Croquetas (Spanish Croquettes)

Ingredients

4 tbsp butter1/2 cup onion (finely diced)1/2 cup ham of choice (finely diced)1/2 cup AP flour1&1/2 cups whole milk1 tsp salt1/4 tsp ground black pepper1/8 tsp ground nutmeg1 large egg (beaten)1/2 cup fine bread crumbsvegetable oil (for deep frying)

Steps

In a pot over medium low heat, melt butter & add onion.When onion turns translucent, add ham & cook for 2 mins.Add flour & cook for 3 mins, stirring continuously.Add salt, pepper & nutmeg, stir well & add 1 cup of milk.Whisk, then add remaining milk, stirring continuously.Taste to adjust seasoning, transfer to a large glass container to cool it down & use a spatula to smoothen the surface.After 15 mins, cover, transfer to the fridge & chill for at least 2 hours.When ready to fry, prepare 2 clean bowls, one with egg & another with breadcrumbs.Heat oil on medium high till it reaches 180 deg C.Shape cooled bechamel into desired shape or size, dip into egg, then breadcrumbs before dropping into hot oil.Repeat process until all croquetas have been fried.Serve hot as is, sprinkled with chopped fresh herbs or/& with sauce of choice.