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First of all, to make this crispy recipe of cheese balls, you need the main ingredient-cum-base.
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The required base ingredient is potatoes, about 100 grams, which can be from 3 small-sized potatoes, two medium-sized potatoes, and even one large-sized potato. Peel the potatoes and boil them till they are fork-tender.
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Now drain the potatoes, cool them a bit, and mash them in a large bowl. The mashed potatoes should be smooth, with no lumps.
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That is going to create a better texture for your cheese balls.
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The star ingredient follows-the cheese.
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You can use 60g of processed cheese or cheddar cheese or about 1/2 cup of grated cheese tightly packed and add this to your bowl of mashed potatoes.
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Meanwhile, by frying that cheese, it melts into a gooey taste-filled centre to overlap with the crunchy exterior.
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To make your mix taste good, add some crushed black pepper, with ¼ teaspoon or black pepper powder for ⅓ teaspoon according to your taste as you allow heat to distribute the spices.
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Add 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin for earthy flavour, and if you like a little warmth, add a pinch of garam masala, too.
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For a fresh herbaceous note, mix in 2 tablespoons of finely chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) or parsley leaves.
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The herbs will add better flavours and vibrant colours to the cheese balls. Add four tablespoons of gram flour or besan and mix it well. The alternative could be chickpea flour, 2 to 3 tablespoons of arrowroot, corn starch, or all-purpose flour, as per one's availability.
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This binding agent will help ensure that the balls retain their shape when fried.
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Add 2 or 3 pinches of black salt, salt, or rock salt to your mixture and season it according to your taste. You must taste the mixture at this point.
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How well could the seasoning have a lot of influence on the final flavour of the cheese balls?
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Now, shape it all together with a moldable but not sticky consistency.
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If it feels too wet, consider adding a little more flour until you like the consistency.
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It is now cheeseball time. For this, you are going to need small portions of the mixture, and you want to roll them into bite-sized, compact balls so they don't break up when frying.
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Line a plate or tray with parchment paper and place the formed cheese balls. Heat oil in a deep frying pan or a kadai over medium heat.
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The oil should be hot enough that a small piece of the mixture sizzles on contact but not so hot that it burns.
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Very gently drop the cheese balls into the hot oil in batches so you don't overcrowd the pan.
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Fry them until golden brown and crispy on all sides, flipping them quite often, for around 3 to 4 minutes.
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You want to fry at the right temperature; if it's too high, by the time the inside of the pastry is cooked, the outside will be burnt. Once the cheese balls turn golden and crispy, take them out with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels for oil absorption.
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Serve it as is, sprinkled with chopped herbs or your favourite dipping sauce: spicy ketchup, mint chutney, or even a tangy yoghurt dip.
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This corresponds to all the perfect characteristics of a tasty snack or appetiser- a crispy crust and a warm, melty cheese centre. To be sure, this pleases both kids and adults.
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The pleasure of every crunch and snap of crispness is contained in each perfectly flavoured bite with great combinations of texture.