SONIC: TATER TOTS (REGULAR)
SAVE: 115 CALORIES, 14 G FAT, 3 G SAT. FAT
Green potatoes and ham, anyone? Oh, no, that was green eggs and ham. Green potatoes don’t have the same ring. And that was the challenge with this recipe.
When I first attempted to remake these delicious nuggets, I shredded fresh potatoes. Not only was it a process because I had to be careful to squeeze out as much water from the shreds as possible or they wouldn’t stay together, but I also had to chop the potatoes after shredding them because the shreds were too long. The long shreds wanted to poke from the sides of the nuggets.
Next, I tried using a food processor. Oddly, the finished nuggets had a bit of a green tone to them. Very strange. I considered that maybe the potatoes weren’t as fresh as I’d thought? So I made them again with the freshest potatoes I could find, only to see the slightest hint of green.
Then all of a sudden, it hit me. Preshredded potatoes! They’re already parboiled so they won’t turn green, and they won’t take long to prepare. Chop them a bit more . . . leisurely . . . and you’re all set for the perfect tots.
Olive oil spray
1¼ cups bagged refrigerated preshredded potatoes
1½ tablespoons egg substitute
½ teaspoon salt
PREHEAT the oven to 450°F. Lightly mist a large nonstick baking sheet with oil spray.
Place the potatoes on a cutting board. With a knife, chop them finely. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the egg substitute and salt. Stir to mix well.
Using a measuring spoon, scoop out a level tablespoon of the mixture. Shape into a nugget and place on the reserved baking sheet. Continue until all of the mixture is scooped, shaped, and placed, not touching, in a single layer on the baking sheet. There should be about 13 nuggets.
Lightly mist with oil spray. Bake for about 20 minutes, flipping the nuggets a quarter turn every 5 minutes, or until crisp and lightly colored.
144 calories, 4 g protein, 30 g carbohydrates, 2 g fat, 0 g sat. fat, 1 g fiber
Original Sonic Regular Tater Tots (13 nuggets): 259 calories, 0 g protein, 27 g carbohydrates, 16 g fat, 3 g sat. fat, 3 g fiber
BEFORE YOU START Preshredded potatoes can be found in the produce or refrigerated sections of most major supermarkets. They are prepared from fresh potatoes and have no added fat. If you cannot locate them, check the freezer section for preshredded potatoes. Just be sure they don’t have any added fat.
If you use the frozen ones (a second choice), thaw them and then squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This is very important. If you don’t get the excess liquid out, the potato mixture will not stay together.