No, not Chicken Nuggets...Croquettes

These are mini-croquettes. I grew up eating the larger version dipped in tonkatsu sauce. My aunt made them and she just happened to give me 2#s of potatoes yesterday - so I decided to attempt to make them.

I start by washing the potatoes, then boiling them in salted water, turn down the heat and cook for 20 minutes. I am a fan of peeling potatoes AFTER they have been boiled. This works for mashed potatoes too...WAY less watery...WAY more flavor!

While those cook I brown a 1/2 pound of ground pork (you could use ground beef, chicken, turkey, sausage, chorizo) in a little oil and season with salt and pepper.

I drain the potatoes and let them cool before I peel off the skin...Then mash them with a fork right into the pan with the ground pork. Season well - potatoes need a lot of salt. Stir in one or two Tablespoons of flour - I used Wondra because it was handy - and an egg. Combine and scoop (ice cream scooper) the mixture on to a sheet pan with panko bread crumbs (regular or Italian bread crumbs would work too). Roll and shape. Heat oil for frying. Carefully place in hot oil and cook until brown on all sides.

Transfer to a rack on a sheet pan and let cool. Eat as soon as possible!

These would be great with a stringy cheese like mozzarella or fontina. You could also flavor them to work with a little Mexican flair and serve with a chipotle sour cream. The possibilities are endless!!!