The Throw! The Dutch! Kroketten!

Zimbabwe lost their match against Australia yesterday, but who cares?  My jaw is still on the floor after  Chris Mpofu's 50 m throw hit the bails and resulted in Ricky Ponting being run out.  Talk about a classic cricket moment!  And I must say that Ray Prices crazy "hesitation spin" bowling made me cheer with delight.  What an enjoyable match!  I am now a confirmed Zimbabwe fan and I cannot wait to watch all of their crazy spin and pace bowlers again!  Totally worth staying up for!

Since the minnows have had such a hard go of it in this World Cup, all eyes are going to be on the Netherlands when they play England this afternoon.  Should be interesting.  However, if the Dutch are as good at cricket as they are at making Kroketten, they should give England a good run for their money!

KROKETTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!!

With these delicious croquettes and a side of that famous strong dutch mustard, everyone's a winner.  Go Holland!  Go Kroketten!

Dutch Kroketten for Krikett

I got this recipe from http://food.com/.  The recipe looks reasonable, and it looks like the method is the same one my dutch friends use:  a double coating of bread crumbs.  Right, let's get started!

600 g fresh veal or 600 g beef or 1 pound of cooked chicken

salt and pepper

75 g butter (2 1/2 oz)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup white wine ( the alcohol evaporates from the wine while cooking; but if you're concerned about the alcohol, simply omit the white wine)

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 clove

2 bay leaves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or 1/4 teaspoon mace

2 sprigs parsley, finely chopped

3/4 teaspoon thyme

2 teaspoons lemon zest (or a squeeze of lemon juice)

2 cups water (or chicken stock if you're using chicken instead of veal or beef) 

40 g all-purpose flour (1.5 oz)

cornstarch

3 eggs, separated into yolks and whites

4 cups fine breadcrumbs  or 4 cups crushed dutch rusks

vegetable oil, to deep-fry

If using left-over chicken or turkey, chop it finely and set aside. Continue with the recipe from Step 3, using stock to make the sauce rather than water, and add the chicken or turkey to the sauce at Step 6.  If using veal or beef, season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

1.  Place a large pan over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter.

2.  Add the veal or beef, wine, onion, clove, bay leaves, nutmeg or mace, parsley, thyme, lemon zest or juice and water. (Use chicken stock if you have chosen to use chicken or turkey.)

3.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. By this time the meat should be tender (or if using poultry, the stock will be bursting with flavor).

4 Strain the stock and reserve, along with the meat. Finely chop or cut the meat into into small pieces.

5 Melt the remaining butter in the pan, stir in the flour and keep stirring for a few minutes on low heat. Don't let it brown. Slowly and gradually add the stock and cook over moderate heat, stirring until the sauce is smooth and thick. Add more flour, or corn starch to thicken the sauce if necessary. Cool slightly and add the 3 egg yolks and mix well (reserve the whites for later).

6 Add the veal, beef, chicken or turkey, mix well and season to taste. The mixture should be thick and stiff by this time.

7 Set the mixture aside to cool thoroughly. When ready, cut or separate the stiff, thick mixture into rolls about 1.5" thick and about 3" long.

8 Spread the crumbs on a clean, dry chopping board. Slightly beat the eggwhites in a deep plate until just incorporated. Roll the croquettes through the breadcrumbs, then through the egg whites and again through the crumbs. (Make sure that the second coating of crumbs is even and thick and no meat mix sticks out, otherwise the croquettes may burst when being deep fried).

9 Deep fry the croquettes in batches of four or five for about 4 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.

And that is that!  So even if the Netherlands cricket team loses today, keep in mind that with food as flavourful, crunchy and delicious as these croquettes, the Dutch are always winners, no matter what!  Good luck today Holland! 

Happy Cricket, Happy Holland!