Thanksgiving is somehow crazily upon us. It feels like just yesterday it was sunny and in the 70s. Well, it wasn’t quite yesterday, but here in the Detroit area, Friday was a gorgeous day of record breaking warmth. We ditched work and headed to the zoo, dinner, and grocery shopping, literally driving into the cold front on the way home. The forecast shows little hope from here, but that can always change.
I am so thankful for Friday and the many, many other days like it this year. I try to be thankful for the amazing parts of my life on a daily basis, not just for Thanksgiving, because those parts are important, they are what save me, year round, not just on one day.
I am very lucky. My parents deserve awards. I have lots of nice things, a great house to live in, and never ever have to worry where my next meal is going to come in. in my day to day life, no isn’t a word I hear when it comes to necessities and many extravagances. And for that, my heart is swollen with joy and my eyes well with tears. My parents are my world and they have and continue to do everything they can for me and with me. We are a team. We talk, we hang out, we watch movies together. We are not just family. We are best friends.
But there is this strange dichotomy in my world. One where I don’t really have people other than my parents to turn to for advice, guidance, a concert or shopping or dinner buddy. One where I told myself this would be my year when it came to my career and there were several close calls, but here I am more disappointed than ever.
Agents and Hollywood are a strange bunch. A bunch that have told me multiple times I am a good writer, but have always found an excuse to pass, to put me off, to ignore my emails. I had my “in,” I was told, and yet here I am, an outsider, stuck in Michigan when my heart is somewhere warm, preferably California.
These things aren’t to say I am ungrateful, in fact, in some ways they make me more grateful for those wonderful things. It is often hard to reconcile the two though, particularly as time goes on and I see the pain in my parents that they feel like they have failed when I am the failure.
I suppose that’s when we become thankful that there are more days to keep writing and revising, keep sending letters and taking chances, keep fighting, because as Mom tells me, I can’t give up.
It’s also when we are thankful for leftovers. I love leftovers because it means I can get a great dinner on the table in no time, giving me more time to pound away on my computer, trying my hardest to make awesome things happen.
These Baked Mashed Potato Pancakes aren’t exactly healthy even though they are baked, but baking them is super easy and doesn’t dirty any dishes since I baked them on foil. I had plenty of my Green Bean Casserole Mashed Potatoes left that I used to make these pancakes, but mashed potatoes mixed with roasted vegetables or green bean casserole will work amazing.
Baked Mashed Potato Pancakes #SundaySupper
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8-12 pancakes 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 2 cups leftover cooked vegetables or green bean casserole
- 1 large egg
- 1 container crispy fried onions, crushed
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together mashed potatoes and vegetables until combined.
- In a small bowl or dish, beat the egg. In another small bowl or dish, place the crushed crispy onions.
- Form the mashed potatoes into hockey puck sized discs. Coat each disc in the beaten egg and then the crushed onions. Place on a piece of foil and repeat until all the potatoes are used.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Pancakes may also be frozen, individually wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag, for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350 degree F oven for about 15 minutes.
Don’t forget to check out the other Sunday Supper dishes! Thanks to Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures for hosting!
APPETIZERS
- Mini Stuffing Muffins by An Appealing Plan
- Turkey Egg Rolls with Cranberry Sauce by Brunch-n-Bites
BREAKFAST
- Country Skillet Breakfast by The Freshman Cook
- Mashed Potato Craisin Bread by Baking Sense
- Sweet Potato Casserole Waffles by Sew You Think You Can Cook
DESSERT
- Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies by NinjaBaker.com
MAINS
- ‘Australian Pie’ – Leftover Turkey Pie with Raisins and Bechamel by Caroline’s Cooking
- Brie Cranberry Turkey Quesadillas by Food Lust People Love
- Bubble Up Hot Brown Casserole by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Cranberry Chipotle BBQ Chicken Pizza by A Mind “Full” Mom
- Cranberry Pork Tenderloin by The Crumby Cupcake
- Creamed Spinach Turkey Pasta by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Healthy Turkey Quesadillas with Cranberry Apple Salsa by Food Done Light
- Leftover Turkey Noodle Casserole by Cricket’s Confections
- Leftover Turkey Pasta with Mushrooms by Cooking Chat
- Turkey Alfredo Stuffed Shells by Palatable Pastime
- Turkey Broccoli and Cheddar Pot Pie by Cookin’ Mimi
- Turkey Glass Noodle Salad by Sunday Supper Movement
- Turkey Grilled Cheese with Cranberry and Brie by Life Tastes Good
- Turkey Pot Pie Casserole by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Turkey Shepard’s Pie by Monica’s Table
SIDES
- Baked Mashed Potato Pancakes by Pies and Plots
- Leftover Mashed Potato Puff Casserole by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
SOUPS
- Arroz Caldo with Turkey by Asian In America
- Bacon Egg Potato and Turkey Soup by Family Foodie
- Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Lemony Chicken-Lentil Soup with Couscous by What Smells So Good?
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
A great all in one side dish!
With your determination, I know you’ll succeed! Loving these pancakes—especially that crispy coating 🙂
Thanks, Liz! I never give up, that’s for sure.
I applaud your honest sharing, Laura. “The industry” whether you’re talking about Hollywood or publishing – can be tricky….Connections are key and it isn’t always about talent…And even with connections, there is careful dancing…So, I too, do my best to keep focusing on my many blessings….And do my best to improve my craft and write from my heart – like you! Cream does rise to the top =)
Okay , we can all use a bit of comfort…and I do believe your potato pancakes would fit the bill!
Thank you, Kim! I questioned whether I should write the post, but I have been so down and have felt like I was about to breakthrough so many times this year only to be disappointed that I felt I had to share. I do hope that I am the cream and I will rise 🙂
Certainly you are very successful! Look at all you have accomplished. I will give you that the recognition is not there quite yet in some areas but that doesn’t determine success! You do more in one week than a lot of people do in months! Just keep going forward…..
And I want one of these potato pancakes!!! WOW!
Thanks, Debbie; I appreciate your words. I think it’s hard because I feel like none of my work means anything. Hopefully one day soon it will.
Good luck in your career pursuits. You are very lucky to have great parents in your corner. And those pancakes look amazing.
I am definitely lucky with my parents, and I appreciate your kind wishes, Eileen!
Writing is a tough racket. It is SO hard to break into it. Once you get something accepted, everything gets easier. But that first step is a high one. Anyway, love potato pancakes! These looks great — thanks. And Happy Thanksgiving!
holy amazing! love mashed potatoes
We often have potato pancakes made with leftover mashed potatoes but I have always fried them and have never thought to add in my leftover green bean casserole. Thanks for the idea and good luck with you writing. One day we will all be saying we knew you when.
You’re lucky to have such amazing and supportive parents in your corner! That’s terrific! These look delicious – My grandfather used to make fried leftover mashed potato pancakes with eggs and my mom did when I was a kid, too. I love the idea of adding some vegetables in there as well.
I want to eat a whole stack of these!! PINNED!