CROQUETTES WITH SERRANO HAM AND MANCHEGO CHEESE

Croquettes with Serrano Ham and Manchego Cheese image

Yield serves 8 to 12 as a tapa; makes about 16

Number Of Ingredients 12

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2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
7 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for shaping
3/4 cup whole milk
6 tablespoons finely chopped serrano ham
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup grated Manchego cheese (about 1 3/4 ounces)
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs
Vegetable oil, for frying
Fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, for garnish

Steps:

Heat the butter and oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the butter has melted. Add the onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the flour; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, and cook, whisking, 3 minutes. Whisk in the ham and 1/3 cup cheese. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet, and let cool completely. The mixture can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Whisk together the eggs in a shallow dish. Stir together the bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup cheese in another shallow dish. Scoop tablespoons of the cooled mixture, and shape with floured hands into 2-inch ovals. Working with 1 oval at a time, coat in the beaten egg, then in the bread crumb mixture. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Heat 2 1/2 inches oil in a large, heavy stockpot until it registers 375°F on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry the croquettes, flipping once, until dark golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes total. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. (Adjust the heat between batches as needed to keep oil at a steady temperature.) Serve warm, garnished with parsley sprigs.