Cheesy, Bacon, Onion, Potato Croquette

In front of you is a golden brown potato croquette. However, it is no ordinary croquette. Not at all. As you bite into it, your taste buds immediately jump for joy as the onion ring is revealed from beneath the sea of fried bread crumbs. Next, you discover the mashed potatoes that are stuffed inside of the onion ring. The creamy mashed potato goodness slowly melts in your mouth. The bacon bits add the perfect crunch while the cheese adds the perfect texture. You leave the table completely satisfied...

Comfort Foods: Onion Rings, Mashed Potatoes, Bacon

Why not combine them all into the ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD?!?!

Pockets full of mashed potatoes, bacon and cheese. First, you need to create the onion rings. Slice 2 small onions into sections about 3/4 inch thick and separate the rings. Keep the onions big enough to use and set aside the onion parts that are too small. You should start crying because the onion rings are so beautiful. Or maybe that's just because the onions are stinging your eyes.

Peel 3 medium potatoes. Chop the potatoes into inch thick cubes to quicken the boiling process. Then, boil the potatoes on high until they are soft and easy to mash (around 10 minutes). In a large mixing bowl, add the potatoes, 3/4 cup of sour cream, 2 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of pepper, and 3 tsp of garlic powder. Then MASH!

Now it's time to prepare the filling. First, mince the onions you set aside (the ones that were too small to use as rings). Put the bacon in a bowl and use scissors to chop into small pieces. I've found that cutting the bacon before frying makes it a lot more crunchy. Put the stove on medium and fry the bacon for about 2 minutes. When the bacon is starting to crisp, add the onions and continue to cook until golden brown. Cut the cheese into slices small enough to fit into an onion ring. Now, you are ready to assemble!!!

Line a baking tray with parchment paper and evenly space out the onion rings. Fill the bottom of each ring about 1/3 of the way up with mashed potatoes. Next, add a layer of the bacon and onion mixture. Place a slice of cheese on top and cover the remaining space with mashed potatoes. Do this to every onion ring and don't be afraid to get your fingers dirty!!!

Once you have completed this process, freeze the onion rings for a minimum of 2 hours. This holds all of the filling together and makes the next step 10 times easier.

First, you have to set up your breading station...

Bowl 1

- 2 1/2 cups of flour

Bowl 2

- 4 Beaten eggs

- 1/4 cup of flour

Bowl 3

- 3 cups of bread crumbs or panko (your choice!!)

Remove the stuffed croquettes from the freezer and immediately start to coat them. Flour, egg mixture, bread crumbs. Once they are all coated, deep fry them on medium high until they are golden and crispy!!!

Enjoy your well deserved break by devouring your delicious stuffed potato croquettes!!!

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