Golden Curry Lamb Croquettes

Crispy and golden on the outside, warming and creamy on the inside. Curry Lamb Croquettes are a delicious, family-friendly dish.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

First of all: what are lamb croquettes? A croquette is a type of small cake or patty containing a binder (oftentimes potato) and chopped meat. The patties are typically coated with crunchy, seasoned panko breadcrumbs. In fact, the term “croquette” is derived from the French word “croquer” which means “to crunch.” These lamb croquettes indeed feature a crunchy exterior and contain a tasty curry - potato - roast lamb mixture within. Many different countries have their own delicious takes on the croquette; these countries range from Japan, to Brazil, Holland, and France.

The best time to cook this croquette recipe is when you have leftover meat in stock in the fridge; perhaps you've made a lamb roast the night before. Simply shred or chop up the leftover, fully cooked meat into tiny pieces and they’re ready to be used for curry lamb croquettes! In order to avoid any unnecessary unhealthy fats, we bake the croquettes rather than fry them in this recipe.

Whenever I make these lamb croquettes, my kids get super excited because they are basically a fun, comfort food. They love to dip them in ketchup. Of course, there are many different dipping sauces that can accompany these curry lamb croquettes. I imagine that a cool yogurt cucumber sauce would be a perfect contrast to these flavorful croquettes (mental note taken for future recipe!).

Nutritious Ingredients in Curry Lamb Croquettes

Curry Lamb Croquettes are a super easy, healthy dinner for pregnancy. Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional highlights of the main ingredients used in this recipe.

Lamb

Lamb, like other animal proteins, is a great source of iron and protein. Iron is crucial in the pregnancy diet. Adequate iron helps mama to avoid anemia, which is caused by iron deficiency and can have outcomes ranging from low birth to maternal mortality. The body uses iron to make hemoglobin for both mama and baby. Hemoglobin helps to form red blood cells. During pregnancy, we require double the amount of iron as a non-pregnant woman, mainly to support the developing placenta and growing fetus. Protein is equally critical and promotes growth of fetal tissues including the brain. Protein also supports the increasing blood supply in a pregnant woman.

Lamb also contains zinc. Zinc is a mineral needed for brain development and cellular growth as well as DNA metabolism. Importantly, zinc helps keep mama's immune system strong and supports growth of the placenta. Lamb is also a source of vitamin B12. When combined with folate, B12 supports DNA synthesis and red blood cell generation. Vitamin B12 is necessary for baby's neural tube formation and thus development of the brain and spine.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a great source of folate. Folate helps prevent birth defects of brain and spinal cord. These defects can happen in early pregnancy, well before women even know that they are pregnant. Such defects range from spina bifida (cleft spine) to anencephaly (improper development of the brain and bones of the skull) to cleft lip or palate. Folate also helps reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. This is a dangerous condition in which the mother's blood pressure and fluid retention increases dramatically, as well as excess protein is found in the urine.

Potatoes are also a source of vitamins B and C. The various B vitamins have a lot to offer and are summarized in this helpful pregnancy cheat sheet. Importantly, vitamin C helps the pregnant mama’s body to absorb iron offered by other foods (in this recipe, lamb).

Word of caution: potatoes offer a lot of nutrition in small quantities. A little goes a long way. Do not overconsume potatoes as they contain a lot of starch which can cause blood sugar levels to spike.

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of choline. The body can make some choline but most of it comes from food sources. Choline is essential for healthy development of baby’s brain and spinal cord during pregnancy. When taken during pregnancy, choline has been shown to improve learning and memory in babies. Choline also supports proper function of the mother’s placenta, enhancing the supply of nutrients to baby.

Eggs are one of the few food sources of vitamin D. Vitamin D builds baby's bones and teeth by promoting absorption of calcium. This vitamin also supports healthy eyesight and healthy skin. Helpfully, eggs also contain calcium.

Eggs are also a source of Omega-3 fatty acids. These are healthy fats that support proper development of brain and visual function. These healthy fats also have benefit to a pregnant mother: they help to prevent pre-term labor and support post-partum mood. I always have eggs in stock in my kitchen!

Carrots

Carrots contain beta carotene. Beta carotene is an important antioxidant that the body transforms into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps baby's developing immune system, skin and eyes, and also helps with bone growth. Carrots are also a source of vitamin C which helps baby's bones, gums, teeth and muscles to develop properly. Again, it helps mama to absorb iron more easily. Similar to potatoes, carrots are also a source of folate.

How to Make Curry Lamb Croquettes

First, Set Up the Breading Station

First, set up the breading station. You will need three shallow bowls. Scatter the breadcrumbs in one bowl, the flour in another, and 2 beaten eggs in the third. Set these aside.

Then, Combine the Filling Ingredients

Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked mashed potatoes, shredded carrots, chopped cooked lamb, and 1 tbsp curry powder. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.

Create the Patties

Scoop out small balls of the mixture and roll into balls. This mixture should form 10 balls in total.

Then, Bread the Patties

Once you have formed the balls, begin the breading procedure. First dip a ball into the flour, squashing it slightly to form a round, circular patty. Flip it over to ensure that the whole patty is coated in flour. Next dip the patty into the beaten eggs. Lastly, dip the patty into the panko breadcrumbs and ensure that the whole patty is fully encased in panko breadcrumbs. Set the patty aside and continue the process with the remaining nine balls until you have a set of 10 patties.

Bake the Patties

Next, place the patties onto a rimmed baking tray. I prefer to line the baking tray with parchment paper in order to minimize clean up time. Drizzle the patties with a bit of olive oil (about 2 tablespoons).

Bake the patties on baking tray in the oven at 450 degrees F (232 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes, carefully flipping at the 10-minute mark.

Serve immediately with a sprinkle of parsley leaves or chives and a dipping sauce (my kiddos love ketchup!).

Serving Suggestions and Tips

Curry Lamb Croquettes are so delicious on their own, but are especially good combined with:

• Fresh and simple green salad.
• Homemade tomato soup.
• Steamed tender baby carrots.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I substitute the lamb in these curry lamb croquettes? Absolutely! Feel free to use whatever leftover proteins or vegetables you have hanging out in the fridge. Chicken, beef, broccoli, corn: these would all be delicious choices.

Can I store these croquettes in the fridge for later? These curry lamb croquettes are perfect for storing and reheating later. Just re-heat in a 425 F degree oven for about 3 minutes on each side and you’re good to go!

What about sweet potatoes? I think replacing the potatoes with sweet potatoes would be amazing! I may need to try this sometime. Sweet potatoes have a lot of nutrition to offer a pregnant woman. The resulting croquette would have a sweeter flavor that would work well as an accompaniment to a more savory dish.

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