Air Fryer Potato Puffs With Vodka Dipping Sauce Food

AIR FRYER FROZEN TATER TOTS

Steps:

• Lightly spray with oil the surface of the basket or tray of your air fryer.
• Place the frozen tater tots® in air fryer basket and spread them evenly over the basket. (Make sure they are only in a single layer otherwise all the tots might not crisp up).
• Air Fry at 400°F for about 5-8 minutes. About halfway through cooking, shake the basket to toss the tots.
• If needed, cook for additional 1-3 minutes to get to your desired crispness.

VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook 2 chopped shallots in a skillet with 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat, about 3 minutes. Add 3/4 cup heavy cream, 2 cups Perfect Marinara Sauce (see Cook's Note) and a pinch of red pepper flakes; heat through. Stir in 1/4 cup grated parmesan and 1 to 2 tablespoons vodka; season with salt. Toss with penne.

POTATO PUFFS

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water; season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until fork-tender, about 20 minutes; drain. Pass the potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl or mash with a potato masher until smooth.
• Combine the milk, butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the flour and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until incorporated. Return the saucepan to the stove and cook over low heat, stirring, until the mixture comes together and pulls away from the side of the pan, about 1 minute. Continue stirring until the mixture is slightly shiny, about 4 more minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment on medium-high speed, about 1 minute. Add half of the mashed potatoes and the whole egg and beat until incorporated. Add the remaining potatoes and the egg yolks and beat until creamy and smooth, about 1 more minute. Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round tip. Set a large piece of parchment paper on a cutting board. Pipe about 24 mounds (1 to 1 1/2 inches each) of the potato mixture on the parchment. Cut the parchment between the mounds with a paring knife so each puff sits on its own piece of paper.
• Heat 2 inches of peanut oil in a large pot until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F. Working in batches, carefully invert each puff into the oil, leaving it on the parchment. The parchment will fall off as the puffs cook; remove with tongs. Fry until golden, turning as needed, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; season with salt.

AIR FRYER POTATO CHIPS

Steps:

• Thinly slice the potatoes on a mandoline, about 1/16 inch thick. Transfer to a medium bowl and run under cold water until almost all the white starch comes off and the water runs clear. Dry well between a couple paper towels. Dry the bowl as well.
• Add the dry potatoes back to the dry bowl and toss with the oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper until evenly coated.
• Preheat a 3.5-quart air fryer to 320 degrees F. Shingle the potatoes in the bottom of the basket; it's okay if there are two layers. Cook until the potatoes are deep golden brown around the edges and crisp, tossing every 5 minutes with tongs so they're evenly cooked, about 30 minutes. If you notice a few slices are finished cooking and completely crisp before others, remove to a large bowl and continue cooking the remaining pieces.
• Season the chips with a pinch of salt. Serve immediately or let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

MOM'S POTATO PUFFS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix in the mashed potatoes and egg until well blended.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or heavy deep skillet to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). Carefully drop the potato mixture by spoonfuls into the hot oil, and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from oil to drain on paper towels.

VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook 2 minced shallots in a skillet with butter over medium heat until slightly softened, 3 minutes. Add 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Remove from the heat. Add 1/2 cup vodka, a 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes and some salt. Simmer, stirring, 7 minutes. Stir in 2/3 cup heavy cream and simmer until thickened, 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup grated parmesan and a handful of torn basil. Toss with 12 ounces cooked penne, adding some pasta-cooking water to loosen.

CAN OF TOMATO PASTE VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat; season the water generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 8 to 12 minutes (depending on the pasta shape). Reserve 1 cup of cooking water in a liquid measuring cup, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in another large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic has softened, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste has turned a deep brick red and is starting to caramelize on the bottom and sides of the pot, about 6 minutes. Pour in the vodka and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot, then cook until the vodka is almost completely absorbed and the alcohol has cooked off, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low, then stir in the heavy cream and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water until smooth and combined.
• Add the cooked pasta, Parmesan and butter to the sauce and stir to evenly combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt. Adjust the consistency of the sauce, adding 1 tablespoon of cooking water at a time, until it nicely coats the pasta (it should be creamy, glossy and saucy). Serve in shallow bowls with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and thinly sliced fresh basil.

ALEXIA POTATO PUFFS IN AIR FRYER (SWEET OR CRISPY)

Steps:

• Place the Alexia potato puffs straight into the air fryer basket without thawing or adding oil (cooking spray optional).
• Cook at 375°F (190.5°C) for 12 minutes, flipping once. Wait until golden brown, which indicates crispness (depending on how powerful the air fryer is).
• Serve and top with sauce, cream and drizzle cheese. Enjoy!