Ham Croquettes

Ingredients

• 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil (Plus Extra For Frying)
• 1 Cup All Purpose Flour (Plus Extra For Coating)
• 1 Medium Onion (Diced Very Finely)
• A Pinch Of Salt
• 4 Cups Whole Milk (At Room Temperature)
• A Pinch Of Ground Nutmeg
• 1/2 Pound Serrano Ham (Diced)
• 2 Eggs (Beaten)
• 1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs (For Coating)

Directions

1. In a medium pan, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat and sauté onion until just they start to brown. Add a pinch of salt and nutmeg and stir to combine. Add ham and sauté for about 30 seconds.
2. Slowly add 1 cup of flour, stirring continuously. Cook until flour just starts to brown, stirring continuously. Slowly, add milk, a little at a time, stirring continuously until smooth. This will take about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and keep aside to cool slightly. Place ham mixture into a greased bowl, with plastic wrap over the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to overnight.
3. In three different shallow dishes, place extra flour, eggs and breadcrumbs respectively. Make small log shaped croquettes from ham mixture. Coat the croquettes with flour, then dip in beaten eggs and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
4. In a skillet, heat oil and deep fry croquettes in batches for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.