August 10, 2010: Goat's Cheese Fritters (+ A Surprisingly Tasty Alternative)

Our August calendar recipe for goat's cheese fritters perplexingly did non include element quantities. Lucky for me, a brief google search revealed that Robyn had sourced the recipe from Taste.com.au.  With that, it was slowly to line upward a shopping listing in addition to schedule them for dinner.  There was a lot to a greater extent than mixture than the recipe hinted at (I made far to a greater extent than than merely '12 walnut-sized balls' from the dough) but otherwise it came together without likewise much fuss - squelch together the ingredients until smooth, coat them (messily) inwards breadcrumbs, in addition to give them to a greater extent than or less fourth dimension inwards the refrigerator to theatre upward earlier frying.  The frying got a picayune ugly, what amongst the cheese wanting to melt'n'all, but around of my fritters remained intact.  They were quite a process amongst a picayune Lycopersicon esculentum chutney in addition to a lot of light-green salad.

For the source calendar week or in addition to thus of this recipe decorating our wall, it seemed clear that I could deglutenise it without likewise much assay (some gluten-free flour in addition to rice crumbs would produce it)... but veganising a recipe consisting primarily of cheese in addition to egg?  This seemed similar lunacy.  Then, on that 10th twenty-four hours of August, an persuasion struck me that seemed equally vivid equally it did bloomin' obvious.

Tofu.

Tofu, amongst the correct seasoning, mightiness produce a perfectly skilful project of standing inwards for all the cheese in addition to egg.  I persuasion dorsum to Isa's fantastic vegan omelettes in addition to decided that my gluten-free flour substitute should last besan (chickpea flour).  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 picayune 'chicken' stock pulverization in addition to savoury yeast flakes in addition to I persuasion I mightiness merely last able to concoct a decent picayune fritter.

We bought silken tofu for the project in addition to this proved to last a picayune likewise watery; I ended upward amongst a pancake-like batter that could non last crumbed.  But it fried upward quite easily anyway, in addition to I was thrilled to acquaint Michael amongst hot golden fritters that looked astoundingly similar fried cheese.

And the taste?  They had the velvety texture of ricotta in addition to a subtle salty savouryness that fits the cheese niche, fifty-fifty if it doesn't gustation just similar cheese.  They were to a greater extent than or less fine fritters, in addition to I was inordinately proud of them. 

Goat's cheese fritters
(based on a recipe from Taste.com.au)

250g ricotta
200g goat's cheese
ane 1/2 tablespoons plainly flour
two teaspoons thyme leaves, chopped
ane egg, beaten
1/2 loving cup breadcrumbs
sunflower oil, to shallow fry

In a bowl, purpose a fork to squelch together the ricotta, goat's cheese, flour in addition to thyme. Add inwards the egg in addition to stir the mixture until it's all smooth. Gently whorl the cheese mixture into walnut-sized balls in addition to coat them inwards breadcrumbs, flattening the balls slightly amongst your hand. Refrigerate the cheese balls for at to the lowest degree thirty minutes to theatre up.

Heat the petroleum inwards a youngster pan in addition to shallow-fry the cheese fritters until they are crisp in addition to golden on both sides. Allow them to drain on absorbent newspaper earlier serving.

Cheesy tofu fritters

300g silken theatre tofu
1/2 loving cup besan (chickpea flour)
two tablespoons savoury yeast flakes
two teaspoons 'chicken' stock powder
ane tablespoon Dijon mustard
two teaspoons chopped thyme leaves
pinch of nutmeg
sunflower oil, for shallow frying

Thoroughly mix together all of the ingredients, except for the oil, inwards a bowl. Taste the batter in addition to arrange the flavourings to your preference.

Heat the petroleum inwards a youngster pan in addition to drib generous tablespoons of the batter into the oil. Shallow-fry the fritters until they are crisp in addition to golden on both sides. Allow them to drain on absorbent newspaper earlier serving.