Recipes Improv on Gatto di Pattati

I often make an Italian dish called Gatto di Pattati (potato cake) Saturday dinner needed to use up some things in the fridge. My improvisation on the recipe, which is for 4-6 ended up being consumed by 3 people, who all complained after of eating to much. Takes about an hour to make and about 40 minutes in a convection oven to cook.

2lbs of floury potatoes (I use em with the skins on but some prefer them without. In that case adjust the quantity to account for the peeling process)
1/2 lb well smoked cheddar or similar - coarsely grated
1-2 oz of reggiano parmesan - finely grated
4 large eggs well beaten
1 large onion peeled and chopped very fine
about 2 generous tbsp. of Avocado oil
1/4 cup butter just barely melted (I usually take off heat when about half the butter has melted and let sit)
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 thick strips or equivalent of Canadian side bacon chopped fine
Salt (I use pink Himalayan) and fresh Cracked pepper. I have to guess a bit at this as I just put an amount in the palm of my hand that looks about right and taste from there. I suggest its probably a heaping teaspoon of each but much easier to add a bit after than take it out at the end.

Preheat oven (I use the convection oven in my AGA) set at 350

Peel and quarter the potatoes and steam them til tender.
Saute the onions in the Avocado oil til translucent (about 5min) then puree in a blender if you like a smooth consistency (or put 'em in chopped just tastes slightly different)

In a bowl mix the beaten eggs, whipping cream cheeses ,cooked onions, bacon and about half of the salt and all the pepper. Mix all together very well and allow to sit for at least 20 minutes.

Melt the butter and have ready to help mash the potatoes. Place potatoes in a bowl large enough to take the potatoes and the egg mixture with room enough to mix. Pour butter on top spreading it around add the salt then Mash the potatoes til they have no lumps. Add the egg mixture and mix really well with a big spoon. I mean REALLY well mixed. I add a bit more salt to taste.

I use a 10" diameter by 3" deep round baking dish that has been greasedwith the leftovers from the melted butter pot. I bake it in my convection oven at the top of the oven for about 40 minutes. The top should be a nice even golden brown and a knife in the middle should come out clean.

I actually made a double recipe and baked a second dish while we were eating the first as its great cold too.

Enjoy

That sounds delicious but extremely bad for my waistline

Jx

@Jeanette .....LOL perhaps you are right BUT I live on a hi fat low carb diet. keeps all 6 feet of me at a nice trim 12 stone......... counter to the paradigm of the last half of the 20th century I know but works for me and the science is there now.

For those who still like the hi carb paradigm, perhaps better as a party dish,

This is one of the few medium carb dishes I eat.

I don't specifically eat low anything foods and certainly not sugar substitutes

I aim for moderation in everything but get carried away unfortunately...........and some say I should be

Jx

The RSPCA will be taking more than a passing interest in this if you are seriously using a cat in this recipe....
The Italian for cake is torta .
Buon appetito
John D.