Shrimp and Herb Mashed-Potato Balls

Why people make this dish

Nourilo first tasted a plate of crispy potato-and-salt-cod balls (bacalhau balls) at a restaurant in Macau and loved them so much that he wanted to recreate them at home. Without salt cod on hand, he improvised — once with a mild salted-fish, and here with fresh shrimp and a little chopped herb. The result is a warm, fragrant, family-friendly afternoon-tea bite that comes together from pantry basics.