Fancy tapas? Try to resist the call of croquetas, the Spanish croquettes stuffed with ham
The croquetas Spanish are some fried meatballs usually serve as tapas, Especially in the south of the Spain.
Croccantissime outside and creamy inside, the classic croquetas are made with a dough based on bechamel and cubes of Ham raw – indeed, Iberian jamon – but they can be stuffed with many other ingredients. Preparing them at home is really easy and fun and it's a great idea forappetizer, to serve as a delicacy starter or how second dish. Warning: you will not be able to stop eating them.
Croquetas de jamon: the recipe for ham croquetas
The recipe of croquetas de jamon, or ham, is the most common. Here's how to prepare about 20-25 croquetas at home.
Ingredients
450 g Milk
70 g flour
70 g Butter
120 g raw ham (thick slice)
1 egg
nutmeg
Bread crumbs
Seed oil
Method
To prepare the croquetas de jamon, start by cutting the thick raw ham into small cubes and set aside.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat, add the flour and mix with a whisk to avoid the formation of lumps, until a creamy consistency is obtained. At this point, add the milk, if possible warm or at room temperature, and nutmeg; stir for 1-2 minutes, add the raw ham cubes and continue stirring until the mixture has thickened.
Pour the bechamel into a bowl and cover it with the food film, making sure that it is well in contact with the compound, so as to prevent it from drying on the surface. Let it rest at room temperature first and, once it has reached room temperature, refrigerate to cool and firm up.
When the mixture is cold, you will be ready to shape the croquetas. To give the form you can help yourself with two spoons, forming quenelles, or you can prepare round "meatballs" directly with your hands, helping yourself with a little flour. Once you have given the shape and lightly floured the croqueta, pass it in the beaten egg and then in the breadcrumbs.
Now you are ready to dip them in abundant boiling oil, a few at a time, for about two minutes, until they are golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper to dry from excess oil and serve!
Spanish croquetas: variants
There are many different recipes for preparing croquetas, starting from the base of the dough. Some, to obtain a more intense flavor, use the beef broth instead of milk. In addition, it can be added onion or finely chopped garlic together with butter, at the beginning of the recipe.
As for the filling, among the most popular in Spain there is the chicken, the spinach, i squid, i shrimp or the tuna, but it is also a perfect technique to recover the leftovers. Please, prepare the sangria!
