I shared a New Year's Eve Appetizer collection, rounding up the best treats made by my food blogger friends.
I also shared the fact that I usually don't make those appetizers but that I was an avid fan of homemade colorful, creative and above all tasty canapé.
However, sometimes I like to make a batch and surprise visiting friends and I do have some goodie recipes in my repertoire.
Take for example these Goan beef croquettes, they are mouthwatering good and unique in their own ways!
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Goan beef croquette are a must in all kinds of family gatherings in Goa, especially in the catholic entourage.
I noticed that goan beef croquette would never miss in festive times and that too for a good reason.
I definitely enjoy munching on one or two croquettes and I do get the mellow spicy feeling of the meat.
The inside is soft and the outer part is perfectly crispy fried, coated with semolina.
Semolina is commonly used in Goa to coat meats and also fish, which was something new to me when I learned the local cooking because we mostly boil semolina in Europe.
To make Goan beef croquette you need to pick quality beef mince.
I normally buy double ground beef from a trusted butcher locally (it might be known as special mince too).
The meat should be red, fine and without impurities.
I pick the right butcher because of hygiene concerns.
Also I know that some locals like to make the goan beef croquettes with lamb meat instead of beef.
I personally haven't tried it yet for myself since I always prefer beef meat.
The making of the beef croquette is very simple.
The mince should be cooked with little water and ingredients such as onion, garlic, chilli's and spices before being processed further.
Then comes the blitz blending with lemon juice and the addition of soft fresh bread and an egg.
Then you should mix it all, form the croquettes, roll in semolina before frying them crispy golden.
Sounds easy and it is!
Yet, when you make the goan beef croquettes, just make sure that the meat is not soaking in water after having cooked it with the flavor giving ingredients.
This step is important because your meat mixture should be form-able and if it's too wet, the croquettes don't hold together.
In case you make a batch you can also freeze the not yet fried croquettes after having formed and coated them with semolina.
I do it at times, because usually croquettes are only eaten 1-3 at a time and this batch will result in 20 pieces at least.
📖 Recipe
Goan Beef Croquettes
Ingredients
- 500 Grams Ground Beef also known as special mince
- 2 medium sized purple onions
- 2 Centimeter Ginger Fresh
- 4 Pieces Garlic Cloves
- ½ Teaspoon Turmeric Ground
- 1 Teaspoon Garam Masala
- Salt according to your taste
- 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper Ground
- 2 Green Chili Pepper
- 1 Red Chili Pepper Kashmiri Chili
- 80 Milliliter Water
- Juice of one Lime locally known as Indian Lemon
- 2 soft slice bread without the rind
- 1 Egg
- Semolina locally known as Rawa
Instructions
- Add the ground meat to a pot with the roughly chopped onion, ginger, garlic and spices such as Turmeric Powder, garam masala, salt, pepper, roughly chopped green chillies and the dried red chilli.
- Also pour in the water and cook on slow to medium heat until all the water is absorbed and the ingredients are cooked. Important: the meat content should be dry!
- Allow to cool after cooking and then blend to a smooth texture with the lime juice.
- Add the meat mix to a mixing bowl and add the flaked slice bread with the egg. Mix it all so that all the ingredients are well combined.
- Keep in the fridge for 20 minutes. If the croquette mixture is cooled, it's easier to form them.
- Form your croquettes into cylinders or sausages as shown. The exact size and shape doesn't really matter. Just keep in mind that they will grow a bit in size while frying due to the egg. Then roll the shaped croquettes in the semolina.
- Heat up a pan with enough oil to shallow fry your goan beef croquettes on all sides until they are golden and crisp.
Lovely sounding little bites - I must try these as i love beef - yumm.
I tried it yesterday and everyone loved it. good work keep it up.
Thanks Helene ...must try your recipe ... another little bit of nostalgia for me ... my parents were from Goa and my mum cooked these croquettes for special occasions. They were scrumptious! Very hard to stop at one ... or two .... or ....
These didn't look at all like what I was expecting, though that's not to say they look any less delicious. I love croquettes - something exceptionally enticing about such small little pieces of crispy, fried deliciousness!
very interesting, very cool and very flavorful. looks amazing
That's an interesting take to coat croquettes in semolina, and all the flavors in here sound great!
Love your version of croquettes, Helene! The semolina coating is indeed intriguing!
I love the flavor combination here! These sound fantastic!
They look really tasty Helene, have bookmarked!
Janie x
Perfect little beefy bites!
Ooh love these croquettes and love the spices! I also like to coat my patties in semolina many times and I love how crispy it comes out 🙂
These beef croquettes remind me of cutlets that we always have in Sri Lanka for parties. We bread them... but I never thought to try semolina. They look tasty and I can see why it's a must to have them at any party. 🙂
What a delicious and cute looking appetiser 😀
Cheers
CCU
So interesting Helene that beef croquettes are a part of the traditional fare amongst Catholics on Goa...Such an amazing world we live in...It always fascinates me how different cultures influence each other. Looks like you've really mastered living in Goa - knowing who to trust for meat etc =) Anyway, your croquettes look and sound amazing. Have a beautiful Sunday, Helene!
Intriguing!
These look so yum! I have eaten potato chops made with beef (my mother in law makes great ones!), but I have never had these... not yet! I will have to try them! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
These look delicious, Helene! A great beef appetizer 🙂
Love this unique take on croquettes!! The flavors sound incredible.
This is the first I've heard or seen beef croquettes and I'm so intrigued with them. You know I love beef just about any way and I have to try these some time.
I've never had beef croquettes but this really sounds great! Pinning for later.
I love croquettes of most any sort but these spicy beef ones sound really good. Honestly, what's not made better by deep frying? 🙂
Helene - these look even more amazing than your description! I would so love these! Thanks for sharing!
I love spicy food, yum!
I love this week's theme - I'm learning so many new appetizers I've never heard of. These sound perfect for any party, Helene!
I have eaten potato croquettes before but these beef ones sound so much better. I can't wait to try this.
What tasty little morsels, Helene! I love the spices, especially the chilies!
Gosh, this looks so great! These must have wonderful flavor - definitely something I should try. Thanks so much!
These look lovely and what a great interpretation of beef croquettes.
Love it! There's so few beef dish that are Indian that it's really fun to find something different. Going to have the butcher double grind some meat for me and see the results!
These look wonderful - like tiny little bite sized meatloaves 😉
I've only ever heard of potato croquettes! These are very different and I'm sure delicious!
Mmm... I want these. They look and sound fabulous. I love the flavors!
This is a different tapas! I love it! It sounds so yummy!
I love beef croquettes and I just love this version. Looking forward to trying this recipe!
A great flavor combination and recipe! I'm sure those croquettes taste wonderful.
Cheers,
Rosa