Caramelized Broccoli & Cauliflower Croquettes With Poached Eggs and Gremolata Hollandaise

2 cups coarsely mashed Yukon Gold potatoes

1 cup broccoli florets, coarsely chopped

1 cup cauliflower florets, coarsely chopped

1 medium shallot, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons Picual Olive Oil for sauteing & frying

1/3 cup cherve (fresh goat cheese) creme fraiche, or sour cream

1/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano

fresh ground pepper

2 large eggs beaten

2 cups panko bread crumbs

mixed baby greens (optional)

3 large room temperature egg yolks

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon Sicilian Lemon White Balsamic

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup Gremolata Olive Oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

freshly cracked pepper (optional)

Heat the butter and olive oil in a small sauce pan until very warm, about 180 degrees.  In the bowl of a food processor or in the jar of a blender, add the vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and egg yolks.  Process briefly to blend everything.  With the motor running, slowly drizzle in warmed olive oil and butter.

In a saute pan set over medium-high heat, add two tablespoons of extremely fresh, low FFA below .3, high phenol (above 300 ppm) fruity-green extra virgin olive such as Oro Bailen Picual.  Add the shallots, broccoli, and cauliflower and saute until golden brown, and slightly caramelized (about 20 minutes) add the garlic at the last minute.

Add the coarsely mashed potatoes to a large bowl and add the goat cheese, pepper and salt.  Add the caramelized veggie mixture to the potatoes and mix gently, keeping the veggies in tact as much as possible.

Add the beaten egg to wide flat container or bowl, and add the Panko bread crumbs to another bowl. Season the egg with a little salt.

Once the potato mixture has cooled enough to handle, form six patties, about 4″ wide and 1″ thick.  Dip each patty in to the seasoned egg, and then in to the Panko bread crumbs making sure to gently press the crumbs on to the patty.  Set the patties on to a lined baking sheet and set aside.

Heat 1/2″ of Picual Olive Oil in a wide heavy saute pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 325 on a deep fry thermometer.  Pan fry the patties until golden brown on both sides – set aside on a lined baking sheet.

To assemble, arrange the mixed baby greens on the plate.  Top with the warm veggie patty. Set a poached egg atop the veggie patty and ladle the Hollandaise over the top.

Serves 6