Pats Precious Puppies Recipes

POTATO PUPPIES

Steps:

• Pour oil into a large pot to a depth of 2 inches. Heat over medium heat until the oil registers 340 to 350 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer.
• In a saucepan, combine the milk, water, butter and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, allowing the butter to melt completely. Add the cayenne to the flour and, all at once, pour the mixture into the saucepan. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the "paste" pulls away from the pan, about 2 minutes. Continue stirring for another 2 minutes to allow the moisture to evaporate.
• Off the heat, add the mashed potatoes to the saucepan. Return to the heat and stir for another minute. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
• Remove from the heat and continue stirring. Whisk the eggs together and, while stirring, add the eggs to the mashed potato mixture. Continue stirring until a smooth paste is formed. Stir in the Parmesan and season with pepper.
• Transfer the mixture to a large pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip. In batches, pipe inch-long dollops of the choux paste into the hot oil, using a knife or the side of the pan to cut the paste. Fry until the fritters are deep golden brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and turn out onto a paper towel-lined plate.

BEEF AND POTATO PASTIES

Steps:

• Mix 2 1/2 cups flour and 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Cut 10 Tbsp. butter into cubes (it doesn't have to be particularly cold, just firm enough to cut into pieces). Work butter into flour with your fingertips until mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Pour 3/4 cup boiling water over and mix with a wooden spoon. Knead with your hands until dough just starts to form.
• Turn out onto a clean work surface and knead until dough forms, about 20 seconds; roll into a ball. Divide into 4 portions, shape into rounds, and chill until ready to use.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix beef, potato, onion, pepper, and 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl.
• Roll out each round to a 9"-diameter circle on a lightly floured work surface. Arrange a heaping 3/4 cup filling over 1 half of each circle, leaving a 1" border between filling and edge of circle. Cut remaining 1/2 Tbsp. butter into 4 pieces; place on each mound of filling. Pull bottom half of dough over filling; crimp with your fingers to seal. (Alternately, use a fork to seal.)
• Beat egg and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, brush each pasty with egg wash. Cut a couple small slits in top of pasty. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown and bubbling, 45-60 minutes. Serve with butter and ketchup, if desired.