Smoked Mackerel Croquettes With Chilli Jam Food

HAM & CHEESE CROQUETAS

Steps:

• To make the croquetas, melt the butter in a medium saucepan and gently fry the onion for 3 mins or until lightly coloured. Stir in the flour and cook for 30 secs. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly, and cook over a low heat for 5 mins until thick and glossy. Stir in the ham, cheese, mustard and cream, and season to taste. Cook for 1 min more until the cheese melts, stirring constantly.
• Pour into a bowl and cover the surface with cling film to stop a skin forming. Leave to cool, then chill for 4 hrs or overnight - the mixture needs to be very stiff to form the croquetas. Take heaped teaspoons of the mixture and, with wet hands, roll into 24 small oval shapes and put on a tray. Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl, put the flour on a plate and half of the breadcrumbs in a bowl.
• Roll each of the croquetas lightly in flour, then in egg before coating in breadcrumbs. Place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Use the remaining breadcrumbs to top up the bowl halfway through the coating process. Chill for 30 mins (or to freeze, see tip, below left).
• Meanwhile, make the tomato chilli jam. Put all the ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover loosely with a lit and cook for 50 mins - 1 hr, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy. Leave to cool before serving.
• Fill a large saucepan one-third full with the sunflower oil and heat to 180C (or heat the oil in an electric deep-fat fryer). Do not overheat and do not leave hot oil unattended. Using a metal slotted spoon, lower 6 croquets into the oil and cook for 1.5 mins or until golden brown. Transfer to a baking tray lined with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil, and continue cooking the rest. Serve with the chilli jam for dipping.

SMOKED CHEDDAR & CHILLI JAM CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Tip the potatoes into a medium saucepan of cold water, season well with salt and bring to the boil. Once boiling, cook for 15 mins until the potatoes can be easily pierced with the tip of a knife. Drain, steam-dry for a couple of minutes, then mash with the butter and cayenne. Season to taste and leave to cool a little.
• While the mash cools, tip the flour into one bowl and season well, then tip the egg into another bowl and the breadcrumbs into a third. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
• Flatten about 1 tbsp mash into an oval in the palm of your hand. Dot a bit of the chilli jam into the centre, top with a cube of cheese, then form the mash around the filling to encase it. Place on the tray and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Coat the croquettes in the flour, then the egg and breadcrumbs, then return to the tray. Will keep, covered in the fridge, for up to a day or frozen for up to three months.
• Line a second baking tray with kitchen paper. Fill a small saucepan no more than two-thirds full with oil and heat to 180C or until a cube of bread browns in 20 seconds once dropped in. Fry the croquettes in batches for 1-2 mins (or 2-3 mins from frozen) until deep golden and crisp. Drain on the kitchen-paper-lined tray, sprinkle with salt, then keep warm in a low oven while you cook the rest. Serve with extra sweet chilli jam for dipping.

BARBECUED MACKEREL WITH GINGER, CHILLI & LIME DRIZZLE

Steps:

• Light the barbecue and allow the flames to die down until the ashes have gone white with heat. Make the drizzle by whisking 2 tbsp olive oil and all the other ingredients together in a small bowl, adjusting the ratio of honey and lime to make a sharp sweetness. Season to taste.
• Score each side of the mackerel about 6 times, not quite through to the bone. Brush the fish with the remaining oil and season lightly. Barbecue the mackerel for 5-6 mins on each side until the fish is charred and the eyes have turned white. Spoon the drizzle over the fish and allow to stand for 2-3 mins before serving.