Why it works: Parsley and pepper match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 2% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 34,122 recipes. Both carry 4'-methylacetophenone, which smells bitter almond. The science ↓
Potato Cakes
16 pattiesIngredients
Directions
Prepare
Mix all but flour and oil together in a large bowl.
Form 16 patties using 1/4 cup of the mix to about 1/3 inch thick. Use floured hands if necessary.
Coat each patty with the flour, hitting to knock off any excess of flour.
Fry and serve
Shallow fry in vegetable oil on medium to medium-high heat until deep golden brown.
If you need to, you can refrigerate the floured patties to cook an hour or so later.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 8 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | 1 cup (125g) all-purpose | 455 |
| Potato | 1 medium (173g) baked | 161 |
| Olive Oil | 1 tbsp (14g) | 119 |
| Onion | 1 medium (110g) | 44 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Garlic | 1 clove (3g) | 4 |
| Parsley | 1 tbsp chopped fresh (3.8g) | 1 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Parsley + peppertop 2% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together34,122 recipes
Shared aroma: 4'-methylacetophenone (bitter almond).
-
Potato + garlictop 4% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together4,517 recipes
Shared aroma: furaneol (caramel, strawberry).
-
Garlic + parsleytop 4% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together9,308 recipes
Shared aroma: beta-phellandrene (minty, terpene).
-
Potato + parsleytop 5% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together2,855 recipes
Shared aroma: 4'-methylacetophenone (bitter almond).
-
Garlic + peppertop 8% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together27,090 recipes
Shared aroma: beta-phellandrene (minty, terpene).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Mashed potatoes
- Provide the bulk and soft, moist body that holds the patties together.
- Garlic
- Adds aroma and savory pungency that mellows during frying.
- Flour
- Forms a dry coating that browns during frying and gives a crisp outer crust.
- Scallions
- Add mild onion flavor and freshness throughout the patties.
The step that matters
Shallow fry until deep golden brown. Frying over medium to medium-high heat lets the flour coating brown through the Maillard reaction, creating a crisp crust. Heat that is too low leaves the patties greasy and pale, while heat that is too high can scorch the flour before the centers warm through.
Swap the potato
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (garlic, parsley, pepper, flour):
- Okrafits better
- Shallotfits better
- Kalefits better
- Potatothe original
Fit is the average pairing score against garlic, parsley, pepper, flour. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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