be creative with your presentation.

*Note: you can find food ring molds online at Amazon or Webstaurant Store.