
Budget Millet, Leek and Pinto Bean Croquettes with Roasted Carrot Sauce
Golden, crisp-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside croquettes made with cooked millet, mashed pinto beans, and sautéed leek. They are served with a simple roasted carrot, garlic, and yogurt sauce, perfect for a budget-friendly, satisfying, and flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 150 g uncooked millet (enjuagado)
- 360 ml water (for cocinar the mijo)
- 5 g salt (divided)
- 250 g carrots (peladas and en trozos)
- 2 cloves garlic (without pelar, for roasting)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 180 g leek (solo parte blanca and verde tierna, sliced finas)
- 240 g cooked pinto beans (escurridos)
- 1 unit egg (beaten)
- 60 g breadcrumbs (more extra si hace falta)
- 2 g ground cumin (divided)
- 1 g black pepper (or to taste)
- 120 g plain yogurt (for the sauce)
- 15 ml lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 10 g chopped parsley (for terminar)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Place the carrots and garlic cloves on a tray, toss them with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and a pinch of the salt, and roast for 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender and lightly browned.
- 2
Meanwhile, place the millet, water, and half of the remaining salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the leek and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring, until softened. Add half of the ground cumin and the black pepper, stir, and remove from the heat.
- 4
In a large bowl, mash the cooked pinto beans with a fork. Add the cooked millet, sautéed leek, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. Mix well until you have a shapeable mixture. If it feels too wet, add a little more breadcrumbs.
- 5
Shape the mixture into 8 medium croquettes. Place them on a lightly oiled baking tray or oven-safe skillet using a few drops of the remaining oil. Bake at 220 °C / 425 °F for 12 minutes, carefully flip them, and bake 8 minutes more until firm and golden.
- 6
For the sauce, squeeze the roasted garlic out of its skin and place it in a blender or blending cup with the roasted carrots, plain yogurt, lemon juice, the remaining ground cumin, and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth.
- 7
Serve the croquettes hot with the roasted carrot sauce on top or on the side, and finish with the chopped parsley.
Chef tips
If you let the croquette mixture rest for 10 minutes before shaping, it will be easier to handle. For a crisper texture, you can coat the croquettes with a little extra breadcrumbs before baking.
Substitutions
You can use white beans or black beans instead of pinto beans. The leek can be replaced with onion. If you do not have yogurt, use sour cream or an unsweetened plant-based alternative, keeping in mind that allergens and dietary tags may change.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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