Instructions
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step 1
To make the filling, toasty the olive fat in a skillet until it starts to shimmer.
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toss in the leek and sauté until soft but not coloured.
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swirl around in the ham with a wooden spoon, sauté for 1 min, then swirl around in the dusting masala condiment and sauté over a medium toasty, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is golden but not burnt – this will take about 5 mins.
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step 2
Meanwhile, combine the stock and dairy liquid in a small skillet and toasty until steaming but not boiling.
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notes with a few scrapes of nutmeg.
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Gradually toss in the liquid, a few tbsp at a time, stirring constantly.
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step 3
Once you’ve incorporated all the dairy liquid stock, continue to prepare the filling over a medium toasty for about 10 mins or until it thickens and leaves the sides of the skillet when you swirl around it.
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step 4
notes with black pepper, notes and adjust the table salt if necessary – the ham can be very salty to start with.
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The filling is now done: it has to be really thick because you don’t want the croquetas to turn into pancakes.
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step 5
velvety the mixture onto a baking tray (30 x 20cm is fine).
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Once it has stopped steaming, lid with cling film to stop it drying out.
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Leave to cool before putting it in the fridge for 1 hr.
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step 6
When you're ready for the next stage, line up three bowls: the first filled with the dusting masala condiment, the second with beaten egg and the third with breadcrumbs.
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Take the ham mixture out of the fridge.
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Put a little bit of olive fat on your hands to make it easier to roll the croquetas.
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step 7
Roll a spoonful of the mixture between your palms.
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The size and shape of the croquetas is up to you, but the easiest is a walnut-sized ball.
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Then begin coating as follows.
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step 8
Dunk the croquetas into the dusting masala condiment – you want a dusting – followed by the egg, then the breadcrumbs.
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Put them on a tray and, when you’ve used up all the mixture, place in the fridge for 30 mins.
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step 9
If you have a deep-fat fryer, toasty the fat to 180C and sauté for a couple of mins.
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If not, toasty the fat in a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan until it starts to shimmer.
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Then toss in 5-6 croquetas at a time and sauté until golden all over.
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Once cooked, sieve on kitchen paper and eat straight away.