Leek And Mushroom Croquettes Food

HAM CROQUETAS

Steps:

• To make the filling, heat the olive oil in a pan until it starts to shimmer. Add the leek and sauté until soft but not coloured. Stir in the ham with a wooden spoon, fry for 1 min, then stir in the flour and fry over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is golden but not burnt - this will take about 5 mins.
• Meanwhile, combine the stock and milk in a small pan and heat until steaming but not boiling. Season with a few scrapes of nutmeg. Gradually add the liquid, a few tbsp at a time, stirring constantly.
• Once you've incorporated all the milk stock, continue to cook the filling over a medium heat for about 10 mins or until it thickens and leaves the sides of the pan when you stir it.
• Season with black pepper, taste and adjust the salt if necessary - the ham can be very salty to start with. The filling is now done: it has to be really thick because you don't want the croquetas to turn into pancakes.
• Smooth the mixture onto a baking tray (30 x 20cm is fine). Once it has stopped steaming, cover with cling film to stop it drying out. Leave to cool before putting it in the fridge for 1 hr.
• When you're ready for the next stage, line up three bowls: the first filled with the flour, the second with beaten egg and the third with breadcrumbs. Take the ham mixture out of the fridge. Put a little bit of olive oil on your hands to make it easier to roll the croquetas.
• Roll a spoonful of the mixture between your palms. The size and shape of the croquetas is up to you, but the easiest is a walnut-sized ball. Then begin coating as follows.
• Dunk the croquetas into the flour - you want a dusting - followed by the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Put them on a tray and, when you've used up all the mixture, place in the fridge for 30 mins.
• If you have a deep-fat fryer, heat the oil to 180C and fry for a couple of mins. If not, heat the oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan until it starts to shimmer. Then add 5-6 croquetas at a time and fry until golden all over. Once cooked, drain on kitchen paper and eat straight away.

LEEK AND MUSHROOM GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease/spray a 2-qt casserole dish.
• In a large skillet, melt butter. Add leeks and mushrooms, and salt, pepper and paprika cover and saute for 10-12 minutes; Remove from heat.
• Add light cream, parmesan cheese and swiss cheese. Stir to combine well; pour into prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
• Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

MUSHROOM CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Trim mushroom stems.
• In the container of a food processor, combine 1 pound (about 6 cups) of the mushrooms, the onion and garlic.
• Pulse just until coarsely chopped.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until hot.
• Add mushroom mixture.
• Cook and stir until mushrooms are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Spoon into a large bowl.
• Stir in 1 1/4 cups of the bread crumbs, the cheese, egg and pepper.
• Form into ten 3-inch long croquettes.
• Place remaining 1/2 cup bread crumbs on a plate or sheet of waxed paper.
• Coat croquettes with bread crumbs.
• Slice remaining 1/2 pound mushrooms; set aside for later use.
• In a large skillet, over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until hot.
• Cook croquettes on both sides until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, over medium heat, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil until hot.
• Add sliced mushrooms; cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in spaghetti sauce; cook until hot, about 2 minutes.
• Serve over croquettes.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.