Creamy Iberico ham croquettes
Creamy Iberico ham croquettes
Iberico ham is one of the most famous Spanish delicacies, both inside and outside our borders, and enjoying it is a unique experience. However, it is not only enjoyed on its own with a slice of bread; it is also delicious when integrated into different dishes, such as the creamy Iberico ham croquettes we bring you in this post from Enrique Tomás.
Before we begin, let’s look at which jamon iberico to choose for making croquettes and, once that is clear, what small tricks you need to know to make them irresistible. Let’s get started!
Which cured ham to use to make creamy Iberico ham croquettes
Jamón ibérico is an unmatched product that can be enjoyed simply by placing a slice in your mouth. But can you cook with it? Absolutely. In addition to enjoying it on its own, it can also be used in cooking.
It is important to note that this ingredient is essential in many traditional dishes of Spanish cuisine, such as lentils or fabada. However, those recipes are usually made with fat or trimming pieces, while for croquettes it is better to use shavings, small diced pieces, or thin slices of iberico ham.
At Enrique Tomás we care about making sure nothing from the cured ham is wasted, which is why we recommend using slightly drier pieces from the leg or slices from an opened pack that you did not finish when preparing your creamy jamon iberico ham croquettes. However, this is only a recommendation—if you prefer to start a fresh pack of sliced spanish ham iberico or use tender cuts, that is perfectly fine. Your croquettes will still be delicious!
But which type should you choose? Depending on the flavor, the jamon iberico price level and taste intensity can vary from mild to strong. We recommend two options depending on your preference:
Mild flavor
A milder, less salty iberian ham for a softer taste. Ideal if you prefer a more delicate flavor in your croquettes.
Intense flavor
A more intense ham if you want stronger-flavored croquettes, bringing a more powerful and deeper ham taste.
Also suitable
In any case, a sliced jamon gran reserva (non-iberico cured ham) also works perfectly, as it is delicious, smooth, and very balanced.
Creamy Iberico ham croquettes
Recipe for Iberico ham croquettes
Now that you have chosen your iberico ham, let’s make the croquettes. The ingredients for 4 people are:
Ingredients
- 50 g butter
- ½ onion
- 60 g flour
- 230 g of the ham you have chosen (jamon iberico or jamon serrano)
- 0.8 L milk
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 2 eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Oil
Preparation
1
If you have everything ready, the first step is to cut the iberico jamon into small cubes. Once ready, place it in a pot with milk over low heat for 15 minutes so the iberico pork becomes more tender and the milk absorbs its aroma.
2
Use this time to prepare the onion. Chop it as finely as possible and sauté it for 5 minutes in a pan with oil. Then add the butter and, once melted, add the flour and stir well. This step is very important to avoid lumps in your béchamel.
3
If the milk and ham are ready, pour them into the pan and also add nutmeg and pepper. Stir well and let the mixture thicken for about 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let it cool. It is recommended to refrigerate it for 1 hour so the mixture becomes firmer.
4
After this time, beat the eggs and place the breadcrumbs on a flat surface. Then heat a finger of oil in a pan. Take a spoonful of the béchamel, shape it into a ball, coat it in egg and then breadcrumbs, and fry it.
5
Cook each croquette for about 5 minutes until golden brown, turning them as needed. Repeat until you finish all the mixture. Once cooled, you will enjoy incredibly creamy jamones ibericos croquettes, full of flavor and tradition.
And if you prefer using jamon serrano, also known as serrano ham jamon, or even jamon gran reserva, the result will still be a delicious Spanish cured ham croquette, perfect for any occasion.
