Croquettes (Part 2)
Sometimes I just have to make 3 variations of something 🤣
In this case there's a regular chicken one, a meatless broccoli & cheddar, and of course a dog friendly version 😅
A little time consuming but croquettes are pretty easy to make. Get some potatoes started for mashing and chicken going for shredding. Human chicken was SPPOG seasoned, dog chicken was left plain, simmer in broth until it pulls apart. The potatoes I usually run through a sieve or a ricer but since I had to shred some cheese for this anyway, I ran the potatoes through that instead and it worked great.
Season the potatoes (except the dog ones) w/ salt, pepper, and garlic. Once they cool start making some balls. Chicken & cheddar, broccoli & cheddar, and chicken/carrot/celery for the dogs. Toss in flour then chill in the freezer so they set.
While they chill, make some gravy. I'll skip the regular chicken gravy since it's pretty basic. For the other gravy, warm up some truffle oil and cook down some mushrooms then mix in flour to absorb all the oil. Add cream and thin as needed with vegetable broth, s&p to taste.
After the balls set, flour again if needed, dip in egg, panko, then fry until crispy. Skip the fry on the dog treats 😅 toss them in the oven at 400° to finish warming through, then enjoy with gravy! The dogs got a scoop of pumpkin puree instead 😆
Croquettes are a versatile and beloved dish that can be tailored to suit many taste preferences and dietary needs. In addition to the variations described—classic chicken, broccoli & cheddar, and dog-friendly versions—you can customize croquettes with many other ingredients to keep mealtime exciting. For instance, adding different herbs like thyme, parsley, or rosemary to the mashed potatoes can enhance the aroma and add a fresh flavor. Using Yukon Gold potatoes is recommended for croquettes thanks to their creamy texture when mashed, which helps the croquettes hold together better after frying or baking. When preparing croquettes, texture matters. Passing the potatoes through a ricer or fine sieve yields a smooth mash, but shredding cheese along with potatoes, as mentioned, is a clever shortcut that creates a unique consistency and adds flavor. Baking the dog-friendly croquettes instead of frying helps keep them healthy and safe for pets, and swapping regular salt for pet-safe seasoning is essential. For gravy, experimenting with different oils such as truffle oil can add gourmet flair. Cooking mushrooms slowly to develop umami and then thickening the sauce with flour and cream results in a luxurious, rich gravy that complements the croquettes perfectly. Vegetables broths are great for thinning your gravy without overpowering the flavors. Croquette batter chilling is an important step that helps the mixture set, reducing the risk of falling apart during cooking. When breading, a triple coating—flour, egg wash, and panko—ensures a crispy outer shell while keeping the inside moist. Using pumpkin puree as an alternative for accompanying the dog-friendly croquettes is not only delicious but provides a good source of vitamins and fiber for your pets. Overall, croquettes are fantastic for batch cooking and can be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re catering to human guests or including furry family members, their adaptability and comforting flavors make croquettes a must-try recipe for any home cook.
