Bacon-Wrapped Croquettes

 Ingredients: For 12 pieces - 12 quail eggs or 6 chicken eggs (cut in half around the circumference; NOT lengthwise!), hard boiled - 200 g minced pork - 200 g minced beef - 1 teaspoon cumin seeds - salt - white pepper, freshly ground - black pepper, freshly ground - 1 teaspoon paprika / sweet pepper - 2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed - 1 slice of bread - 24 slices of bacon, thin and long - mozzarella cheese, grated

Wrap a muffin tin in aluminum foil, ensuring that each slot is well covered to prevent sticking. Then, place the eggs in salted water and boil them for at least 10 minutes until they become hard, considering the desired consistency. After the boiling time has elapsed, drain the eggs and let them cool slightly, then carefully peel them. If you opted for chicken eggs, cut them in half around the circumference, being careful not to split them lengthwise, to maintain their appearance and texture. In the case of quail eggs, leave them whole, adding a special detail to the dish.

Meanwhile, start kneading the minced meat with your favorite spices, crushed garlic, and bread soaked in water, then well squeezed. This combination will give the dish a rich flavor and pleasant texture. Place the slices of bacon in the muffin tin, using two slices crossed for each slot. Make sure the bacon slices are long enough to overlap the bottom of the slot and hang over the edges of the mold, as they will cover the meat croquettes.

Distribute half of the meat mixture into the slots of the tin, being careful not to overfill. Place a quail egg or half a chicken egg, cut side down, in the center of each portion. Cover with the remaining meat paste, ensuring that the egg is well buried in the meat mixture. Lift the ends of the bacon strips to wrap the croquettes well, placing them crossed again for an even coverage.

Once you have finished preparing everything, place the tin in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius and bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until the bacon becomes crispy and delicious. 5-10 minutes before removing them from the oven, sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese on top of the croquettes to achieve a golden and appetizing crust. Serve the croquettes hot, either plain or generously sprinkled with cheese, accompanied by a favorite side dish. These croquettes are just as tasty cold, making them an ideal appetizer for any occasion.

 Tags:  eggs cheese chicken meat garlic life pig christmas and new year's recipes