Tater Tots - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 lbs russet potatoes, peeled
2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper, plus more for seasoning
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon basil, finely chopped
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounces canola oil

Preparation

Peel the potatoes and place in a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil, and cook potatoes for 6 minutes. Immediately drain potatoes and allow to cool.
Using a box grater, shred all potatoes into a large bowl. Use a kitchen town or cheese cloth to squeeze any excess moisture out of the potatoes. NOTE: russet potatotes shouldn't need this since they're relatively dry.
Beat egg separately and add to the potatoes. Add remaining ingredients (except for the oil) to the bowl and blend thoroughly.
Use an ice cream scoop to form the mixture into roughly a ball shape. Prep them on a plate to have them ready to cook. Carefully place the tots in oil heated to 350-375 degrees, making sure not to crowd the cooking vessel. Cook for about 4 minutes or until golden brown.
Place newly-cooked tots on a paper towel; using a baking sheet with a paper towel is a good way to do this. Sprinkle with salt while still hot. Eat as-is or serve with ketchup or other dipping sauce.