Email to Cat      

Crispy Potato Croquettes

Source of Recipe

From "The Secret Ingredient Cookbook" by Kelly Senyei


Recipe Introduction

"If turning leftover mashed potatoes into inventive dishes was an Olympic sport, let's just say I'd be somewhere between Michael Phelps and Simone Biles. I've dreamt up more than a dozen ways to transform surplus spuds into something other than, well, surplus spuds. Deep-fried croquettes are at the top of the list. I've mixed in grated zucchini as a veggie surprise, but you can add whatever spare vegetable, meat, cheese, or herbs you have stashed in your fridge. Pro tip: Finely dice any add-ins to ensure your croquettes form cohesive balls and stay intact while frying."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 1 medium yellow zucchini
â—¦ 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
â—¦ 2 large eggs, whisked
â—¦ ¼ cup chopped scallions
â—¦ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
â—¦ 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
â—¦ ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
â—¦ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
â—¦ 1 ½ cups finely ground breadcrumbs
â—¦ Vegetable oil, for frying
â—¦ Ranch dressing, for serving


Recipe

Grate the zucchini on the small holes of a box grater. Transfer to a towel and wring out as much liquid as possible. Measure out 1 lightly packed cup of zucchini and transfer to a large bowl.

Add the mashed potatoes, eggs, scallions, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the zucchini. Spread the breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl.

Pour about 3 inches of vegetable oil into a large heavy-bottomed stockpot. Attach the deep-fry thermometer to the pot and set over medium-high heat. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.

Using a large spoon, scoop out one 3-tablespoon portion of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Add the ball to the breadcrumbs, turning to coat. Repeat with the remaining mixture.

Once the oil reaches 360° F, add several croquettes to the pot and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the croquettes to the prepared baking sheet and immediately season with salt. Repeat the frying process with the remaining croquettes, ensuring that you do not overcrowd the pan and that you return the oil to 360° F between batches. Serve the croquettes warm with ranch dressing for dipping.

Makes 6 servings