Shelly's Recipe

GATTO DI PATATE (Mashed Potato Cake)

Category: Mashed Potatoes

4 lb Potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 tsp salt
4 eggs, lightly beaten
6 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra
1/2 cup grated pecorino romano cheese
1 cup chopped boiled ham
4 slices Napoli salami, chopped
1/2 cup diced caciocavallo or provolone cheese
2/3 cup diced mozzarella
1/2 cup freshly chopped Itlaian
Salt & pepper
1/3 cup dried bread crumbs
1 tbsp salt
1 cup milk

Cook the potatoes in lightly salted boiling water until very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Preheat oven to 375.

Pass the potatoes through a food mill or ricer into a large bowl. Cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs, milk, butter, pecorino, ham, salami, caciocavallo or provolone, mozzarella and parsley. Season well with salt and pepper and mash together until creamy.

Grease the bottom and sides of a 10 inch round baking pan or springform pan with at least 3 inch sides with butter. Coat with bread crumbs. Turn potato mixture into the pan and smooth down evenly. Sprinkle lightly with bread crumbs, and then gently press bread crumbs into the potato mixture.

Bake for 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes. Pass the thin blade of a knife along the inside edge of the pan and, holding securely, invert the pan. Serve hot, at room temperature, or cold.