Spicy cheese bites

• plain flour↗85g g
• butter↗50g g

  chopped

• mature gruyère↗50g g

  grated

• fresh parmesan↗25g g

  (or vegetarian alternative), finely grated

• eggs↗2

  well beaten

• vegetable oil↗1l l

  for deep frying

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Sift the flour and a little salt into a bowl. Set a non-stick pan on the heat with 150ml cold water and the chopped butter. Bring to the boil, stirring until the butter melts. Tip in all the flour and, using a wooden spoon, beat hard until the mix becomes smooth and starts to leave the side of the pan.

2. 2

   Remove from the heat, beat in the gruyère and half the parmesan and cool for 5 mins. Gradually beat in the eggs until you have a smooth, thick, but spoonable mix – you may not need all the egg. Can be set aside now for 2 hrs without chilling.

3. 3

   When ready to serve, heat the oil in a deep-fat frying pan to around 180C. Using 2 teaspoons scoop up neat dollops and carefully drop into the hot oil. Fry 6-8 dollops a time for 3-4 mins until golden and crisp – dunk the dollops under to brown evenly. Reheat the oil as necessary. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with the rest of the parmesan. Serve hot.