Michael Symon's Plain Tater Tots

By C Moose

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 large egg
• Salt
• Oil for frying
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• Panko bread crumbs

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a small saucepan, combine the butter with 1/4 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 them 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 incorporate 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 350F.
3. Using two soup spoons, shape the mixture into quenelles or 2 inch footballs. 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.