Crispy Dutch Croquettes with Hearty Filling
Dive into the delightful world of Dutch cuisine with these crispy croquettes, a beloved street food that transforms simple leftovers into a delicious meal. Traditionally found in snack bars across the Netherlands, these croquettes feature a golden, crunchy exterior and a savory, flavorful filling made from leftover meats and mashed potatoes. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or paired with fries and a fresh salad, this recipe highlights the beauty of Dutch comfort food and encourages creative cooking. Easy to customize based on what you have on hand, these croquettes will quickly become a family favorite.
2-4
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 (chopped fine)
melted butter
2 tablespoons ((can substitute meat broth))
bread
3 slices (soaked in milk or 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
nutmeg
a pinch
Maggi seasoning or Kitchen Bouquet
to taste
fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
left over finely chopped meat
1/2 lb ((veal, chicken, beef, pork, etc.) or 1/2 lb ground meat)
egg white
1 (lightly beaten with a small amount of water)
corn flake crumbs or breadcrumbs
1-2 cups (for coating)
vegetable oil
for frying ((about 1/2 inch in the pan or enough for deep fry))
Instructions
1
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the finely chopped onion until translucent and tender, about 5 minutes.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed onions with soaked bread (or mashed potatoes), ensuring everything is well mixed.
3
Add salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg, and Maggi seasoning or Kitchen Bouquet to taste. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley to give it a vibrant flavor.
4
Mix in the finely chopped leftover meat or ground beef until thoroughly incorporated. If the mixture feels too dry, add a splash of broth or water.
5
The mixture should be thick enough to hold its shape; if necessary, adjust the consistency by adding more breadcrumbs or potatoes.
6
Shape the mixture into 8 cylindrical forms, balls, or patties, depending on your preference.
7
Prepare for coating: first roll the formed croquettes in cornflake or breadcrumb crumbs, dip them in the lightly beaten egg white mixed with a bit of water, and then coat again with crumbs for an extra crispy exterior.
8
In a deep frying pan, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot. Fry the croquettes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, until they are golden brown on all sides and heated through, typically 3-4 minutes per side.
9
Drain the cooked croquettes on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve them hot alongside crispy French fries and a fresh salad.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Dutch croquettes?
Dutch croquettes are a beloved street food featuring a golden, crunchy exterior and a savory, flavorful filling made from meat and potatoes or bread.
What kind of meat can I use in this recipe?
You can use 1/2 lb of finely chopped leftover meat such as veal, chicken, beef, or pork, or you can use ground meat.
How do I make the croquettes extra crispy?
To achieve an extra crispy exterior, roll the formed croquettes in crumbs, dip them in egg white, and then coat them a second time with crumbs.
Can I use mashed potatoes instead of bread?
Yes, you can substitute the 3 slices of soaked bread with 1 cup of leftover mashed potatoes.
How many croquettes does this recipe yield?
This recipe typically makes 8 croquettes, which can be shaped into cylindrical forms, balls, or patties.
What should I serve with these Dutch croquettes?
They are traditionally served hot alongside crispy French fries and a fresh salad.
What is the purpose of soaking the bread in milk?
Soaking the bread in milk helps create a soft, binding texture for the savory filling mixture.
How long do I need to fry the croquettes?
Fry the croquettes in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side until they are golden brown and heated through.
What oil is best for frying croquettes?
Vegetable oil is recommended for frying, using about 1/2 inch in a deep pan or enough for deep frying.
Can I substitute the butter in the recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the 2 tablespoons of melted butter with meat broth if preferred.
What seasonings are used for the hearty filling?
The filling is seasoned with salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg, Maggi seasoning or Kitchen Bouquet, and fresh parsley.
What do I do if the filling mixture is too dry?
If the mixture feels too dry to hold its shape, add a splash of broth or water until the desired consistency is reached.
What do I do if the mixture is too thin to shape?
If the mixture is too thin, you can adjust the consistency by adding more breadcrumbs or mashed potatoes.
Do I use the whole egg for coating?
No, the recipe specifically calls for one egg white, lightly beaten with a small amount of water.
How should the onions be prepared?
The onion should be finely chopped and sautéed in butter for about 5 minutes until translucent and tender.
Can I use cornflake crumbs instead of breadcrumbs?
Yes, cornflake crumbs are an excellent alternative to breadcrumbs and provide a very crunchy texture.
Is nutmeg a necessary ingredient?
While optional, a pinch of nutmeg provides a traditional Dutch flavor profile to the meat filling.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to provide 2 to 4 servings.
Can I make these with leftover roast beef?
Absolutely, leftover roast beef is perfect for this recipe when chopped finely.
What temperature should the oil be?
The oil should be heated over medium-high heat until hot before adding the croquettes.
Should I drain the croquettes after frying?
Yes, drain the cooked croquettes on paper towels to absorb any excess oil before serving.
Can I use ground pork?
Yes, ground pork or a mixture of ground meats can be used instead of leftover cooked meat.
What is Maggi seasoning?
Maggi seasoning is a dark, savory liquid flavor enhancer similar to soy sauce but with a unique herb-like taste.
Is fresh parsley better than dried?
Freshly chopped parsley is recommended for a more vibrant flavor in the filling.
Can I shape these into balls?
Yes, you can shape the mixture into cylindrical forms, balls, or patties based on your preference.
How do I prevent them from breaking while frying?
Ensuring the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape and using the double-coating method helps maintain integrity.
What is the traditional Dutch name for these?
These are commonly known as 'Kroketten' in the Netherlands.
Is this recipe suitable for appetizers?
Yes, these croquettes are perfect as a snack or an appetizer at parties.
Can I use leftover chicken?
Yes, leftover chicken works very well in this recipe when finely chopped.
Can I deep fry these instead of pan frying?
Yes, you can use enough oil for a full deep fry if you prefer that method over pan frying.