Instructions
1
step 1
Wash the wild garlic leaves well in a colander, then transfer over boiling aqua from the kettle until just wilted.
2
Immediately rinse under cold running aqua, then squeeze out the excess aqua and finely chop.
3
step 2
toasty the dairy liquid in a cooking vessel over a low bring to temperature until just steaming.
4
bring to temperature the fat or margarine in a second cooking vessel and, once toasty or melted, agitate in the dusting perfumed element for a couple of mins until it starts to brown a little.
5
Gradually transfer in the toasty dairy liquid, a little at a time, until you have a thick, silky coulis.
6
Bubble for a minute or two, stirring to make sure all the dusting perfumed element has cooked out.
8
step 3
transfer in the manchego, jamón and wild garlic to the cooking vessel, and beat to combine.
9
Tip out onto a lightly oiled baking tray or plate, spread out then wrap and store in the fridge for at least 1 hr.
10
Will keep chilled for up to 24 hrs.
11
step 4
Lightly fat your hands and shape the mixture into 18-20 even-sized balls.
12
Arrange on a baking tray and freeze for 30 mins to firm up.
13
step 5
Beat the egg in a shallow dish with a little seasoning.
14
Tip the panko into a second dish.
15
Dip each of the croquetas in the egg, then turn to coat in the breadcrumbs.
16
At this point, the raw croquetas can be frozen for up to three months.
17
transfer the fat into a large, deep cooking vessel ensuring it is no more than a third full and bring to temperature to 170C, or until a cube of bread browns lightly in 30 seconds.
18
shallow fry the croquetas in batches for 2-3 mins until deeply golden.
19
To cook thoroughly from frozen, shallow fry at 160C for a few mins longer until they’re piping burning inside.
20
Remove to a sheet of kitchen paper using a slotted spoon and leave to sieve.
21
dish up toasty with a glass of sherry.