Monday, December 5, 2011

Masala Potato Croquettes

Yum
 I was very happy when the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program sent me coupons to try Simply Potatoes.   I have used their products in the past and they are a great help when you need to get dinner on the table quickly.  Simply Potatoes is a line of refrigerated prepared potato dishes. You can choose from several varieties of mash potatoes, hash browns, wedges and sliced potatoes.   I used my coupons to get two of the Country-style mash potatoes. The first package was eaten upon arriving home from the store because I needed to make lunch fast.  I paired the Simply Potatoes Mashed Potatoes with some rotisserie chicken and lunch was on the table in a few minutes.  The 2nd package of mashed potatoes was waiting for me to make something extra special out of them.  I was excited to make these Masala Potato Croquettes.  These spicy croquettes are breaded with an extra crispy coating on the outside and the inside is filled with  fluffy spicy potato, onion and green chilies.  It's always a hit with my family and they were waiting for me to hurry up and take my pictures so they could dive in and enjoy.  My kids and husband devoured the entire plate of potato croquettes with some mango chutney leaving me only some crumbs behind. I guess I should be happy they loved it some much, but they could have left me some.  Good thing I ate a few to taste test right out of the fryer.. it's good to be the cook sometimes.:)

 Ingredients:
1 package of Country Style Mashed Potatoes
1/2 medium onion chopped finely
2-3 green chilies chopped finely (seeded)
1 Tbs of minced curry leaves
1/2 Tbs of minced fresh mint leaves
1 tsp of Garam Masala Powder
1Tbs ginger/garlic paste
red chili flakes to taste
1/2 tsp of cumin seeds ground by hand
salt to taste and a lot of black pepper
1-2 tsp of fresh lime juice
1 egg for coating
favorite style bread crumbs for coating (I used Panko)

Directions:
Take your cumin seeds and grind it into a coarse grind.  I like using a mortar and pestle for this step.






 Heat a skillet on medium heat. Add 2-3 tsp of oil and bloom your cumin seeds for a few seconds (careful not to burn)
 Then add your ginger/garlic paste, onions, green chilies, mint and curry leaves.
 Once the onions begin to soften, add your garam masala powder, red chili flakes, salt and pepper.  Lower the heat to medium-low and allow all the ingredients to cook down for a few minutes.

Next add your prepared mash potatoes.  It's easy with the use of Simply Potatoes. No need to boil potatoes or clean potatoes.  I just opened up the package and put it into my pan.. Now these are not like using dehydrated boxed instant potatoes.. they are real mashed potatoes.  :)

 



Mix the mash potatoes with all the ingredients.  Then add your fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon at a time and taste if you like the flavor.  I used both teaspoons of lime juice in the end.  Taste for seasoning and then turn off the stove.  You need to allow this mixture to really cool down.  I let it sit on the stove for a little while and then put it in the fridge for almost a hour to chill.  Cold potatoes are easier to make into the balls shapes.  


 Make your potato balls about the size of walnuts.
 Then dip them into a well beaten egg and coat the outside.
 Roll them in bread crumbs.  I wanted the outside extra crispy so I used panko breadcrumbs (Extra fluffy Japanese breadcrumbs).
Deep fry in oil for a minute until golden brown. Do no have your oil too hot (about 350 degrees) is best.  
 Drain on a paper towel and then serve.








 I served it with some spicy and sweet mango chutney that complimented the spicy croquettes well.  Enjoy.


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21 comments:

  1. These are so easy and fast to fix! It is snack time here and the sight of these potato croquettes is making me hungry.

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  2. Mmm, these croquettes look perfect! Crunchy on the outside and all warm and gooey and potato-y on the inside. And love the spices you used!

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  3. Oh wow, you combined one of my favorite Indian flavors with the lovely, comforting feel of my childhood love, croquettes :) To die for!

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  4. I couldn't have said it better than Trix did. My mouth is watering and I would really love these for dinner. What a great post ;) !

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  5. AMAZING!!! You did such a great job..love your photos!!!

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  6. Ummm.. looks so good. Good for a cold gloomy day like today.
    Chanced upon ur site.. Love your space and energy. Happy to follow you

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  7. What a fantastic way to jazz up premade mashed potatoes--they look amazing!

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  8. unique n interesting recipe...excellent cliks dear..:)
    yes, thanks for the award dear...haven't seen before..love to post soon..!
    Tasty Appetite

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  9. These croquettes sound wonderful! I love all of the different spices that have gone into them! They must taste amazing warm, crunchy on the outside and delicious in the middle ;)!

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  10. Ramona...I love Simply Potatoes! They are really great when you are short on time. But they are good! Love this recipe. Dipped in your mango chutney...even better! And yes...sometimes it's GREAT to be the cook! : )

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  11. These croquettes look amazing, Ramona! Great combination with the sweet and spicy chutney!

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  12. How amazing that you turned a tub of mashed potatoes into such a delightful bite! GREAT job on the Tastemaker program, Ramona! Congratulations!

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  13. These look fabulous, Ramona!!! So crispy and lovely...my family would love these little gems. And the Simply Potatoes make them easy on a week night :)

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  14. The croquettes look so good and that chutney is killing me. You blew me away with this one.

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  15. Oh my gosh, this looks so good, Ramona! I can just imagine how delicious these croquettes are dipped in that chutney!

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  16. I can only imagine how many of these I would have to make for my family. Paired with the chutney these are heavenly. Looking forward to making them.

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  17. Looks so delish. Must try & will let U know.
    This is the 1st time I visited your blog. Tks
    for sharing.

    Suzanney

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  18. I have been wanting to try my hand at potato croquettes for a long time, I just never manage to do it. I love that you used Garam Masala in these! I bet they were sooo good!

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  19. HA HA! It is so true, isn't it? The life of a foodblogger is one of hardly ever getting to eat what we have made. By the time the pictures are done, the food is gone.

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