Food Waste Intelligence

This post is part of a new series looking at ideas for repurposing commonly overproduced menu items.

At Leanpath, we see a lot of potato waste across many of the foodservice organizations we work with. One of our largest customers recently recorded over 21,000kg of potato waste in one year. In many cases, food waste from low cost ingredients like potatoes and other starches or vegetables is considered low priority, but when labor and disposal fees are considered, there is a huge opportunity to cut costs and reduce environmental impact by giving more consideration to these ingredients. 

Repurposing leftover mashed potatoes is a great way to reduce food waste and get creative with your kitchen creations. So long as the mashed potato has been held to a safe temperature and environment, this humble food item can be the catalyst for a broad range of delicious, low waste menu creations. Here are some top ways a  professional kitchen can repurpose leftover mashed potatoes.

Potato Cakes or Croquettes: Mix the mashed potatoes with some flour, eggs, and seasoning to form patties. Shallow or deep fry them until golden brown and crispy. Serve them as a side dish or appetizer with a dipping sauce. Make them a regular but changing feature on the menu by adding different herbs and spices on rotation to compliment different cuisines. How about Thai influenced potato cakes with lemongrass, cilantro and Ginger, or a Spanish take with garlic and smoked paprika.

Shepherd's Pie: Use the mashed potatoes as a delicious topping for a traditional shepherd's pie. Layer the leftover mashed potatoes over cooked ground meat,  vegetables and a rich gravy, then bake until heated through and the top is golden. Options for a potato topped pie like this are endless. How about a smoked fish and bechamel sauce Ocean Pie or a potato topped vegan chili. 

Potato Soup: Add some stock, milk or cream, and your choice of vegetables and seasonings to the mashed potatoes. Heat everything together until you have a creamy and comforting potato soup. Mashed potato can also be used to naturally thicken any other soups you may have as favorites on your menu!

Potato Dumplings or Gnocchi: Mix the mashed potatoes with flour, egg, and salt to create a dough. Roll the dough into small balls or gnocchi shapes and cook them in boiling water until they float to the surface. Serve with your favorite sauce or pan fry before adding to sauce to elevate the texture!

Potato Pancakes: Similar to potato cakes, you can make savory potato pancakes by adding grated onions, eggs, and a bit of flour to the mashed potatoes. Flatten them out on a pan and fry them until crispy and serve with sour cream, applesauce or any other dip that takes your fancy! This could replace one or more of the bread items on your menu, leading to less possibility for food waste!

Potato Filling for Pastries: Use the mashed potatoes as a filling for savory pastries like empanadas or hand pies. Add some cooked meat or plant based protein, vegetables, and spices to create a hearty filling. Potato is used this way in many cuisines and cultures, most notably in India where it is married with herbs and spices to give a comforting yet fragrant menu option

Potato Breakfast Hash: Incorporate the mashed potatoes into a breakfast hash by sautéing them with diced vegetables, cooked meat, and spices. Top it with a fried or poached egg for a delicious breakfast, brunch or lunch.

Potato Bread: Add mashed potatoes to your bread dough for extra moisture and a soft texture. It can make your bread more flavorful and tender while increasing yield.

Potato Quesadillas: Use the mashed potatoes as a filling for quesadillas along with cheese, vegetables, and any leftover meat. Cook until the tortillas are crispy and the filling is heated through. Spiced mash potato is often used as filling in a Dosa in southern Asia. Be brave and confident in your creativity to push the boundaries of how mashed potatoes can be repurposed. 

Remember to adjust the seasonings and flavors according to your preferences and the dish you're creating. With a bit of creativity, you can turn those leftover mashed potatoes into endless flavorsome variations of the dishes listed above, creating exciting and tasty new dishes along the way.

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