CRISPY POTATO BALLS

Crispy Potato Balls image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 1h25m

Yield 12 balls

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Mashed Potatoes, recipe follows, cold
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying
Kosher salt
5 pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, plus more for topping
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup half-and-half, or more if desired
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Steps:

Mix together the Mashed Potatoes, flour, egg, parsley, Parmesan, mozzarella and black pepper in a bowl. Place the breadcrumbs on a large plate.
Form the potato mix into 12 golf-ball-sized balls. The mixture will be a little sticky, so wet your hands a little as you go. Place the balls directly on the breadcrumbs and roll each ball in the breadcrumbs, pressing to make sure they stick well. Put the breadcrumbed balls on a plate.
Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F, or until the mixture bubbles when a breadcrumb is added.
Add the balls to the oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes total. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle immediately with salt.
Garnish with more Parmesan and parsley.
Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces of approximately the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook until a fork easily slides into the potatoes with no resistance and the potatoes almost, but not totally, fall apart, 30 to 35 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Drain the potatoes in a large colander. Place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over a low heat, allowing all the steam to escape.
Turn off the stove and add the butter, cream cheese and half-and-half. Mash, mash, mash! Add the seasoned salt and black pepper.
Stir well and place in a medium baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place bake until the butter has melted and the potatoes are warmed through, a few minutes.