Description
Croquetas de Jamón are delicious Spanish ham croquettes that are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup diced cooked ham
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly until lightly golden.
- Gradually pour in the warm milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in the nutmeg, salt, black pepper, diced ham, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled.
- Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture and shape them into small cylinders or balls.
- Set up a breading station: place the breadcrumbs in one shallow dish and beat the eggs in another.
- Dip each croqueta in the beaten eggs, then roll in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
- In a deep skillet or pot, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot (around 350°F).
- Fry the croquetas in batches for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown, turning occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Notes
- To enhance the flavor, consider adding chopped fresh parsley or chives to the ham mixture.
- For a twist, substitute the ham with cooked chicken or mushrooms for a different filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 croqueta
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 100mg