Potato Chive Cake

Preparation

1. Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt. Cook until just fork tender. Drain.

2. Mash the potatoes, skins and all, until they are roughly broken up. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and a grate or two of nutmeg if using. Mash the oil into the potatoes until they come together. Add a teaspoon more oil if the potatoes look dry. Fold in the chives with a spatula until well blended.

3. Heat a cast iron or non-stick skillet over a medium high heat. When hot, brush with the remaining olive oil (about 2 teaspoons). Add a little of the potato. If it sizzles the oil is hot enough to cook the cake.

4. Tip all the mash into the skillet and form into a rough flat round. Pull the edges away from the side of the pan. Turn the heat down to medium and cook for about 5-8 minutes. Turn with a metal spatula and brown the other side. If it breaks, it doesn’t matter. Just form the potato back into a cake. Cook another 8-10 minutes. Loosen the sides and turn onto a plate. Serve.

Ann's Tips and Tricks

You can make one big thick cake as described or individual ‘silver dollars’ as shown.    If you like butter, mash the same quantity of it with the potatoes instead of olive oil. If you use butter, definitely mash in some nutmeg. Use olive oil to brown the cake. If the mash is at room temperature, cover the pan with a lid for the first 5 minutes.