Name: Ham and cheese croquettes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 60 gram butter; 1 onion, finely chopped; 100 gram leftover ham, finely chopped; 1/4 cup plain flour; 1 1/4 cup milk; 150 gram manchego or parmesan cheese, grated; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 2 cup panko breadcrumbs; vegetable oil, to deep-fry; Speedy tomato sauce; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 clove garlic, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes (optional); 400 gram canned crushed tomatoes; 1 teaspoon caster sugar; salt and black pepper

Ham and cheese croquettes

Ham and cheese croquettes are not only a great way to use up the Christmas ham, these cheesy delights are delicious any time of year! Whip up a batch for a tasty after-school or pre-dinner snack.

Makes 20

Prep

15M

Cook

10M

Marinate

Total

25M

Ingredients

60 gram butter

1 onion, finely chopped

100 gram leftover ham, finely chopped

1/4 cup plain flour

1 1/4 cup milk

150 gram manchego or parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

2 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cup panko breadcrumbs

vegetable oil, to deep-fry

Speedy tomato sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes (optional)

400 gram canned crushed tomatoes

1 teaspoon caster sugar

salt and black pepper

Method

1.Melt butter in a saucepan, add onion and ham; cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat; gradually whisk in milk. Return to heat; cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens. Simmer, stirring, for 1 minute; stir in cheese, paprika and parsley.

2.Pour mixture into a shallow dish. Cover, chill for 2 hours or until cold.

3.Using two dessert spoons, shape tablespoon measures of mixture into small ovals. Dip croquettes in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs. Place croquettes on a tray lined with plastic wrap or baking paper. Cover; chill for 1 hour.

4.Meanwhile, make Speedy Tomato sauce (see below).

5.Fill a large saucepan one-third full with oil; heat to 180°C (or until a cube of bread turns golden in 15 seconds). Deep-fry the croquettes, in batches, for 2 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned. Drain on paper towel. Serve with tomato sauce.

Speedy tomato sauce

6.Heat oil in a pan; cook onion, stirring, for 10 minutes or until soft but not coloured. Add garlic and chilli; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes and sugar; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. Season to taste.