Potato Croquettes and Meat Croquettes

Step 1

Peel and chop the 2 large potatoes into chunks. Boil in salted water until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth; set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2

While potatoes cook, heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add the 1 small onion (finely chopped) and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the 0.5 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Divide the mashed potato into two equal parts. Mix one part with the cooked beef mixture. Leave the other part plain. Season both with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4

Shape the potato mixture and the meat mixture into small cylinders or oval croquettes, about 2 inches long. You should get about 12 croquettes total.

Step 5

Set up a breading station: place the 0.5 cup flour in one shallow bowl, beat the 2 eggs in another, and put the 1 cup breadcrumbs in a third. Coat each croquette in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.

Step 6

Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Fry the croquettes in batches, without crowding, until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.