Swiss Cheese Croquettes

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             FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Rossana in Santa Rosa, CA for sending us this classic food funny:

A couple goes for a meal at a Chinese restaurant and orders the "Chicken
Surprise." The waiter brings the meal, served in a lidded cast iron pot.
Just as the wife is about to serve herself, the lid of the pot rises
slightly and she briefly sees two beady little eyes looking around
before the lid slams back down.

"Good grief, did you see that?" she asks her husband.

He hasn't, so she asks him to look in the pot. He reaches for it and
again the lid rises, and he sees two little eyes looking around before
it slams down. Rather perturbed, he calls the waiter over, explains what
is happening, and demands an explanation.

"Please sir," says the waiter, "what you order?"

The husband replies, "Chicken Surprise."

The waiter said, "Ah, so sorry. I bring you Peeking Duck."

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             TODAY'S RECIPE
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These croquettes, really a fried cheese custard, are crisp and crunchy
on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside.

Swiss Cheese Croquettes

4 Tbs (60 ml) butter
6 Tbs (90 ml) all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 ml) milk
1/2 cup (125 ml) cream or half-and-half
1/2 lb (225 g) Gruyere or good quality Swiss cheese, shredded
3 egg yolks, beaten
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Flour for dredging
1 egg, beaten with 1 Tbs (15 ml) water
Bread crumbs for dredging
Oil for frying

Melt the butter in a sauce pan over moderate heat and stir in the flour.
Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the milk and cream. Cook, stirring
constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens. Stir in the cheese
until melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the egg yolks, salt, and
pepper. Pour into a well greased 6 x 9 inch (15 x 23 cm) pan and chill
for at least 2 hours. Remove from the pan by dipping it in warm water
and cut the custard into squares, or into shapes using a cookie cutter.
Dredge lightly with flour, dip into the beaten egg, and then coat with
bread crumbs. Fry in hot oil until golden brown on both sides, about 3
to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.
Serves 4 to 6.
Received on Sun Feb 22 17:52:48 2009