Ham Crouquettes
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup finely minced onions
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- Salt and black peppers
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 12 ounces ground smoked ham
- 2 eggs, mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Preheat the fryer.
- In a large saute pan, melt the butter.
- When the butter is melted, add the onions and saute for about 2 minutes, or until translucent and soft.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the flour to make a roux.
- Cook for about 1 minute and remove from the heat.
- Whisk in the milk to form a smooth sauce.
- Return to medium heat and cook until the sauce is thick and creamy.
- Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg, parsley and sherry.
- Stir in the ham.
- Mix well and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on low heat.
- Pour the mixture into an 8 by 8 1/2-inch baking pan and cool in the refrigerator so that the mixture will be easy to handle.
- Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or until well chilled.
- In a small mixing bowl, beat the eggs with water until frothy and pour into a medium bowl.
- Combine the bread crumbs and flour in a second bowl.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Using your hands, shape the ham mixture into a log about 3/4-inch thick.
- Using a knife, cut the logs into 1 1/2-inch thick.
- Dip the logs in the egg wash, letting the excess drip off.
- Roll the logs in the seasoned bread crumbs.
- Place the logs on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate the logs for 2 to 3 hours.
- Fry the croquettes in the hot oil, a few at a time, until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove the croquettes from the oil and drain on a paper-lined plate.
- Season the croquettes with salt and pepper.
- Serve the croquettes with fresh lemon juice and garnish with parsley
butter, onions, flour, milk, salt, nutmeg, parsley, sherry, ground smoked ham, eggs, bread crumbs, vegetable oil
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ham-crouquettes-recipe.html (may not work)