Chicken-Ham Croquettes

• 1/2 cup finely diced country ham
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 sprig thyme
• Large pinch of cayenne pepper
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Vegetable oil, for brushing and frying
• 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
• 3 large eggs
• Honey mustard, for dipping

1. Put the ham and 1/2 cup milk in a small bowl; refrigerate 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add the shallots, celery, garlic, thyme sprig, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper.
4. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes; discard the thyme.
5. Add the flour and cook, whisking, 1 minute.
6. Whisk in the remaining 1 cup milk; cook, whisking, until thick, 2 minutes.
7. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
8. Transfer the chilled mixture to a food processor and pulse until almost smooth.
9. Add the chicken and 1/2 teaspoon salt; pulse until the meat is finely ground.
10. Drain the ham and add to the food processor along with the parsley; pulse until combined.
11. Transfer to a bowl.
12. Brush a baking sheet with vegetable oil.
13. With lightly oiled hands, shape the chicken mixture into about twenty 2-to-3-inch croquettes.
14. Transfer to the baking sheet and refrigerate 30 minutes.
15. Spread the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish; whisk the eggs in another dish.
16. Dip the croquettes in the eggs, then coat in the breadcrumbs; return to the baking sheet.
17. Cover and chill until ready to fry.
18. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the croquettes until browned, about 4 minutes.
19. Drain on paper towels.
20. Serve warm or at room temperature with honey mustard.
21. Photograph by Con Poulos

country ham, milk, unsalted butter, shallots, celery, clove garlic, thyme, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, flour, skinless, parsley, vegetable oil, breadcrumbs, eggs, honey

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chicken-ham-croquettes-recipe.html (may not work)