Create these mouth watering ham and cheese croquettes for sharing or as a savoury snack.
Prep Time
30 Min
Cook time
30 Minutes
Servings
Makes 30 Portions
Recipe for Ham and Blue Cheese Croquettes
Ingredients
Drizzle of olive oil
100g leftover ham, very finely shredded
75g unsalted butter
100g plain flour, plus extra, seasoned with salt and pepper, to coat
400ml semi-skimmed milk, hot
150g blue cheese, crumbled
2 medium free-range eggs, beaten
125g dried white breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Preparation Method
Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over a high heat and fry the ham for 5-7 minutes until starting to crisp, then drain on kitchen paper.
Melt the butter in a medium pan, then add the 100g plain flour and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes. Gradually pour in the hot milk, stirring, to form a thick white sauce. Bubble for 1 minute, stirring constantly, then remove from the heat and fold through the cheese and fried ham. Season, then cover the surface with cling film and chill until firm.
Once cool and firm, shape the mixture into 4-5cm balls or ovals (about 30g each), using wet hands. Put the balls on a baking sheet or plate lined with baking paper. You can freeze them at this point if you want to.
Put the seasoned flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs in small bowls. Carefully roll each ball in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
Fill a deep saucepan or wok with vegetable oil and heat to 170°C on a digital thermometer or sugar thermometer. Add the croquettes, in batches, and cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown outside and gooey in the middle – remove and slice one open to check. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper, keeping the croquettes covered in foil while you cook the rest. Serve straightaway.