Leek and Caerphilly Croquettes
Crisp golden croquettes filled with a rich béchamel of sweet Welsh leeks and creamy, tangy Caerphilly cheese.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Equipment
- •Saucepan
- •Frying pan
- •Baking tray
- •Whisk
- •Slotted spoon
Nutrition
Per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 410 kcal
- fat
- 24 g
- carbs
- 36 g
- fibre
- 3 g
- protein
- 14 g
- calories
- 410 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Melt half the butter in a frying pan over low heat.
- 2
Add the sliced leeks and fry gently for 8 minutes until soft.
- 3
Melt remaining butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour.
- 4
Cook the flour paste for 1 minute over gentle heat.
- 5
Gradually whisk in warm milk until a thick, smooth sauce forms.
- 6
Stir in the leeks, Caerphilly cheese, mustard, salt, and white pepper.
- 7
Spread the mixture onto a tray, cover, and chill for 2 hours.
- 8
Divide the chilled mixture and shape into 12 neat croquette cylinders.
- 9
Dust each croquette in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat in breadcrumbs.
- 10
Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 180°C.
- 11
Fry croquettes in small batches for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.
- 12
Drain on kitchen paper and serve immediately while hot.
Chef's tips
Ensure the filling is completely chilled and firm before shaping, or the croquettes will break in the oil. Double-dip in egg and breadcrumbs for an extra-crisp shell.
Ingredient substitutions
- Caerphilly cheese → crumbly mature Wensleydale or Lancashire cheese
- panko breadcrumbs → fresh white breadcrumbs dried lightly in the oven
Storage
Store leftover fried croquettes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheating
Reheat on a baking tray in an oven preheated to 180°C for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp and hot throughout.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Shaping the mixture while still warm, which makes the croquettes collapse.
- •Frying in oil below 180°C, causing the croquettes to absorb excess grease.
- •Overcrowding the frying pan, which drops the oil temperature quickly.
Serving suggestions
Cooked Leek and Caerphilly Croquettes?
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