Homemade Potato Bird’s Nest

by Stella Dias
(Sri Lanka)

Ingredients
For the Potato Nests:
2 large potatoes
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white or black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons melted butter

For the Nest Filling:
2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs (toasted is best)
2 tablespoons hot milk
Pinch of salt and pepper


For the Mashed Potato "Eggs":
1 small potato, peeled and boiled
1/2 teaspoon butter
Pinch of salt
Pinch of white or black pepper

Directions
1. Prep the Potatoes
Peel and shred the 2 large potatoes using a cheese grater.

Squeeze out as much water as you can with a paper towel or clean dish towel.

2. Make the Potato Nest Mixture
In a mixing bowl, crack 1 egg and beat it with a fork.

Add the shredded potatoes, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Stir well.

3. Form the Nests
Spray or grease a muffin pan with butter or non-stick spray.

Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the potato mix into each cup.

Use a spoon to press the potato mixture up the sides to form a little nest.

Drizzle 1/4 teaspoon melted butter into each nest.

4. Bake the Nests
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden and crispy. If the tops get too dark, loosely cover with foil.

5. Add the Filling
In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp hot milk, a pinch of salt, and pepper.

Spoon 1 tsp of this mixture into each cooled potato nest.

6. Make the Mashed Potato “Eggs”
Mash the boiled small potato with 1/2 tsp butter, a pinch of salt, and pepper until smooth.

Roll small amounts into oval shapes like mini eggs.

Place one in the center of each nest.