If you have landed on this recipe through our potato blog then you will know that July 2020 in our recipe series is all about the underrated potato.
Mashed potatoes are such a heavenly comfort food. Our top tip is always making extra and keep the extra to make vegetarian potato cakes, spiced up with some eastern European flavours.
Potatoes are the basis for many dishes in the Belarusian national cuisine; there are plenty of recipes. Traditional Belarusian dishes are increasingly being enhanced by new and interesting products and sauces; becoming healthier and as tasty as ever. Belarusian fare will never disappoint!
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Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive or coconut oil
- 1 onion or 2 shallots, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 10 curry leaves
- 3 large potatoes, boiled, drained and coarsely mashed,
- 4 tablespoons cooked puy lentils
- 50g spinach washed and dried
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the quick cucumber pickle:
- 1⁄2 a cucumber, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, bashed in a pestle and mortar
- a pinch of sugar or a squeeze or agave syrup
- grated zest and juice of 1⁄2 an unwaxed lemon
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
Tzatziki (optional):
- ½ cucumber, seeds removed and grated
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tbsp mint or parsley
- 1 tbsp chive
Method
Heat a splash of oil in a frying pan on medium heat and fry the onion for about 5 minutes until they are soft and sweet.
Add the mustard seeds and stand back while they pop. Scoop out the onion mixture and put to one side to cool.
With the pan still on the heat, add the turmeric and curry leaves and fry for another minute or so, then put the whole lot into a bowl to cool slightly.
Add the mashed potato and lentils to the onions, then season and mix well. Wilt the spinach in a hot pan with a little oil then add this to the potato mixture. Divide the mixture into 4 portions and shape them into 4 potato cakes. Put them into the fridge to chill while you do a couple of other little jobs.
To make your pickle, put the sliced cucumber into a bowl and add all the other pickle ingredients. Using your hands, scrunch the cucumber slices to get the flavours going.
If you want to make tzatziki, use the other half of the cucumber. Take the seeds out and coarsely grate. Add mint or parsley, chopped chives and mix with 2 tablespoons of yoghurt or sour cream (otherwise known as smetana in Belarus). Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
For a healthy option bake the potato cakes in the oven at 190C, Gas 5 for 25 minutes until golden brown.
Alternatively, fry in a frying pan on your hob or cooker. Put your frying pan back on the heat. Take the potato cakes out of the fridge and fry them gently and carefully in a little oil for about 2–3 minutes on each side, until warmed through and crispy brown.
Serve each potato cake with a serving of smoked salmon, a spoonful of pickle, sour cream or creme fraiche on the side.
This recipe was inspired by Anna Jones. A food stylist, author and food writer.
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