Rapeseed oil is a great oil to use in mayonnaise – perfect for dipping deep-fried bundles of cheesy deliciousness in this easy tapas recipe.
Ingredients
- For the ham and cheese croquetas
- 75g/2½oz
butter - 200g/7oz
plain flour - 500ml/18fl oz
milk - salt and freshly ground
black pepper - 75g/2½oz fresh
breadcrumbs - 150g/5½oz
ham, chopped - 100g/3½oz Lincolnshire poacher
cheese - 1 small bunch fresh
parsley, chopped - 75g/2½oz
plain flour - 2 free-range
eggs, beaten - 100g/3½oz panko Japanese
breadcrumbs rapeseed oil, for deep frying
- 75g/2½oz
- For the rapeseed mayonnaise
- 3 free-range
egg yolks - 1-2 tsp
English mustard - 100ml/3½fl oz
rapeseed oil - 1 tbsp
white wine vinegar
- 3 free-range
Preparation method
For the ham and cheese croquetas, melt the butter in a large saucepan, then whisk in the flour and cook for 2-3 minutes. Whisk in the milk gradually to make a thick sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in the breadcrumbs, ham, cheese and parsley. Place in the fridge to chill for 3-4 hours.
Shape the chilled mixture into 7cm/2¾in cylinders. Place the flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs in three separate bowls. Coat each croqueta in the flour, then egg and finish with a layer of panko breadcrumbs.
Add the oil to a deep-fat fryer and preheat to 170C/338F. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
Deep fry the croquetas in batches until golden-brown. Remove and drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
To make the mayonnaise, whisk the egg yolks with the mustard in a bowl and then very gradually add the oil, whisking continuously. Stir through the vinegar, then season with salt and pepper.
Serve the croquetas on a board with a bowl of the mayonnaise for dipping.