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Potato Puffs

A sort of deep-fried gnocchi that I was first served—sans onion—dipped in sugar, as a dessert. I like these better, however, as a side dish, with a roast. Old-fashioned and killer. Other vegetables you can prepare this way: substitute carrots or sweet potatoes for all or some of the white potatoes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 cup minced onion
Corn, grapeseed, or other neutral oil for deep-frying

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Boil the potatoes in salted water to cover until soft, at least 15 minutes. Drain, then mash them well or put them through a food mill or ricer. Combine with the remaining ingredients except the oil. (You can prepare this mixture several hours ahead if you like; cover and refrigerate.)

    Step 2

    Put at least 1 inch, preferably 2 inches, of oil in a heavy skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the oil to a temperature between 325 and 350°F. Roll the potato mixture out on a floured surface and, using a cookie cutter or glass, cut into 2-inch circles; or simply roll into small balls with your hands.

    Step 3

    Fry the circles or balls until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

The Best Recipes in the World by Mark Bittman. © 2005 by Mark Bittman. Published by Broadway Books. All Rights Reserved. MARK BITTMAN is the author of the blockbuster The Best Recipes in the World (Broadway, 2005) and the classic bestseller How to Cook Everything, which has sold more than one million copies. He is also the coauthor, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, of Simple to Spectacular and Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef. Mr. Bittman is a prolific writer, makes frequent appearances on radio and television, and is the host of The Best Recipes in the World, a 13-part series on public television. He lives in New York and Connecticut.
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