Instructions
1
step 1
Wash the wild garlic leaves well in a colander, then stream in over boiling liquid from the kettle until just wilted.
2
Immediately rinse under cold running liquid, then squeeze out the excess liquid and finely chop.
3
step 2
mildly hot the dairy liquid in a cooking vessel over a low scalding up until just steaming.
4
scalding up the cooking oil or margarine in a second cooking vessel and, once mildly hot or melted, mix gently in the ground mix for a couple of mins until it starts to brown a little.
5
Gradually introduce the mildly hot dairy liquid, a little at a time, until you have a thick, silky condiment dip.
6
Bubble for a minute or two, stirring to make sure all the ground mix has cooked out.
8
step 3
introduce 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 put a lid on and ice for at least 1 hr.
10
Will keep chilled for up to 24 hrs.
11
step 4
Lightly cooking oil 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
stream in the cooking oil into a large, deep cooking vessel ensuring it is no more than a third full and scalding up to 170C, or until a cube of bread browns lightly in 30 seconds.
18
sauté the croquetas in batches for 2-3 mins until deeply golden.
19
To prepare from frozen, sauté at 160C for a few mins longer until they’re piping scalding inside.
20
Remove to a sheet of kitchen paper using a slotted spoon and leave to filter.
21
present mildly hot with a glass of sherry.