In a generously sized mixing bowl, mingle the leftover colcannon or classic mashed potatoes with the beaten egg. Give it a good stir until it's all cozy and fully acquainted.

Sprinkle the flour over the potatoes like a magic trick, one tablespoon at a time. Watch the flour disappear into the potatoes and mix it well. Make sure the potatoes are coated with flour before adding another tablespoon. It's like hosting a tiny flour party in the mixing bowl!

Stir in the cheese and mix it well, like you're introducing two old friends at a party. Then add some salt and pepper, but not too much - we want flavor, not drama!

Get your cookie scoop ready and shape the mashed potato dough into fancy pancakes, about 3 inches wide each. Place them on a baking sheet or platter (make sure it will fit in the fridge or freezer). Keep going until all the potato mixture is transformed into delicious pancakes. Then put them in the fridge/freezer for 5-10 minutes, just until they're a bit chilled and firm, but not until they become potato popsicles.

Add the panko to a shallow bowl and gently shake it into a single layer.

Coat each of the patties thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs, like you're giving them a cozy little blanket. Then, send them back to the baking sheet for a chill session in the freezer - it's like a spa day for your patties. Let them freeze for an extra 5-10 minutes. Trust me, if they're too soft, they'll be as delicate as a panda on a balance beam when you fry them.

Heat up a large nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Drizzle some olive oil and ensure the bottom is well coated. When the oil is hot and starts to move across the surface, it's ready for frying.

Working in batches, gently place the potato cakes in the hot skillet. Let them cook until they turn golden brown on the bottom, which should take about 3-4 minutes. It's their time to shine!

Carefully handle the patty gently and flip it gracefully with a spatula. Let the colcannon cakes cook on the other side for 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown.

Transfer the patties to a dish lined with paper towels. Keep frying the patties in this way until you have fried all of them. It's a fun patty celebration! 😄