Small cheese croquettes served as an appetizer, accompanied by a dab of spiced tomato. “This recipe has been a favorite of visitors of the Bernerhof since Claire Zumstein brought it here from Switzerland in the mid-1950s. Many food critics have commented upon it, and it was even featured in Gourmet magazine many years ago.” –The Bernerhof Inn, Glen, New Hampshire
Yield:
Makes about 20 servings of 3 d�lice eachIngredients
3 cups milk
4 ounces butter (1 stick)
Salt to taste
Freshly ground whole white pepper to taste
10 ounces sifted flour (white bleached)
1/2 pound Emmenthaler cheese, grated
1/2 pound Gruyere cheese, grated
6 egg yolks
4 eggs, beaten
3 cups dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 teaspoon dried dill
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 can (28 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
Butter for sauteing delice
Instructions
Bring milk, 4 ounces butter, salt, and pepper to a boil, making sure butter is melted before removing from heat. Add flour and stir thoroughly until you achieve a mashed potato consistency. Immediately add the cheeses, mixing thoroughly to a smooth texture or until cheese has completely melted. Add egg yolks, again mixing until a smooth yellow hue is achieved.
Refrigerate for several hours or until firm enough to mold. Spreading mixture in a shallow pan (appoximately 10x6x2 inches) will allow for faster chilling. Once mixture is firm, cut into 8 equal pieces, place on floured board, and roll into strips about 24 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut each strip into 3-inch pieces, set pieces on a tray, and return to the refrigerator for about an hour or until firm again. Dip in beaten eggs and roll in dried bread crumbs. Lightly saut� onion, green pepper, and dill in olive oil. Combine with stewed tomatoes, breaking up if whole, and stir in parsley. Keep warm while cooking d�lice.
Melt 1/2 teaspoon butter in heavy 10-inch skillet until almost brown. Add about 6 d�lice, and saut� quickly until golden brown. Remove from skillet and repeat (using 1/2 teaspoon butter per 6 d�lice) until all d�lice are cooked. To serve, place 3 d�lice in a spoke arrangement on a small 8-inch plate with heated spiced tomato at the hub. Add a fresh parsley sprig for color.
