Chew: Michael Symon's Ham and Cheese Tater Tots

By pavaldez

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• Canola oil for deep-frying
• 1/2 cup grated white cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup ham cubed
• Panko bread crumbs for breading

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a small saucepan, combine the butter with ¼ cup water over high heat. When the water comes to a simmer and the butter is melted, add the flour. Reduce the heat to medium and stir until the resulting paste pulls away from the sides of the pan, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Add the egg to the pan and stir vigorously until the egg is incorporated into the flour mixture. Stir in the mashed potatoes and let cool.

2. Pour enough oil into a medium pot so that the oil comes 3 inches up the sides. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F.

3. While the oil heats, gently fold the ham and cheese into the potato mixture. Using two soup spoons, shape the mixture into quenelles, or 2-inch footballs. (You should end up with about 35.) Roll in the panko. Deep-fry, working in batches and turning once, until crisp, brown, and heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.