Poor Man s Crab Cakes

3 cold baked potatoes

½ cup butter

½ cup chopped bell pepper

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup diced celery

½ cup milk

1 pound imitation crabmeat, flaked and chopped

½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

¼ cup chopped fresh dill

1 pinch salt to taste

2 eggs, beaten

1 tablespoon olive oil

Split and mash the potatoes in a mixing bowl; set aside. The potato skins may be left on if desired.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat; cook and stir the bell pepper, onion, and celery in the melted butter until they begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir the milk into the mixture; pour the mixture over the mashed potatoes and stir to combine. The consistency should not be too runny. Allow the mixture to cool completely.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Add the crabmeat, Cheddar cheese, and dill to the potato mixture; season with salt. Lightly mix. Pour the beaten eggs into the mixture and stir to combine. If the mixture is too thin, bread crumbs or flour can be added to make more firm. Form the mixture into 24 small patties.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook the patties in small batches in the skillet until completely browned and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Do not flip until bottom is fully browned and crisp; this ensures the patties will not break. Transfer to a baking dish in the oven to keep hot until all are cooked. Serve hot.