Spanish Crab & Prawn Croquettes (Croquetas)
These traditional Spanish deep-fried balls called croquetas are supper yummy and make for a delicious appetizer.
Ingredients · Servings 6
- 500 milliliters full cream milk
- 150 milliliters chicken stock
- 85 grams butter
- shallots (finely chopped)
- 115 grams plain flour (extra for coating)
- 125 grams white crab meat (fresh)
- 100 grams prawns (cooked, peeled, finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley (chopped)
- 2 large eggs (free-range. beaten)
- 200 grams breadcrumbs (made from stale crustless white bread)
- olive oil (for deep frying)
- salt
- white pepper (freshly ground)
Method · 4 h 45 min
- Bring the milk and stock up to the boil in a pan.
- Melt the butter in a pan over a low heat, stir in the flour and cook gently for 5 minutes without letting it brown, breaking up the mixture with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
- Very gradually beat in the milk and stock, beating really well between each addition, so that the mixture becomes silky smooth.
- Increase the heat very slightly and cook gently, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes, to cook out the flour.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in crab meat, prawns, parsley, plenty of salt and a little white pepper to taste.
- Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish, spread out into an even layer and press a sheet of clingfilm onto the surface. Chill for 2 hours or overnight.
- Lightly oil your palms and roll 1 ½ tablespoons (30g/1oz portions) of the chilled mixture into balls and then zeppelin-shaped barrels.
- You should make about 35.
- Refrigerate again for 15-30 minutes.
- Heat some oil for deep-frying to 190C (375 Fahrenheit).
- Put the beaten eggs and breadcrumbs into separate, shallow dishes.
- Dip the croquetas 4-5 at a time into the beaten egg and then the breadcrumbs and deep-fry for 2 minutes until crisp and lightly golden.
Enjoy!