croquetas de jamón

note: * original recipe has been amended; makes 12-14 croquettes

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/2 small white onion, minced (about 1/2 cup)
• 4 tbsp flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• A pinch of nutmeg
• Salt
• 1/2 cup cooked ham, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 cup gruyère cheese, finely grated
• 2 eggs, beaten with a little water
• 2 cups Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) or fine breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil for frying
  

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions until transparent, 5 minutes (don't let them brown). Stir in flour and cook another minute, until combined. Whisk in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir in ham bits. Remove from heat and stir in gruyère. Transfer mixture to a shallow dish, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours, until solid.
2. Place the beaten egg in a dish and the Panko/breadcrumbs in another dish. Form the croquettes into 2-inch long rounded cylinders. Dip each croquette in the Panko, then cover in egg, then again in the Panko. Make sure to cover the croquette thoroughly with Panko so that the insides of the croquette don't seep through. Transfer to a plate and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to dry.
3. Heat oil in a deep fryer (or a saucepan with at least 3-4 inches of oil) to 185°C. Fry, about 3 croquettes at a time, until golden, about 3 minutes. With each batch, make sure to pick out/strain the brown bits and scraps from the oil. Also, before each batch, make sure the oil is back up to 185°C. To keep the croquettes warm, place on a baking sheet and set in the oven at about 95°C.

source: reeniesrecipes