Fried Almonds And Manchego Croquetas

Grrrrrgh!
Course : Italian
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 4
 

Ingredients:

3 cups extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup raw blanched almonds
1/4 teaspoon salt -- to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper -- to taste
1 large egg
2 tablespoons hot paprika
1 tablespoon freshly-cracked black pepper
1/2 pound manchego cheese -- cut 1 inch dice
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
 

Preparation:

Heat the oil to 375 degrees in 2-quart saucepan. Add almonds. Cook until almonds turn light golden brown and remove with a spider to drain on paper towels. Season immediately with salt and pepper. Allow oil to remain on heat and lower heat to 360 degrees. Stir together egg, paprika, and cracked black pepper. Dredge cubes of Manchego cheese into the egg mixture. Mix flour and bread crumbs together in a separate bowl. Remove cheese from egg mixture and toss to coat in bread crumb mixture. Place cheese cubes, 5 to 6 at a time, in oil to fry until deep golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes, and remove to drain on paper towels. Continue with remaining cheese and serve warm. Source: MEDITERRANEAN MARIO with Mario Batali From the TV FOOD NETWORK - (Show # ME-1B04)