Believe it or not, Howard Johnson’s still exists in some form today. Now known for roadside motels, as of 2018 only one original restaurant remained in New York state. The menu was iconic from the charcoal grilling to the sandwiches to the massive sundae selections. It was every kid’s dream to take a trip “out to eat” at Howard Johnson’s. I hope you enjoy this little trip back in time with Hack HoJos Chicken Croquettes .
This makes so many croquettes, you can nosh on them for a couple of days. They should be heated in the oven, because they get soggy in the microwave.
INGREDIENTS -Hack HoJos Chicken Croquettes
28 oz can organic chicken
1 cup milk
1 cup chicken broth
1 stick butter
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/4 tsp each of. salt, thyme, cayenne , white pepper
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup flour plus 1 cup flour
1 TB parsley
2 eggs
1 tsp tabasco sauce
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 cups bread crumbs
grapeseed oil in 2 quart saucepan to fill 1/3 way up (24 oz)
VELOUTE SAUCE
1 tsp chicken concentrate
2 TB flour
2 TB oil
1 1/2 cups milk
METHOD
Drain and finely chop the chicken in the food processor. Put in a bowl.
Heat slowly, the 1 cup milk and chicken stock in a saucepan.
In another pan, warm stick of butter add chopped 1/2 onion and celery . Add spices except parsley.
Saute 7 minutes.
Add garlic. Saute 2 minutes.
Add 1 cup flour, whisk for 2 minutes.
Add milk and stock and whisk until smooth.
Put in bowl to cool.
Add chicken and TB of parsley.
Mix with clean hands (it’s very thick).
Scoop out TB at a time, forming a finger size croquette with hands.
Place on silpat or parchment.
On separate plates, put 1 cup flour,
2 whisked eggs with 1/2 tsp tabasco sauce plus pinch of cayenne
2 cups bread crumbs.
Dip croquette in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs until coated.
Put on a clean parchment sheet.
Heat oil to 325F
Fry about 6 at a time for 5 minutes, until very golden
Remove to paper towel to drain
SAUCE METHOD
Put 6 TB of the cooking oil in another saucepan andwhisk in 6 TB flour and 1 tsp chicken concentrate
Whisk in 1 to 1 1/2 cups milk until nice sauce consistency ( it will thicken)
Serve!
And if you like those, here is another one of our favorite fried chicken morsels HERE.
