Potato Balls With Meat Filling

Steam potatoes until soft. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

For meat filling: Melt butter or oil in a saucepan. Add the shallots and onion and saute over a low fire. Add the flour and let brown. Moisten with the beef stock. Season with salt and pepper and let reduce over moderate heat. Stir in the diced meat. Set the mixture aside.

Run the potatoes through a ricer or food mill into a pan. Add the butter and milk. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Beat the pureed potatoes well over low heat, 3-5 minutes until they are very dry and thick. Add 2 beaten eggs. Beat again. Your puree should be very thick. Remove from the fire and cool.

Make balls the size of an egg with the potato puree. Flatten them lightly and make an indentation in the middle of each.

Heat oil to 365 degrees F. Dip the balls of potato puree in beaten egg and then in breadcrumbs. Fry in the hot oil, in batches, until golden, about 2 minutes. Drain on towels and put aside.

Pile the diced meat filling in the middle of each bouchee like a dome and place in an ovenproof dish. Heat in the oven for 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Leftover roasted or braised beef, chicken, veal or lamb may be used.