Potato cakes

We're celebrating St Patrick's Day with a typically Irish feast - Rachel Allen's bacon with cabbage puree and potato cakes.

Makes 10-12 pattiesPrep: 20 minutesCook: 20 minutes

Ingredients:500g cold mashed potato (leftover work well)1 garlic clove, crushed1 large egg70g spring onions, finely chopped1 tsp chopped thyme leaves1 tbsp chopped parsleyA good knob of butter1 tsp extra virgin olive oilSea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:

• Mix the mashed potato, garlic, egg, spring onions, thyme, parsley and seasoning in a bowl, taste and adjusting seasoning if needed

• Shape the mixture into 10 or 12 small even-sized patties. Melt the butter in a frying pan with the olive oil. Fry the potato cakes (in batches if necessary) on one side until golden, then turn and fry the other side. If you use an ovenproof pan, you can finish these off in the oven at 200C / Gas Mark 6 for 5-8 minutes. Serve with the bacon slices, cabbage puree and parsley sauce.