Making potato cakes(?)

The author rediscovered their passion for cooking and is experimenting with new techniques, particularly making potato cakes. Their initial attempts stemmed from a failed mashed potato endeavor. The first try involved undercooked Yukon Gold potatoes, resulting in cakes that fell apart during flipping due to excess starch and burning oil. Baking them yielded slightly better, but still undercooked, results. The author's second attempt started with perfectly made mashed potatoes. Despite using the mashed potatoes, the cakes still failed, as the parmesan cheese burned and separated. The author is determined to perfect the potato cakes, driven by the challenge of rectifying a previous cooking mistake. Their attempts highlight the importance of proper potato cooking and the challenges of achieving the desired texture in potato cakes. The author has tried both frying and baking as cooking techniques. They are still searching for the right method to make these potato cakes successfully. The persistence emphasizes the chef's dedication to improving their culinary skills. This entire journey is driven by the desire to repurpose mashed potato leftovers.