Loaded Mashed Potato Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cheese (such as cheddar)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 6 strips bacon
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 4 tbsp butter or margarine

Instructions

1. In a large non-stick or ceramic frying pan, fry the bacon until crispy. Place on a paper towel to drain until cool, then crumble into small bits. Place the bacon bits into a large bowl.
2. Pour off all but 2 tbsp of bacon grease from the frying pan. Over medium heat, stir-fry the garlic and onion until soft and translucent. Add them to the bacon bits in the large bowl.
3. To the bacon and onion mixture, add the rest of the ingredients, except for the butter or margarine. Blend well with a spoon or your hands (it'll be sticky).
4. Wash and dry your frying pan, then melt 1 tbsp of butter or margarine in it over medium heat.
5. Scoop up about 1/4 of a cup of the potato mixture and form it into a ball. Place it in the hot pan, flattening it out until it's about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch thick. Fry for about 3 minutes on each side, until they are lightly golden brown.
6. Keep warm until ready to serve. For best results, serve immediately, while still crispy.