Left over make-over: Potato croquettes
It has been a while since I have posted anything. I have been so busy and exhausted from work that I haven't had found the strength in me to blog about recipes from my kitchen. The past 3 weeks have been like a roller coaster ride. With pikkujoulu season kicking in ( Little Christmas), the hotel is booked for Christmas parties almost until Christmas time. More work, less rest days but at least, more pay. :) So, I am not complaining about having more work hours. It is a blessing after all.
Going back to more important things, like food and cooking, I will be posting a recipe made out of leftovers. Christmas season is the season for parties and lots and lots of leftovers. Being the thrifty person that I am, I really hate having to throw away perfectly good food. If only I could bring home all the leftovers from work and eat them all (without getting fat), I definitely would. Haha.
Today, I will be posting a recipe that reminds me a lot of my childhood. Potato croquettes. My mom would always make potato croquettes for us when we were young because our family is a fan of Japanese food. We have this Japanese cookbook that is probably as old as I am and I remember marking the pages of the food that I would like to have on my birthday. Haha. I marked the pages with a check and the date of my birthday. But, well, it never really happened. Hahaha. I think that every time that I miss my mom and her cooking I try to re-create the food that she makes so that I feel a little bit closer to home.
Potato Croquettes
Ingredients:
Mashed Potatoes (left-overs) --> If you don't have left-over mashed potatoes, boil 4-5 skinned potatoes and then mashed them finely with butter, salt, and hot milk)
Any left-over meat dish or fish dish (Shred the meat into tiny pieces)
Any kind of vegetables you have at home, chopped (onions, carrots, garlic, peas, corn, etc.)
Cheese, chopped or grated
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 eggs, beaten
Flour
Bread crumbs
Procedure:
1. Combine mashed potatoes, shredded meat and chopped vegetables, and cheese.
2. Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Mix well. Set aside.
3. Prepare three bowls with the following in it: (this is for your bread crumb coating)
- flour
- beaten eggs
- bread crumbs
4. Form your mashed potato mixture into desired shape. It can be round, balls, oval, square or even, heart shaped! :)
5. Coat the croquettes in the following order: flour, egg, then bread crumbs last. Make sure that you coat them well. Set aside on a plate.
6. Heat a non-stick pan with oil. Fill it 3/4 full. The potato croquettes are supposed to be deep-fried. But, if you want a healthier option, you can also bake them in the oven until the coating becomes golden brown. When the oil is hot, drop your potato croquettes slowly into the oil. Be careful since we don't want hot oil splattering on your face and arms. Do not over crowd your pan because it will decrease the temperature of your oil, which leaves you with soggy and oily croquettes.
7. Fry the croquettes until it becomes golden brown.
8. Drain them off excess oil on paper towels. And, they're ready to be served and eaten!
9. You can accompany this with any dressing, dip or sauce of your choice. Something sweet and tangy is best, like a barbecue sauce. :)