HAM CROQUETTES

Making croquettes is easy, it's not difficult as it sounds. These Spanish snacks made with ham. If one does not eat ham, cooked shredded chicken, minced lamb, beef or seafood can be used instead. I used ham as my neighbour had sent me a couple of slices of smoked ham which they brought from France. I used a few in sandwiches and the remaining in this recipe. 

Ham croquettes 

Makes 12

Time: 30-40 minutes

Roux

3 tbs plain flour

2 tbs butter

1 cup milk

Salt and pepper

Ham mix

200-250 grams cooked ham chopped 

1 tsp Spanish smoked paprika

1 tbs chopped parsley

A good amount of black pepper

2 tbs parmesan cheese

Oil for frying

Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Salt and pepper

1 tsp hot mustard

Method

To make the roux, for the croquettes, cook the plain flour with butter for 2 minutes o medium heat.Then add the milk and stir into a thick gloopy paste. This will be used to bind the ham mixture.

 

In a food processor, add the ingredients for the ham mix and process it until it forms a crumbled or minced meat texture. Season it well.

 

Add the gloopy roux mix into the ham mixture and mix it well. 

Take the ham mixture and roll into small cylinders or balls. Toss them into the breadcrumbs and refrigerate for few minutes.

 

In the meanwhile, beat an egg with mustard sauce and dip the breaded croquettes into it and then again into the bread crumbs. ( the final time)

 

 

Heat the oil, and slowly add the croquettes into it and fry them until golden brown and crisp. Slot them out on to a kitchen paper.

 

Serve these with sauce on the side. To make the sauce mix its ingredients. They served best when hot and fresh. I do sometimes use the leftovers in my crusty baguettes as a sandwich.