Mashed Potato Pancakes with Ground Beef Filling (Print version)

Crispy mashed potato pancakes stuffed with seasoned ground beef, pan-fried until golden and served hot with sour cream or a simple salad.

# Ingredients:

For the ground beef filling

01 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil
02 - 1/2 lb (225 g) ground beef
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or scallions

For the potato pancakes

10 - 3 cups (720 g) cold mashed potatoes
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1/3 cup (42 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
13 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 3-4 tablespoons neutral oil, for pan-frying
16 - Sour cream or plain yogurt, for serving, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and onion and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and the onion is soft.
02 - Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the pan looks almost dry. Stir in parsley or scallions, then transfer to a plate and cool for 10 minutes.
03 - In a bowl, mix cold mashed potatoes, egg, flour, salt, and pepper. The mixture should be soft but shapeable. Add 1 tablespoon more flour if it is too sticky to hold.
04 - Dust your hands with flour. Flatten a scoop of potato dough into a thick round, add about 1 rounded tablespoon beef filling, then close the potato around it and gently flatten into a pancake.
05 - Heat a thin layer of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the pancakes in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden and crisp. Do not crowd the pan.
06 - Transfer the pancakes to a rack or paper towel. Serve hot with sour cream, plain yogurt, parsley, or scallions.

# Good to know:

01 - Cold mashed potatoes work best because they hold their shape.
02 - Cook the beef filling before stuffing so the pancakes only need to brown and heat through.
03 - Makes about 8 stuffed pancakes, or 4 servings.

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