| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 482 | 35g | 16g | 30g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 3g | 12g | 0.6g |
Why I Love Spanish Leek and Cheese Croquettes
Today, I am delighted to share with you a special fondness I harbor for the taste-explosive dish that is Leek and Cheese Croquettes – a fusion of Spanish zest with an Indian-American twist. The combination of aromatic leeks and the bold flavor of Manchego cheese lands an unforgettably delightful experience to your taste buds. Each bite you take seems to unravel a myriad of flavors that would have you wax nostalgic about the very first time you experienced this dish.
A Celebration of Flavors
This recipe, for me, is a celebration of the taste continuum that Indian-American fusion dishes offer. The delicate blend of simple yet bold ingredients allows this dish to create an unparalleled culinary synergy. The Leek and Cheese Croquettes take on a indulgently creamy and melt-in-the-mouth profile with well-balanced mellow flavors.
Many of you may know about my unwavering adoration for fusion dishes – this recipe, in particular, captivates my palate in a unique way. It’s packed with leeks, a touch of butter, the wonderful Manchego cheese, and a thin coat of bread crumbs before they’re fried to perfection in vegetable oil – a veritable symphony of textures and tastes playing in harmony.
Inspired by the Best
As a nod to the master, Chef José Andrés and his ingenious ways of reimagining Spanish cuisine, this recipe is drafted. His flavorful and high quality Spanish dishes such as Croquetas de Pollo (chicken croquettes) were the inspiration behind this recipe. However, I chose to integrate leek in the place of chicken, and combined it with my homely Gujarati influences, to create a version of croquettes that is beloved to my kitchen.
I hope that you enjoy making these Leek and Cheese Croquettes as much as I do. There’s nothing as soul-satisfying as creating a dish that resonates with your roots and seamlessly blends your culinary experiences and knowledge from different cultures.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/2 cups of leeks, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups of milk
- 1 cup of grated Manchego cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of bread crumbs
- 3 cups of vegetable oil for frying
Method
Step One
In a medium-sized skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped leeks. Cook these until they are soft and translucent, which should take around 5 minutes.
Step Two
Next, stir in the 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, continuing to cook for another 1-2 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste.
Step Three
Gradually whisk in the 1 1/4 cups of milk, ensuring there are no lumps left in the mixture. Then, bring this mix to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until the mixture thickens. This should take around 2 minutes.
Step Four
Remove your skillet from heat and stir in the 1 cup of grated Manchego cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Continue to stir until all of the cheese has melted and the mixture is well combined.
Step Five
Let this mixture cool completely. Once cool, shape it into small patties or cylinders.
Step Six
In a small bowl, beat the 2 large eggs. In a separate bowl, place the 1 1/2 cups of bread crumbs.
Step Seven
Dip each leek and cheese patty into the beaten eggs, then roll in the breadcrumbs until completely coated.
Step Eight
Pour the 3 cups of vegetable oil in a large deep skillet or deep fryer and heat to around 180°C/ 350°F.
Step Nine
Fry the croquettes in batches, turning them occasionally, until golden brown. This should take around 3-5 minutes per batch.
Step Ten
Finally, drain your cooked croquettes on kitchen paper or a wire rack, then serve whilst hot and enjoy!
