Croquetas De Gambas (Shrimp Croquettes)

📝 Ingredients

• 3 1/2 ounces unsalted butter
• 4 oz all purpose flour (for Bechamel)
• 2 1/2 cups cold 2% or whole milk
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 14 ounces cooked peeled shrimp (diced)
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour (for breading)
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• Canola oil (for frying)
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp brandy
• 3-4 drops of Tabasco sauce
• 1 tbsp lemon or orange juice
• salt to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1If you haven't already done so, cook and peel your shrimp.
2. 2Heat a medium saucepan in a medium-low flame.
3. 3Melt the butter in the pan, then sprinkle in the flour, stirring constantly with a whisk.
4. 4Allow the flour to cook in the butter for a couple of minutes, to cook out the raw flour taste.
5. 5Slowly drizzle in the cold milk, little by little, stirring the whole time, until you get a thick, smooth sauce. The sauce will thicken as it begins to heat.
6. 6Add the shrimp, nutmeg, and season salt and pepper, to taste.
7. 7Combine the mixture, and cool it completely.
8. 8When the mixture is cooled, form a croqueta by taking a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and rolling it in your hands, like you would if you were making a meatball.
9. 9Roll the croqueta in the flour, then coat it in the beaten egg, and finally, through the Panko crumbs.
10. 10Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pan (cast iron works great) to about 350 degrees F. Fry the croquetas in batches, for about 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on a paper towel, and serve hot.
11. 11Serve with with salsa rosa (combine all the ingredients).