Croquetas de Jamón -- Ham Croquettes from Three Guys from Miami Cook
Cuban

Glenn: It’s no secret that we love croquetas! We could easily eat
croquetas every day.

Raúl: Croquetas are very popular in restaurants, walk-up counters, and
bakeries all over Miami. They make a good lunch or snack.

Many people even eat them for breakfast!

Jorge: Ham is the most popular, although you occasionally see chicken
croquetas as well.

Glenn: Many people bake their croquetas, but take it from us, the best
ones are fried.

Jorge: A good croqueta has a crispy shell and a moist middle. They are
best when served immediately!

Raúl: Hey, eat them fresh and hot or don’t bother eating them at all!

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter
1 cup finely minced onion
1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk (more or less), room temperature
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
4 cups (about 1 pound) ground smoked ham
1 cup (more or less) dry bread crumbs
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 eggs beaten with 1 tablespoon water
1 cup dry bread crumbs mixed with <1/4> cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Vegetable oil for frying

Melt the butter in a 3-quart saucepan; add the onions and sauté on
medium-low heat until translucent. Gradually whisk in flour to make a
roux -- add more butter if necessary to make it smooth. Gradually
whisk in the milk to form a smooth sauce. Continue cooking until the
sauce thickens. Your sauce needs to be very thick -- like wallpaper
paste! Whisk in nutmeg, sherry, and parsley.

Fold in the ground ham and bread crumbs. Let simmer for 5 minutes on
low heat, stirring constantly. Taste and season with pepper and a
little salt if necessary; the ham probably has enough salt already.
Spoon the mixture into a baking dish and refrigerate until well
chilled -- at least 1 hour.

TIP: The mixture needs to be firm enough to form into rolls. If your
mixture is too soft or sticky, add additional bread crumbs.

Beat the eggs with water in a mixing bowl until frothy. Combine the
bread crumbs and flour in a second bowl with salt and pepper.

Shape the ham mixture into logs about <3/4> inch thick and 3 inches
long. Dip the logs in the egg wash and roll the logs in the seasoned
bread crumbs. Dip a second time and re-roll in bread crumbs.

IMPORTANT: Cover logs with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3
hours. (You may also freeze for later use, or use the freezer to
quickly chill them.)

In a large frying pan, add enough vegetable oil to cover half the
croqueta at a time. Heat the oil to the frying stage -- about 360 to
375 degrees F. Sauté a few croquetas at a time in the hot oil for 3 to
4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown.

Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Immediately make loud
noises, pretend someone is at the door, or otherwise endeavor to
distract any bystanders. This will prevent the hungry from attacking
the croquetas before they are cool enough to eat safely! Believe us,
fresh croquetas have a habit of rapidly and mysteriously disappearing!
Serves 6 to 8 (2 croquetas per person).



Excerpted from the book, "Three Guys from Miami Cook Cuban," ISBN:
158685433X

Copyright 2004 by Glenn M. Lindgren

All Rights Reserved


Available at all Barnes & Noble, Borders, and independent booksellers.


http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...073744-4501450

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...8685433X&itm=2


Three Guys from Miami Cook Cuban is the latest effort of Glenn
Lindgren, Raúl Musibay, and Jorge Castillo -- three brothers-in-law
with a passion for Cuban food and culture. Their website, iCuban.com:
The Internet Cuban has attracted millions of visitors since they
created it in 1996. The trio has made several appearances on the Food
Network and they are frequent sources of Cuban cooking tips and advice
for professional chefs and amateur cooks all over the world.

The Three Guys from Miami quickly became known for their great
parties, centered around whole pigroasts or an elaborate Cuban-
style paella. In fact, the Three Guys' "Paella Cubana" was featured on
an episode of "Tyler's Ultimate" with Tyler Florence on the Food
Network.

Latin food and Cuban food in particular, is experiencing a new
renaissance in the around the world. Hardcore "Foodies" are always
on the lookout for the latest ethnic taste sensation, and Cuban
cuisine is a great change of pace from Italian or Asian food.

Whether on a trip to South Florida and the Keys, or a visit to Gloria
Estefan's Bongo's Café in DisneyWorld, people from all over the world
are getting to know and love great Cuban food.

Three Guys from Miami Cook Cuban is a fun, and easy-to-follow guide
that will let even inexperienced home cooks turn out some great Cuban
meals. The recipes are easy to prepare and you'll actually enjoy the
entire process. The book is laced with plenty of Three Guys' humor and
a running commentary.

The Three Guys recipes represent three lifetimes of enjoying Cuban
food, and a long process creating, collecting, and refining the
recipes they love. Their book is a synthesis of many recipes, recipe
ideas, and cooking tips they have received from Cubans (and Cuban food
lovers) all over the world. They have combined the best ideas from
these great chefs with their own special twists to create the "tried
and true" recipes they like best.