• Profile photo of Beatriz Torija

      Beatriz Torija posted an update

      a year ago

      Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

      The most classic of all croquettes, the most delicious (at least for me), the one that cannot be missing in any restaurant or tapas bar menu, the one you always come back to after trying other flavors or innovating: the ham croquette.

      It is undoubtedly my favorite… in fact, the first photo I shared in this community, were precisely ham croquettes. I have followed Chema Soler’s recipe which, on the other hand, is practically the same as I usually make them, with small differences and tricks that, this time, I have applied, such as salting with soy sauce.

      I have decided to innovate a little in the accompaniment for these croquettes. I have thought of an infallible combination: salmorejo and ham. So I have accompanied each croquette with a bit of a traditional salmorejo. And as the salmorejo is accompanied by ham and egg, I have also incorporated egg. I have cured an egg yolk for four hours in a mixture of salt, sugar and soy sauce and put a little piece, just a pinch, on each croquette.

      Preparation:

      -Fry the chopped onion in the butter (and a dash of olive oil to prevent the butter from burning).

      -Add the sifted flour and work the roux over low heat. Then add the milk and the ham broth, already tempered. I made the broth the day before, with ham bones (with the last bones I had left from the Christmas shoulder… of an extraordinary Iberian ham). At this point I also added the soy sauce, with moderation, as the ham is already salty, and the minced meat from the bones. And to work the dough for 15 to 17 minutes.

      -When finished, I added a little more ham (in this case, a few slices of chopped Iberian shoulder ham) and integrated it well. And so, to cool in the skin with film overnight.

      -And the next day, to slice them. With flour, egg and breadcrumbs. This time I opted for a very fine breadcrumbs. I also grate it myself, with leftover breadcrumbs.

      -The frying, in extra virgin olive oil.

      -The result, as you can see in the photo… and what you can’t see… they flew in no time.

      *I am also enclosing a second plating option… serve the salmorejo separately, because there are those who are very ‘picky’ about any element that may dampen the croquette, even the slightest bit. So, plating for all tastes.

      #CroquetaChallenge

      Translated from Spanish
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      Maloles Muñoz, Beatriz Piedras and 11 others
      18 Comments
      • Level: favicon spaced Scoolinary Team

        what a great croquettes! They look golden brown, crispy and with that filling that is pure flavor for sure. 😍

        The touch of salmorejo and ham jelly is an interesting twist, how does it influence the texture when you eat them together?

        I see a lot of love in every step of the recipe, and that homemade bone broth has to give an extra depth of flavor. I loved the second plating option, it’s a nice touch to think of all tastes, and I applaud you for that presentation! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

        Translated from Spanish
        a year ago
        • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

          @undefined Thank you Sussan. Yes, they were delicious. Honestly, I think that putting the croquette on the salmorejo and eating it at the same time is a great tip and the flavors complement each other very well. If you make the croquettes, put them on and serve them immediately, no problem, they don’t go soft. I made a few the other day, just for my husband and me, so no problem.
          And yes, I think homemade broth makes a major difference. Lately I’m ‘broth crazy’, and I tend to always have several in the freezer.
          By the way, Ignacio Barrios’ broth course is very good, there is another one about broths in Italian cuisine that I still have to do… I can’t afford it! 😅

          Translated from Spanish
          a year ago
          • Level: favicon spaced Scoolinary Team

            @beatriztorijagmail-com ¡Jajaja, “la loca de los caldos” es un título que merece respeto absoluto en la cocina! Tener siempre varios en el congelador es como tener un superpoder culinario listo para salvar cualquier receta.🦸🏻

            Me encanta cómo describes la combinación de la croqueta con el salmorejo, suena como un bocado perfectamente equilibrado. Y esos cursos de caldos suenan tentadores… cuando encuentres tiempo para el de cocina italiana, seguro que tu repertorio de sabores se va a disparar aún más. ¡Qué ganas de ver en qué próxima delicia usas esos caldos! 😍

      • Level: level 3 sous 3 Sous Chef

        Spectacular, very good work

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        Translated from Spanish
        a year ago
      • Level: level 3 sous 3 Sous Chef

        This looks absolutely incredible! Ham croquettes are a classic for a reason, but your innovations turn them into a true masterpiece.

