Faux-tato Pancakes!

Growing up in the mid-West, potato pancakes were a leftover side dish we often were served after having had mashed potatoes the previous night. I loved them! Crispy on the outside, but still obviously soft and creamy mashed potatoes on the inside. My husband, who is not diabetic, often makes potato pancakes for himself from his leftover (and famous) mashed potatoes. He's really quite an expert at making them. Since I choose to no longer eat white potatoes because they spike my blood sugar, I have not indulged in this delicacy for many years, but look on from afar with just a touch of envy. One day, he wondered aloud if I might be able to make "faux-tato" pancakes from the wonderful mashed cauliflower that I eat in place of potatoes. Using some leftover mashed cauliflower I just happened to have in the refrigerator, we were able to put his idea to the test...and the result was spectacular!! The taste and consistency closely matches my memory of this favorite childhood dish. The mid-Western girl in me is very happy and satisfied by this new discovery!

"Faux-tato" Pancakes!

Makes 3 large pancakes

1 cup mashed cauliflower, seasoned to your liking (see my recipe here)

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil

Extra add-ins or toppings (optional): chopped chives, crumbled bacon, cooked crumbled sausage, finely chopped spinach, frozen petite peas (thawed), chopped herbs, finely chopped onions, shredded cheese, sour cream or gluten-free gravy (use these as toppings only).

1. Mix the mashed cauliflower and egg until thoroughly combined. Heat a skillet to medium heat, add ghee or oil and spoon out large dollops of the mashed cauliflower and egg mixture, and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon to form the pancakes.

2. Allow the pancakes to fry in the pan until brown and crispy. (Don't be in a hurry or try to flip the pancakes too soon or they will fall apart. This step may take several minutes. Just watch carefully and turn down the heat if the pancakes are browning too quickly.) 

3. When the first side has browned nicely and the cauliflower mixture has begun to solidify a bit, carefully turn the pancakes with a spatula and continue cooking the second side until brown and crispy.  Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information per pancake (not including any optional add-in or topping): 79 calories, 4.2 g carbohydrate (1.9 g dietary fiber, 1.8 g sugars), 5.5 g total fat (2.9 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 73 mg cholesterol, 76 mg sodium, 26.6 mg calcium, 247 mg potassium, 4.3 g protein. Net carbs per serving: 2.3 grams

Recipe by Kathy Sheehan, copyright 2016