Turn leftover potatoes into crispy delights with this recipe

Potatoes are more likely to end up on plates than grains and rice. It's no surprise, since they pair well with many meats and vegetarian patties. My kids joke that potatoes are like chameleons because you can magically transform them into many different treats. Among the household favourites are crunchy breaded bites.

Do you have cooked potatoes in the fridge that have been sitting for a while? Instead of tossing them out or reheating them again for dinner, make delicious and nutritious potato balls! It's a great way to give leftovers a second life and create a tasty snack or side dish.

Preparing potato balls takes little time and doesn't require complicated or expensive ingredients. Everyone enjoys them heartily when I make them at home, and the bowl quickly empties.

Ingredients:

• 1 kilogram of cooked potatoes,
• 2 eggs,
• 2 tablespoons of potato starch,
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour,
• breadcrumbs,
• salt and pepper,
• oil for frying.

Instructions:

1. Press the cooked potatoes through a potato ricer or mash them thoroughly. The mixture should be smooth and without lumps.
2. Add the beaten eggs, potato starch, and all-purpose flour to the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like sweet and spicy paprika, granulated garlic, or oregano.
3. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until a smooth and elastic dough forms. It should be quite dense, similar to the dough for dumplings.
4. Shape the dough into small balls, about the size of a walnut.
5. Roll them in breadcrumbs and place them into hot, deep oil.
6. Fry until they are golden brown.

After frying, place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil. You can serve them on their own, with a dip, or as a side dish instead of potatoes. Enjoy!

Besides the balls, you can create many different treats using cooked potatoes. They work well for making potato pancakes without grating or classic dumplings like our mothers and grandmothers used to make.

You can also turn cooked potatoes into a quick casserole. Slice the potatoes thickly and layer them alternately with vegetables in a baking dish, add cheese, mushrooms, bacon, and onions, and bake for about 30 minutes. This delicious and filling dish is perfect for both lunch and dinner.