Potato Ham And Piquillo Pepper Croquetas Food

POTATO, HAM AND PIQUILLO PEPPER CROQUETAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine potatoes, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, ham, pepper, 1 egg, the yolk, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, paprika (if using) and salt. Mix well.
• Place remaining 4 eggs in a wide, shallow bowl and beat lightly. Place remaining 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs in a second bowl and flour in a third. Season bread crumbs with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Taking about 2 tablespoons of croquetas mixture at a time, form into 3-inch fingers. Dip each finger first in flour, tapping off excess. Dip in egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then bread crumbs. Transfer each finger to a large baking sheet. When you have finished forming all croquetas, cover tray with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• When ready to fry, heat 1/4-inch oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry croquetas in batches, turning once, until dark golden all over, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Transfer to paper towel-lined plates and sprinkle with additional salt, if desired. Serve hot.

POTATO CROQUETTE

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes until fork tender, and let cool for 20 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mash the potatoes. (For a creamier texture, use a potato ricer.) Add the Parmigiano cheese, chopped parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Add one egg and mix well, until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
• Grab a handful of mashed potatoes and press into logs that are 1 1/2-inches thick by 3 inches long. With your finger, create an indentation in the middle of the log and add a slice of mozzarella. Close up the logs and make sure the mozzarella is fully covered. Reshape if necessary.
• For the batter, dip potato logs in a beaten egg and cover with breadcrumbs.
• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot to 350 degrees F.
• Fry in the oil in batches until the potato croquettes are crispy and golden brown.
• Let drain on a paper towel lined plate, and serve warm.

HAM AND CHEESE CROQUETTES

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix the potatoes, 1/4 cup flour, cheese, and ham with a large rubber spatula until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste and divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Rub your hands with a small amount of flour and form the portions into small flat disks about 1/2-inch thick. Use just enough flour to keep the potatoes from sticking to your hands, but do not coat them completely.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Shallow-fry the croquettes, turning once, until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Let the croquettes cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
• Cook's Note: This recipe doubles easily if you have enough leftover potatoes.

HAM AND POTATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 350 degrees.
• COOK onion and green pepper in margarine until tender.
• STIR in flour and pepper.
• ADD milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• REDUCE heat and add cheese and mayo; stir until cheese melts.
• ADD potatoes and ham; put into casserole dish.
• BAKE for 30 minutes.