Pakoras are popular snacks in India. Filled with vegetables and meat, there is no dearth of what you can explore in the kitchen and serve on the table as a fried snack. However, it can get a little monotonous, and if you need to shake things up a little bit, you can always try multiple recipes of croquettes.
Video Credit: Derell In Kitchen
Croquettes look like NRI cousins of pakoras, encapsulating flavours and sometimes a lot of cheese. They have a crispy crust and juicy filling that makes them an ultimate option for snacks. Much like different types of pakoras, you can also make variations of croquettes and leave your guests impressed. Here are a few recipes that are worth a try.
Mushroom Croquettes
Many people do not like mushrooms, and you could be one of them. But if you are trying to develop the taste of the vegetarian alternative to meat, croquettes are one of the best ways to explore. Start by sauteing mushrooms in a hot pan greased with butter. As it turns soft and brown, season it with salt, oregano, and pepper.
You can also saute a few vegetables of your choice like shredded carrots, cabbage, etc. In another skillet, roast all-purpose flour with butter, and add milk to it to make a creamy dough. Use small portions of this dough, fold in your vegetables, and seal on all sides. Keep seasoned beaten eggs or corn flour slurry ready. After you have refrigerated croquettes, immerse in beaten eggs, coat with breadcrumbs, and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. Deep fry them and enjoy.
Potato Croquettes
You have tried potato pakoras, now try cheesy potato croquettes. Boil potatoes first and grate them or press them through a large sieve or ricer. Season them with salt, peppers, and red chilli powder. Fold in mozzarella cheese and chopped coriander leaves. Add some corn flour to make the mixture more binding and make small cylindrical or spherical balls with it.
While you refrigerate potato croquettes, make tomato sauce in a skillet seasoned with ginger, garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano. Repeat the process of dipping croquettes in eggs or corn flour slurry before coating them with breadcrumbs and deep frying. Serve cheesy golden brown potato croquettes with tomato sauce.
Chicken Croquettes
If you love to devour a juicy piece of chicken, these croquettes will be your next favourite dish. Start by sauteing shredded chicken in butter along with nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Add some flour and milk to the skillet to make a thick mixture. Shape it into oval, cylindrical, or spherical croquettes of your choice.
While you refrigerate these, preheat the oven, and prepare a concoction of salt-beaten eggs or all-purpose flour slurry. Keep breadcrumbs on the side as well. Dip croquettes in the slurry, coat them with breadcrumbs, arrange them on the baking tray, and bake. You can also deep fry or air fry these and serve with a dip.
Salmon Croquettes
People who are fans of fish fry are most likely to fall in love with salmon croquettes as well. Take a non-stick pan and cook salmon on both sides until it is opaque. Meanwhile, keep a dry mix of pepper powder, red chilli powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt ready in a small bowl.
Saute scallions, celery, and a few other veggies of your choice in a pan greased with butter and season it with the masala mix. Add this to the salmon and combine everything with your hands. You can add some cornstarch or all-purpose flour to bind the ingredients. Make croquettes in the shape of patties, freeze them, dip them in beaten eggs, and shallow fry.
Sweet Potato Croquettes
Boil sweet potatoes in water seasoned with salt. Dry the potatoes and mash them. Add sugar, cheddar cheese, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and cornstarch to the mix. Once everything has been combined into a dough, make croquettes of the shapes you prefer.
Keep breadcrumbs and corn flour slurry on the side. After croquettes have been refrigerated for 20-30 minutes, dip them in the slurry, coat them with breadcrumbs, and deep fry. Served these cheese delights with sauce.
Shrimp Croquettes
If you are a fan of seafood, you should try making shrimp croquettes for snacks. Start by sauteing chopped shrimps with chopped onions in melted butter. Season this mix with salt, paprika, and pepper and keep it aside once all the water has evaporated from the skillet. You can add all purpose flour to this mix to make it a little less sticky and a little more binding.
Make spherical croquettes with the shrimp mix and refrigerate so that the combination solidifies into the desired shape. Dip the croquettes in dry all purpose flour, egg mix, and breadcrumbs. Deep fry the snack until the outer layer is crispy and golden brown. Serve these hot with your favourite dip.
Cheese Croquettes
All the cheese lovers need to try this cheesy recipe to experience food coma. Mix grated edam cheese, gouda cheese, and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Season it with salt, black pepper, red chilli powder, and fresh oregano. Shape it into spherical croquettes.
After refrigerating for an hour, coat each with maida, dip into the corn flour slurry, and coat with breadcrumbs. Refrigerate again for 10 minutes and deep dry. Once the outer crust is crispy and golden, serve these croquettes hot with sauce.