Potato and Cheese Pancake (Frico)
Video Stats
Recipe Overview
Overview
This Potato and Cheese Pancake, or Frico, is a delightful dish that brings together the comforting flavors of potatoes and cheese. The recipe starts with boiling potatoes until they are fork-tender, which is crucial for achieving the right texture. Once cooked, the potatoes are mixed with sautéed onions and cheese, creating a rich and savory filling.
The choice of cheese is important; while traditional recipes call for Montasio, mozzarella works beautifully as well. The key is to use low moisture mozzarella to avoid excess liquid, which can prevent that perfect golden crust. As you mix the ingredients, you want to keep some potato chunks for texture, making each bite satisfying.
Cooking the pancake in a non-stick skillet ensures it doesn’t stick and allows for easy flipping. The result is a crispy, cheesy delight that is hard to resist. It’s best enjoyed warm, but letting it cool slightly enhances its ability to hold together. This dish is not only a fantastic way to use up potatoes but also a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Whether you’re serving it as a main dish or a side, this Potato and Cheese Pancake is sure to impress. It’s a simple yet indulgent recipe that showcases the beauty of Italian comfort food.
Recipe Details
Steps & Tips
Cut peeled potatoes into large chunks.
Add potatoes to a pot of cold water and bring to a boil, cooking until fork tender.
Tip: Add a generous pinch of salt to the water when cooking potatoes to flavor them from the inside out.
Dice and sauté a yellow onion in a little butter until cooked, then set aside.
Tip: Use low moisture mozzarella for a better texture and to avoid excess liquid in the dish.
Grate or cut low moisture mozzarella into small cubes.
Mash the cooked potatoes with a fork until somewhat chunky.
Add black pepper and optional cooked speck or pancetta to the potato mixture.
Tip: Using a non-stick skillet is key to prevent sticking when cooking with cheese.
Tip: Crisp up any added meat like speck or pancetta before mixing it into the potato mixture for better flavor.
Preheat a non-stick skillet with light olive oil.
Add cheese to the skillet and mix with the potato mixture using a fork.
Cook the mixture in the skillet, stirring until the cheese is melted.
Flatten the mixture in the skillet with a fork.
Cook until the bottom is golden brown, adjusting heat as necessary.
Tip: Look for a deep golden brown crust as an indicator that the pancake is ready to flip.
Use a pizza pan to flip the pancake and return it to the skillet.
Cook the other side for an additional 7 to 10 minutes until golden brown.
Tip: Let the pancake cool a bit before serving to help it hold together better.
Flip the pancake onto a plate and let it cool slightly before serving.
Ingredients
Ingredient: Dairy
→ Substitution: Almond Milk
Ingredient: Gluten
→ Substitution: Gluten-Free Flour Blend
Nutrition
Skill Level
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.
Got a Recipe Question? Ask Away!
Interesting Tidbits
- •Frico is a traditional dish from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy.
- •Using low moisture mozzarella helps achieve a golden crust without excess liquid.
- •Cooking potatoes until fork tender ensures the best texture for the pancake.
- •This dish can be made vegetarian by omitting meat like speck or pancetta.
