Chorizo croquettes                                       

• Ingredients

•  1 (about 120g) chorizo, finely chopped
•  100g butter
•  100g (2/3 cup) plain flour
•  375ml (1 1/2 cups) milk
•  2 tablespoons chopped fresh continental parsley
•  40g (1/4 cup) plain flour, extra
•  2 eggs, lightly whisked
•  160g (2 1/4 cups) fresh breadcrumbs
•  Light olive oil, to deep-fry

         

• Method

1. Step 1
   Cook the chorizo in a non-stick frying pan over high heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel.
2. Step 2
   Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until foaming. Stir in the flour for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in one-third of the milk. Gradually stir in remaining milk until the mixture thickens. Stir over medium-high heat for a further 2 minutes or until very thick.
3. Step 3
   Stir in the chorizo and parsley. Season with pepper. Transfer to a shallow container. Set aside to cool slightly. Cover and place in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight to set.
4. Step 4
   Place the extra flour, egg and breadcrumbs in separate bowls. Use floured hands to roll tablespoonfuls of chorizo mixture into 8cm-long croquettes. Roll each croquette in flour and shake off excess. Dip in egg, then in breadcrumbs to coat. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
5. Step 5
   Add oil to a large saucepan to come 5cm up the side of the pan. Heat to 170C over medium-high heat (when oil is ready a cube of bread will turn golden brown in 20 seconds). Cook croquettes, in 3 batches, turning occasionally, for 1-2 minutes or until golden and heated through. Transfer to a tray lined with paper towel.