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Leek Croquettes

Bite-sized crispy croquettes, commonly called keftedes, are a cherished signature dish in Sephardic Jewish cuisine. These leek patties offer a tasty blend of rich minced beef with the gentle, slightly sweet essence of tender leeks, rendering them truly addictive.

Makes 12

• 4 fresh leeks
• 250g ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp dill, diced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, diced
• ½ tsp mild paprika
• Oil, for pan-frying
• Lemon slices, to accompany

Wash the leeks well and cut away the base and the majority of the dark green parts. Slice lengthwise lengthways then into 1.5cm rounds. Put in a large skillet and fill with fresh water, then simmer over a medium flame for about twenty minutes or until tender.

Remove the water from the softened leeks and transfer in a mixing bowl with the minced beef, eggs, crumbs, chopped dill, parsley and paprika and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir well using your fingers then form a couple of scoops into a patty, flattening a bit. Put on a plate and repeat for the balance of the preparation.

Heat oil in a pan to a level of about ¾ inch over a medium heat. When the olive oil is sizzling, cook the fritters in batches until crispy on all sides. (Don't overcrowd the frying pan as this drops the temperature of the oil.) Transfer the finished patties to a plate lined with absorbent paper and let to cool.

Offer with fresh lemon.

Spinach Croquettes

These delightful spinach and cheese patties are a true delight. The crunchy outside gives way to a creamy filling. The fresh spinach imparts a fresh, somewhat natural note, while the dairy provides a rich, savory creaminess. It's possible to replace the dairy cheese with boiled, mashed potatoes if you prefer.

Yields 16–18

• 1kg fresh spinach (or else about 500g frozen leaf spinach, thawed overnight in the fridge)
• 3 tbsp oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 100g salty cheese, grated
• 80g soft cheese
• ½ tsp nutmeg spice
• ½ tsp paprika
• 120g dry breadcrumbs (about 1.25 cups), plus extra if needed
• 3 eggs
• Oil for pan-frying (or alternatively neutral oil)
• Lemon slices, to garnish

For leafy greens, wash it carefully, removing any stalks, and cut into it into large chunks. Put in a large saucepan with a little liquid over a medium heat. Once softened, drain in a strainer for about 15 minutes, then squeeze out any excess liquid and set aside.

For thawed frozen spinach, completely squeeze out unwanted moisture.

Preheat the cooking oil in a pan over a medium heat and fry the diced onion and minced garlic until tender, about four minutes. Remove from the flame.

Put the prepared spinach, fried onion and sauteed garlic, kefalotyri, creamy cheese, spice, sweet paprika, dry crumbs and eggs in a big mixing bowl and spice with pepper and salt. Mix well until blended. If the dough appears too soft, mix in some additional crumbs.

By hand, mold the dough into oval croquettes slightly larger than a nut but less bulky than an large egg, and put them on a tray lined with wax paper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

In a big skillet over medium flame, preheat oil to a depth of about 1cm. Fry the croquettes a handful for a couple of minutes per side, rotating so they are golden all over, then place on absorbent paper.

Present with lemon slices.

Kroketes Fakes

Boasting a crispy exterior and soft inside, these croquettes are not only delicious but also a wonderfully wholesome bite or main course.

Produces 12

• 45g dried brown lentils (¼ cup)
• 90g bulgur wheat (½ cup)
• 125ml extra virgin oil (½ cup)
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp mint leaves, minced
• 1 tbsp parsley, minced
• 1 fresh egg
• Pepper and salt, to liking
• Creamy yogurt and lemon wedges, to garnish

Put the brown lentils in a saucepan and submerge with enough cold water. Cook over a medium heat for about 20 minutes or until partially softened, pouring more water to keep the legumes submerged if necessary.

Stir in the cracked wheat and continue cooking until tender. Drain the ingredients thoroughly and put aside in a mixing bowl.

Heat a portion of the