Teenie Tiny Tater Tots
Teenie Tiny Tater Tots are a total treat for the tastebuds! These delightful little nuggets of fried potato are deliciously crispy on the outside, but oh so fluffy on the inside. If you're looking to up your sides game, these are a great alternative to regular old fries! We've also given you a recipe for your own Tommy K, which ditches the artificial sweetness of store-bought versions!
Serves
Ingredients
For the tater tots
<item-todo-done>1 tbsp plain flour<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 tsp garlic powder<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>½ tsp onion granules<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>¼ tsp Italian herbs<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1kg Maris Piper potatoes<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> Salt & pepper to taste<item-todo-done><item-todo-done> tbsp vegetable oil for deep frying<item-todo-done>
For the tommy K
<item-todo-done>1 tbsp vegetable oil<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>¼ tsp ground cinnamon<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>1 onion<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>2 garlic cloves<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>350g Passata<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>60g brown sugar<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>75ml malt vinegar<item-todo-done>
To serve
<item-todo-done> chives for garnish - optional<item-todo-done><item-todo-done>½ cayenne pepper<item-todo-done>
Before you start
Large saucepan with a lid over medium heat l Power blender l Large saucepan l Clean kitchen towel l Deep-sided skillet l Cooking thermometer (optional) l Line a large plate with paper towels
Make the Tommy K
- Peel and finely dice the onion
- Peel and grate the garlic cloves
- Pour the oil into the hot saucepan
- Add the onions and stir-fry for 7-10 minutes, until golden brown
- Add the garlic, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, whole cloves and passata and stir for another 4-5 minutes
- Add the sugar and vinegar and stir until the sugar is dissolved
- Cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes
- Take off the heat and leave to cool to room temperature
- Transfer to a blender and whizz until completely smooth
Meanwhile, prepare the potatoes
- Peel the potatoes and put them in a large pan
- Cover with cold water, bring to the boil over a high heat and cook for 6–7 minutes
- Drain and leave to steam dry
- Lay the tea towel out on the kitchen counter and grate the cooled potatoes into the middle of the towel
- Bring up the corners of the towel and squeeze out as much water as you can
Shape the Tater Tots
- Put the grated potatoes, flour, garlic powder, onion granules, Italian herbs, salt and pepper into a bowl and work them with your hands to combine
- Squeeze the potatoes into stubby 2cm tube shapes
Fry the tater tots
- Pour the oil into the frying pan until it’s 5cm deep
- Put the pan over a medium heat and heat to 180ºC or until the oil sizzles around the edges when you dip in a wooden spoon
- Add 5 Tater Tots to the pan and fry for 4–5 minutes, until golden and crispy
- Transfer to the lined plate to drain
- Repeat until all the Tater Tots are cooked
Time to serve
- Season the Tater Tots with salt and pepper
- Garnish with fresh chives, if using, and serve immediately with the Tommy K on the side