        The cured egg yolk with that salty, umami note… pure genius! I’m always amazed by your techniques – your precision and sense of flavor balance are truly your signature. I can already imagine the crispiness of the croquettes, the creamy interior, and that extra layer of flavor you’ve added.

        I’m so glad I also dove into Spanish culture yesterday through ham croquettes because they were truly a revelation! With every bite, I felt like I was in a tapas bar in the heart of Spain. Now that I see your version with cured egg yolk and soy sauce, I’m even more eager to keep exploring and trying new combinations!

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        • Level: favicon spaced Scoolinary Team

          @undefined Yes! Soy sauce is a GREAT tip. I’ve tried it and it’s really cool

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          Translated from Spanish
          a year ago
          • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

            @undefined Ohhh! Lana, thank you so much for your words 😍 You don’t know how glad I am that yesterday we both coincided precisely with the ham croquettes ❤.
            And I tell you another thing… your croquettes looked so good, many Spanish tapas bars would like them already… I’m serious.

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            Translated from Spanish
            a year ago
            • Level: level 3 sous 3 Sous Chef

              @Beatriz Torija Beatriz, you’re too kind! 😊 I’m thrilled that we both ended up with ham croquettes yesterday – great minds think alike, right?

              And thank you so much for the compliment! If Spanish tapas bars would be happy with my croquettes, then I must be doing something right! I might just start considering a career change… from marketing manager to croquette creator! 😄 Maybe it’s time for a move to Spain!

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        • Level: favicon spaced Scoolinary Team

          The ham croquette is a classic, but here you’ve taken the concept to another level. 🔥 The cured yolk adds a touch of unctuousness and umami that is sure to transform every bite. How did you adjust the point of salt in the béchamel to balance the ham, the soy and the intensity of the yolk? Share your creation on networks and tag @scoolinary_es and @chemasoler_chef. congratulations on joining the #CroquetaChallenge again! 👏🎉

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          Translated from Spanish
          a year ago
          • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

            @undefined Thank you Sol! To keep the saltiness down, you’ll see that I only put a pinch of cured yolk, so that its flavor and texture is noticeable… without it invading everything. And in the béchamel sauce… I added a pinch of salt when frying the onion, and then I only added a pinch of salt with the soy, which was just a pinch. You have to be careful, because the ham is already quite salty 😘.

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            Translated from Spanish
            a year ago
        • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

          Pero se me habían pasado estas croquetas maravillosas!! Creo que ya he perdido la cuenta de las maravillas que has presentado mi querida Beatriz. Has trabajado mucho en este reto y te has lucido de lo lindo👏👏

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          • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

            @loles-mhotmail-com gracias, Maloles. ¿Te puedes creer que lo primero que pensé fue: ‘buf, necesito un poco de respiro, paso palabra en este reto”? Luego: “bueno, unas croquetillas de jamón, sí que podía hacer, que eslo luego me va muy bien para apañar alguna cena entre semana”. Y después: “nunca he hecho de cecina, y tienen que estar muy ricas”… y luego ya, se te va de las manos la cosa 😅😅

            Dime que a los veteranos os ha pasado 🙏

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            • Level: level 4 executive chef 2 Executive Chef

              @beatriztorijagmail-com Siiii, tal cual!! Claro que me ha pasado también jajajaj . Los dos últimos retos se me fué del todo y eso que mi situación era complicada y apenas tenia tiempo. Terminé muy agotada dejando otras cosas por hacer. Por eso esta vez no he participado y eso que hubo un momento en que pensé en hacer al menos dos propuestas, pero al final no he podido. De momento no quiero comprometerme, las cosas se han complicado más en casa. Iré sobre la marcha 😉

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