Meatloaf Patties and Potatoes

Have you ever heard of potato pearls? If you haven’t, allow me to introduce you. Potato pearls are tiny beads of dehydrated potatoes, made from real potatoes, which are flavored with butter. They are similar to potato flakes, only ten times better. All you do is boil some water, add the pearls, immediately remove from heat, and then 5 minutes later you fluff the potatoes with a fork. Potato pearls can also be added to ground beef and used as a binding agent for meatloaf patties. Plus, they add great flavor and keep the patties perfectly moist!

They are so good—you’re family will never know you didn’t spend 30 minutes peeling and boiling real potatoes, mashing them, and adding the perfect amounts of milk, butter, and seasonings.

Here is what you need:

• 1/2 cup potato pearls (for patties)
• More potato pearls to serve patties on, cook according to package instructions for the amount you need
• 1/8 cup dehydrated onions
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tsp favorite seasoning (whatever you choose)
• Panko bread crumbs
• Gravy, as desired (Just make your favorite gravy: brown, country, etc)

Here is what you do:

1. Put 1/2 cup potato pearls, onions, and water in a large bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes or until they are thick, like a paste. It should not be light and fluffy.
2. In separate bowl, add ground beef, egg, garlic, and seasoning. Mix well.
3. Add potato mixture to hamburger mixture and combine.
4. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes so mixture can chill.
5. While that chills, put panko bread crumbs in shallow container and season with whatever seasoning you chose for the hamburger.
6. Start to cook remaining potato pearls according to package instructions.
7. Heat a little oil and butter in skillet, remove hamburger mixture from fridge, and form small patties.
8. Coat each patty in panko and cook in skillet on medium heat.
9. Serve over mashed potatoes with gravy.
10. This makes about 8 to 12 patties, depending on how big you make them.
11. (Note: If patties fall apart while cooking, mixture wasn't in fridge long enough. Just go with it because it will still be delicious!)

This meal is perfect for the freezer because it makes a BUNCH and it thaws and reheats nicely.

PS ~ I suggest serving this meatloaf patty dinner with a light fruit cocktail or salad because the dinner itself is incredibly filling. You'll need something light and refreshing to balance it out.