Pancetta, cheddar & cranberry croquettes

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Pancetta, cheddar & cranberry croquettes

Take a little effort to make these delicious croquettes – they store well in the freezer and make a quick starter that takes just minutes to cook

552 kcal /serving 45 min Serves 6 Medium Italian

Ingredients

  • 125 g pancetta
  • 40 g unsalted butter
  • 1/2 nutmeg grated
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 5 g freshly picked thyme leaves
  • 40 g plain flour plus 50 g more for coating
  • 300ml (1.2 cups) whole milk
  • 3 tbsp cranberry sauce plus extra for serving
  • 100 g mature cheddar coarsely grated
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 75 g panko breadcrumbs
  • vegetable oil for deep-frying

Preparation

Not specified

Cooking

  1. Tip the pancetta into a cold medium saucepan and set over a medium heat.
  2. This encourages the fat to render, making the pancetta extra crisp.
  3. Cook for 8-10 mins, until crisp and golden.
  4. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain.
  5. Set aside.
  6. In the same pan, melt the butter over a medium heat until foaming.
  7. Add the nutmeg, mustard powder, paprika, thyme and flour, and season.
  8. Cook for 1 min, until fragrant.
  9. Slowly add the milk, bit by bit, whisking constantly, until you have a smooth, thick sauce.
  10. Remove from the heat, and stir in the cranberry sauce, cheddar and pancetta, mixing well.
  11. Season with a little salt and lots of black pepper.
  12. Scrape into a shallow bowl, then cover and chill in the fridge for about 2 hrs or ideally overnight, until cold and solid.
  13. Tip the remaining 50g flour into a shallow bowl, the eggs in a second shallow bowl and the breadcrumbs in a third.
  14. Using slightly wet hands, form the mix into torpedo shapes, weighing about 25g.
  15. Gently roll in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs.
  16. Arrange on a baking tray lined with baking parchment.
  17. Put in the fridge to chill for at least 30 mins.
  18. Will keep covered and frozen for up to three months.
  19. Fill a saucepan no more than a third full with oil.
  20. Heat to 180C, or if you don’t have a thermometer, a cube of bread dropped in should brown in 15 seconds.
  21. Carefully add a few croquettes to the pan at a time, and cook for 4-5 mins, until golden and crisp.
  22. To cook from frozen, fry for 5-6 mins.
  23. Remove from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider and drain on a wire rack.
  24. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and serve with extra cranberry sauce for dipping.

Plating & Serving

Not specified

Suggested Sides

Nutrition per Serving

552 Calories
13.1g Protein 11% DV
27.3g Carbs 9% DV
43.7g Fat 56% DV
1.2g Fiber 3% DV
6.1g Sugars
327mg Sodium 22% DV
103mg Cholesterol 29% DV
Diet Type Low Carb
Health Labels Sugar Conscious Low Potassium Kidney Friendly Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Fish Free Shellfish Free Crustacean Free Celery Free Sesame Free Lupine Free Mollusk Free Alcohol Free Sulphite Free

* Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Recipe Details
Category side
Meal Type Snack
Tags comfort-food, fried, savory