Christmas Canape - Potato Pancakes

Asked by browngirl. Answered on 7th December 2011

Full question

I am throwing a Christmas holiday party soon and I am planning on making Nigella's Potato Cakes with Smoked Salmon from Nigella Express (p198). How long in advance can I griddle the potato pancakes? Thank you.

Our answer

There are two ways you can prepare the Potato Cakes in advance. If you have time just before the party then you can make the pancakes around 30 minutes before you want to serve them. Put the pancakes on a wire rack and pop them into a very low oven (around 80c/175F) for the 30 minutes but don't leave them for too long as otherwise they will dry out.

As party days can be quite frenetic you may prefer to make the pancakes the day before. Once the pancakes are cool put the pancakes in groups of 6 to 8, in a single layer, in the centre of large pieces of foil. Fold the edges of the foil over and seal tightly into packages then refrigerate overnight. Warm the packages of pancakes for 5 to 8 minutes in an oven that has been preheated to 150c/300F and they are ready to serve. Open the foil packages carefully as some steam can escape when you first tear the foil open.