Croquetas de Jamón Español Crujientes

Ingredientes

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour (30 grams)
• 1 cup low fat milk (240 ml)
• 3.5 oz sliced Spanish ham "Jamon Iberico" (finely chopped) (100 grams)
• dash nutmeg
• sea salt & black pepper
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour (60 grams)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp milk (15 ml)
• 1 cup plain breadcrumbs (100 grams)
• sea salt & black pepper
• 1 cup virgin olive oil (240 ml)
• fresh parsley for garnish

Preparación

1. 1

   Heat a medium-sized fry pan with a medium heat and add in the extra virgin olive oil

2. 2

   After a couple of minutes, add in the chopped onion and garlic, mix continuously, after 2 to 3 minutes and the onions are slightly translucent, add in 1/4 cup (30 grams) flour and continue to mix together for 2 minutes, then slowly add in the milk while mixing continuously

3. 3

   Once all the milk has been added and you've ended up with a thick paste, turn off the heat, add in the chopped Spanish ham, a dash of nutmeg, and a kiss of salt & black pepper, and mix together until well mixed

4. 4

   Transfer the mixture into a bowl and cover with saran wrap, add into the freezer for at least 30 minutes

5. 5

   In the meantime, prep the breading station, add the flour into a bowl, crack the egg into a separate bowl, add in the milk, and season with salt & pepper and whisk together, and add the breadcrumbs into a third separate bowl

6. 6

   After leaving the mixture for 30 minutes in the freezer, start shaping the croquettes, grab a spoonful of the mixture and squeeze it in your hands, this is to ensure the ingredients are well bound together, and then shape it into a cylinder the size of a large egg (if you see your mixture is too sticky, just add it back to the freezer for another 15 to 30 minutes)

7. 7

   Coat each croquette, first in the flour, then into the egg wash, and finally into the breadcrumbs, making sure at each stage they are fully coated all around

8. 8

   Heat the same fry pan with a medium heat and add in the virgin olive oil

9. 9

   Once the oil is nice and hot but not smoking, add in the croquettes, all in a single layer, cook in batches, fry for 3 minutes per side or until golden and crispy all around, and as you finish each batch, transfer into a dish with paper towels

10. 10

    Serve hot or warm, garnished with fresh parsley, enjoy!