Mashed-potato Cakes

Cook's Country, as I recall.

Ingredients

2½ lbs Russetts, peeled, cut lengthwise in ¼" pieces (slabs)
1 tbsp salt
- water to cover potatoes by 1" in pan
 
1 oz (½ cup) finely grated parmigiano reggiano
1 egg yolk
¼ cup chopped chives, fresh
¾ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
 
2 eggs beaten in a pie plate
2 cups panko in a pie plate
½ cup oil in a 12" skillet
 
- sour cream

Preparation

1. Bring pot to boil, then reduce to medium low for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Drain and return to pan to cool. Add the second set of ingredients.

2. Mash in sauce pan until smooth (no milk, no butter). Refrigerate for 1 hour.

3. Using a ½ cup measure, measure and scoop potato mixture out and form pucks the size of your ½-cup measure, about ¾" thick. Coat with egg, then dredge in panko and pack the crumbs well all around. Set aside on a plate while warming ½ cup oil (5 minutes) to medium high.

Fry 3 minutes on first side until dark golden brown, carefully turn over and fry 2 more minutes until golden brown on the opposite side. Do not crowd skillet. Clean skillet (including wiping it clean) before frying any left over cakes or, at least, strain out the burnt panko crumbs and replace the oil (back to ½ cup).

Top generously with sour cream and serve.