Carrot and Potato Croquettes

I have always said that I will never ever buy a deep fat fryer.
And I stand by that statement.
However the other night when I was making these croquettes I really wished I had one.
I hardly ever have the urge to deep fry anything but these croquettes need to be fried allright.
They turned out quite well... although I managed to burn the oil after the first batch (how does that even happen?!?) and a few of them simply fell apart when they hit the oil.
It was quite the experiment that started all because I bought some japanese breadcrumbs and wanted to use them.

In the end I made two separate batches:

• Vegetarian croquettes with only potato and carrots.
• And then I made a special batch for the husband and I with garlic, bacon, potato and carrots. 

My husband was in croquette heaven.
I was relieved to have the deep fry experiment over and done with.

This is good kids food and a lovely side dish.
(but it is really hard work so don't say I didn't warn you!)

Here is the link to the recipe which I adapted to the ingredients I had at home.

Streekmolen Crate Contents

This was the contents two weeks ago and it is long gone, used up completely!

DWZI - Cake

I was very determined to be good this week.

But yesterday afternoon I cracked and gave into my craving for chocolate.

I baked a cake.

A wonderfully rich buttercream covered chocolate cake.

I baked this cake while I was suppose to make dinner.

Next week I will be good again...

Heidi was an avid helper, both with the baking and eating of the cake.

How can anyone resist her blue eyes.

Have a great weekend!

You can find all the DWZI participants here.

Deze week zag ik is iedere vrijdag een blik op de afgelopen week.

Parmesan Gremolata Smashed Potatoes

This is the best potatoes that I've ever made.
Seriously.
Ever.

My mouth waters just thinking about them now.
When I came across the recipe via Pinterest I knew that I had to make them.
In fact I talked about it for days.

The great thing about the recipe is that it is dead simple.
I cannot wait to make it again.
And again.

Here is the link to the recipe and here is a copy:

900 gram fingerling potatoes, scrubbed clean
1/2 cup olive oil (or less)
1 tsp sea salt
3 cloves garlic, peeled, crushed, and minced
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, minced (should be about 1/4 cup when minced)
1 lemon, grated zest of
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 200°C. Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water (about an inch higher than the potatoes). Bring to a boil and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through (about 15 minutes for these little potatoes). Drain the potatoes and let dry in a colander or on a kitchen towel. Drizzle a little olive oil on a shallow rimmed baking sheet. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet in a single layer, making sure to get some oil on the base of each potato, and gently press each potato flat with the flat side of a meat tenderiser or a heavy-bottomed drinking glass to about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness. Drizzle the olive oil over the smashed potatoes and then sprinkle salt over the potatoes. Roast for 30 minutes, flipping the potatoes over at 15 minutes with tongs or a spatula. While the potatoes are roasting, mix the garlic, parsley, lemon zest, and Parmesan cheese together in a small bowl. When the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven, and toss them in a large bowl with the Parmesan-gremolata. Serve hot. Serves 4 as a side dish.


P.S. You know I did not use 'fingerling' potatoes don't you... or even the exact measurements. Just do whatever you like. It will be fabulous!

Kids Sandwiches

I was getting a bit annoyed when Heidi barely touched her sandwiches for school.

Children are like that though, they go through phases.

I was determined to give her something interesting for lunch, but without changing the basic ingredients so I figures some shapes might do the trick!

And do they ever.

Empty lunch boxes every day.

Healthy Dinners

Doing my best to make some very healthy meals this week!

DWZI - Sun!

The sun finally made an appearance.

Wonderful.

Yesterday I went to town with Stella.

We were pretty early so we stopped at the Hema for their €1 breakfast. 

It really is a bargain and I'm all about bargains these days.

Stella had a lot of fun playing shopkeeper in their kids corner with me as her main customer of course.

Then we strolled around town, browsing and enjoying being outside.

I tried to convince Stella to smile for a few photos but as you can see she was pretty reluctant.

Have a lovely sunny weekend!

You can find all the DWZI participants here.

Deze week zag ik is iedere vrijdag een blik op de afgelopen week.