Fried Mashed Potato and Minced Beef Filling

What's a potato least favorite day of the week? Fry Day :)

I would officially love to confirm that I think better in the kitchen. Would it come off as pretentious if I tell you that I made this delicacy without a preconceived thought? I honestly had an epiphany in the kitchen today though it wasn't intelligible. I almost took the easy way out by resorting to something simpler but each time I stared at those beautiful Irish potatoes, my appetite grew stronger. I guessed through double baked potato, mashed potato and steak, fries and I finally concluded that I was going to settle for potato balls and sauce.

Without hesitation, I boiled my potatoes and in the process of mashing, I thought of adding bread crumbs and frying it. In that moment, the clarity of making Fried Mashed Potato and Minced Beef filling was unmistakable. My cooking pots and spoons danced to the rhythm of excitement. Now lets get down to the real business foodies.

Fried Mashed Potato and Minced Beef Filling:

Fried Mashed potato

Fried Mashed potato

Fried Mashed potato

Ingredients : Fried Mashed Potato and Minced Beef Filling

• 3 Irish potatoes 

• 2 - 3 tomatoes

• 1 cup of bread crumbs

• 2 -3 sweet red peppers

• 1 sweet red pepper for garnishing

• 1 sprig of parsley for garnishing

• 1 tablespoon of paprika 

• One tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil

• One medium onions finely chopped. (if preferred or in chunks).

• 500g of minced/ground beef

• 2 sprigs of thyme leaves

• 1 tablespoon of oregano

• One small tin of tomato paste (Any preferred brand works just fine)

• 1 stock cube (chicken or beef)

• 4 Habaneros or more depending on the level of spicy.

• Seasoning mix (I am a fan of herbal seasoning as they add flavor to my meals)

• Salt to taste

Ingredients

One cup of bread crumbs

Direction: Potato

• Peel the potato and cut into halves.
• Wash the peeled potato and place in a medium sized pot, add cold water and generously season with salt. Boil over high heat for 10 -15mins(depending in the size) until the potato is fork tender.

• Gently remove from the pot and place in a drainer to remove excess water. 

• Place in a clean bowl and allow to cool a bit before mashing using a potato masher. It is not advisable to use an electric mixer as this might cause the potato to lose it's solid nature.( We don't want it soggy)

• Once you achieve a point where it is moldable and free of particles, add 1 cup of bread crumbs and mix thoroughly.  At this point your potato should be workable i.e being able to form a shape. 

• Place the mixture on a clean surface and prepare to mould into a nicely shaped ball. 

• Create a shallow hollow in the middle of the ball by mildly pressing your thumb against the ball. Watch the exterior closely to avoid a crack as this could ruin the process.

Hollowed potato

• Place a clean frying pan on a medium heat stove and add vegetable or olive oil enough to cover the hollowed potatoes when placed into it.

• Once the oil starts to drizzle, gently place the potatoes into the hot oil and slightly reduce the heat to enable slow frying. This way the potatoes fry from inside instead of instantly browning without frying.

• The very basic tip to find out if the oil is ready is to toss an already cut onion inside and once the oil sizzles then it is ready!

• Turn both sides to fry until golden brown, gently remove and place on a clean plate with the hollowed side facing down to drain extra oil.

Prep: Filling:

• Chop the onions, habaneros,sweet pepper and fresh tomatoes

• Dice another sweet red pepper into fine cubes and set aside for garnishing.

• Unwrap the minced beef and place in a clean plate.

• Wash the parsley and set aside in a clean plate.

Directions: Filling

• Set a medium sized pot on a low heat and add vegetable/olive oil. 

• After 5 - 7 mins, gently add your finely chopped onion, sliced habanero and sweet peppers simultaneously, increase the heat and stir.

• Add the minced beef, stir for about 3 mins and then add your condiments (thyme, oregano, stock cube, and salt). Be careful with salt as the potato has already being salted. If the salt in the potato is enough then by all means leave this option out.

• Watch closely while the pot is covered to cook for 2 mins.

• Add paprika to redden the filling and add flavor.

• Stir and taste for seasoning.

• Cook on low heat for about 5 mins and your filling is ready!

Serving:

• Place the hollowed potatoes on a clean serving bowl.

• Using a clean spoon, scoop the filling and place evenly inside the hole.

• Place the cube shaped sweet peppers on top and finally the parsley which I thought was the icing on the cake....everything appeared so tasty and well presented at this point.

• Serve with any cold drink of your choice....mine was H2O :)

• Bon Appetit!

Thank you for visiting the blog today!!! I am here to solve all your food conundrums! I want you to know that you are so SPECIAL to me. One more thing, Don't forget to check back for more innovative food ideas coming your way.

Leave a comment if I impressed you with this one :). THANK YOU!

Contact Information:

For your catering services, you can reach me through @dishesbyq@gmail.com

Follow my Instagram @dishes_by_q

Follow me on Twitter @dishesbyq