Cheddar Croquettes Food

VINCE'S HAM-AND-CHEESE CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup flour, the cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to make a dry, stiff mixture, about 3 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk to make a smooth paste. Stir until the batter forms a ball, about 3 more minutes.
• Remove from the heat; stir in the ham, cheese and thyme. Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 8-inch square baking pan. Cool, then refrigerate until firm, at least 45 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Meanwhile, make the pea sauce: Bring 3 cups water and the garlic to a boil in a saucepan. Add the peas; cook until thawed, 30 seconds. Drain, then transfer the peas and garlic to a blender. Add the broth and lemon zest; puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Heat about 3 inches of oil to 340 degrees in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Place the remaining 1/4 cup flour, the eggs and the saltine crumbs in 3 separate shallow dishes. Cut the chilled dough into 20 4-inch-long croquettes. Dredge each in flour, then dip in the eggs, letting the excess drip off, and roll in the saltines.
• Fry the croquettes in the oil in batches until golden brown. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Season with salt and serve with the pea sauce.

CHEDDAR CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Line large baking sheet with foil. Puree both cheeses and thyme in processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Place breadcrumbs and flour in separate bowls. Mix milk and egg in another bowl. Form cheese mixture into 18 walnut-size balls. Coat balls with flour. Dip into egg mixture, then bread crumbs, coating completely. Place on prepared baking sheet. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Pour vegetable oil into heavy large skillet to depth of 1 inch. Heat oil until thermometer registers 350°F. Fry croquettes in batches until golden brown, about 1 minute per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels. Arrange croquettes on platter and serve.

CHEESE CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients EXCEPT the 1 beaten egg and cracker crumbs.
• Shape into croquettes.
• Dip into crumbs, beaten egg, and crumbs again.
• Chill.
• Fry in deep fryer or deep pot with oil.
• Drain.

BAKED BACON AND CHEDDAR CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Peel potatoes, then cut the larger ones in half and boil for 20 minutes.
• Combine breadcrumbs with salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet. Cook for no more than 2 minutes, or long enough to brown them.
• While the potatoes are boiling, pan fry the bacon until crispy, then dry on a paper towel.
• Mash potatoes by hand or run through a ricer.
• Chop bacon into small pieces, then combine with shredded cheese and potatoes. Roll mixture into 15 equal-sized balls; an ice cream scoop is a good way to do this.
• Place egg in a small container with a tablespoon of water and whisk. Place breadcrumbs in another small container. Roll each ball in the egg, then in the breadcrumbs, and place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then turn over and bake for another 10 minutes.

SPICY SWEET POTATO AND CHEDDAR CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Put the sweet potatoes and 1 teaspoon salt in a pot and cover with an inch or two of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the potatoes, transfer to a bowl, mash with a fork, and let cool for at least 30 minutes. (You can also do this step ahead and let the mashed sweet potatoes cool in the refrigerator overnight.)
• Add the cheese, flour, cumin, paprika, black pepper and cayenne to the mashed sweet potatoes and mix until evenly combined. Use a medium cookie scoop (a scant 2 tablespoons) to portion the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment. Freeze until solid, at least 1 hour.
• Prepare to bread the croquettes: Set up a standard breading procedure in three bowls - flour, egg-and-oil mixture and bread crumbs.
• Dip each piece in the flour, shaking off any excess, in the egg mixture (turning it a few times to make sure it is completely coated), then in the bread crumbs. Set each breaded croquette on the baking sheet. Refreeze the finished, breaded croquettes until firm. (These can live in your freezer for months.)
• Add enough neutral oil to a deep-sided pot or pan to reach a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 inches, and heat over medium until shimmering, or when a thermometer reads between 325 and 350 degrees. Working in batches, fry the frozen croquettes, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned all over and piping hot in the center, about 5 minutes. (When frying, it's important to moderate the heat to keep as steady a temperature as possible. Adding frozen products to hot oil brings the temperature down, as does crowding.)
• Using a slotted spoon, remove cooked croquettes to a baking rack and immediately sprinkle with a little salt before serving.

BAKED BACON & CHEDDAR CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Peel potatoes, then cut the larger ones in half and boil for 20 minutes.
• While the potatoes are boiling, pan fry the bacon until crispy, then dry on a paper towel.
• Mash potatoes by hand or run through a ricer.
• Chop bacon into small pieces, then combine with shredded cheese and potatoes. Roll mixture into 10 equal-sized balls.
• Place egg in a small container and whisk. Place breadcrumbs in another small container. Roll each ball in the egg, then in the breadcrumbs, and place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Bake for 15 minutes, then turn over and bake for another 15 minutes.