Croquetas De Jamon, Ham Croquettes

Makes about 40

Ham Croquettes are a great tapas dish. In Spain tapas is traditionally served with drinks in bars.  They are appetizers often served in small dishes meant for sharing. Lots of little tasty tapas dishes can make up a whole meal. It is a great way of eating with friends, it is sociable and fun, for those of you who are indecisive and forever jealous of what everyone else is eating, tapas is perfect, you can have a bit of everything. 

Ham Croquettes are a delicious type of fritter covered in bread crumbs, and filled with a Spanish cured jamon ham. Jamon Croquettes are found all over Spain and are very popular. Croquettes are crisp on the outside with a smooth filling. They are a perfect snack as well as starter or appetizer.

Ingredients

• 1 litre milk
• 100 ml olive oil
• 150g Serrano jamon, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• ½ tsp thyme
• 110g plain flour
• Salt and pepper
• Dry breadcrumbs for coating
• 3 eggs beaten with 2 tsp water
• Oil, for frying

Method

1. Boil the milk, then set aside.
2. Heat some oil in a pan and gently fry the jamon until it starts to brown.
3. Remove the jamon with a slotted spoon.
4. Gently fry the onions, add the thyme and flour, stir well.
5. Add the milk and simmer until it thickens.
6. Remove the pan from the heat, add the ham and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Place mixture into a dish, allow to cool and then refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
8. Spread the bread crumbs out on a large dish.
9. Roll the jamon mixture into 3 cm balls, dip into the eggs and roll them in the bread crumbs.
10. Place on a tray spread apart.
11. Leave to dry for at least 30 minutes.
12. Heat a pan with enough oil to cover a croquette, when the oil is hot fry the croquettes for 3 minutes until golden, remove with a slotted spoon and cook the rest of them.