Manchego And Serrano Ham Croquettes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

50 g butter
1 None small onion, finely diced
50 g plain flour
250 ml milk
100 g Manchego, grated
75 g Serrano ham, finely diced
1 None egg
125 g breadcrumbs
1 litre oil (for frying), plus extra to grease

Preparation

To make the croquettes, heat the butter in a saucepan, add the onion and saute for 2-3 mins. Sprinkle with flour and saute for 1-2 mins then gradually stir in the milk, simmer for 4-5 mins. Stir in the cheese and cook for 30 seconds to 1 min. Stir in the ham and season.
Lightly grease a baking sheet with oil then pour in the croquette mixture. Leave to cool then chill for 2-3 hours.
Lightly dust your hands with flour then form 20 croquettes from the mixture. Beat the egg in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, place the seasoned breadcrumbs. Dip each croquette in the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Chill for 1 hour.
Heat the frying oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan until it reaches 350\u00b0F. Lower the croquettes into the oil one-by-one. Fry for 3-4 mins until golden then drain on paper towel.