Ham Croquettes ( Croquetas de Jamón) Spain

Ham Croquettes or "Croquetas de jamón"

Croquettes exist in every country in varied forms.  Many are made from potato, others are made of bechamel sauce and then filled with fish, chicken, ham or almost anything that might make the filling flavorful.  Today, these croquettes are a typical favorite of all times in Spain and are also considered a " tapa" which if you travel to Spain you will see that all the bars, cafes and restaurants have a selection of varied 'Tapas" which traditionally are light appetizers  to keep you going before your main meal.
INGREDIENTS
Two hard boiled eggs
 1 cup of Serrano jam cut up in small pieces ( use cheap cuts of this jam)
Flour  (as needed)
Milk   ( as needed)
Butter (one stick or 1/2 cup)
Salt  to taste
1 or 2 eggs
Bread crumbs
Oil to fry
METHOD

Bechamel sauce

Final paste with pieces of ham

Place in a large frying pan one stick of butter to melt.  You will then add one tablespoon at a time  flour so that you make a consistent paste.  Next you slowly add milk stirring continuously so that yo always have a nice smooth paste that as you add milk and stir and it cooks it will become  a nice thick and smooth  cream.  Once you have achieve the consistency you need to form the shapes of the croquettes,  you will then add the chopped jam and the chopped hard boiled eggs.  Place then on a large plate to cool for at least one hour.
Once the paste has cooled, beat a couple of eggs in a small bowl.  On a plate put one cup of bread crumb, then take small portions of the paste with two teaspoons and make the shapes then, drop in the egg mixture and coat well. From the egg you transfer to the bread crumbs and coat well.  Then fry in a small frying pan with sufficient oil or you can use a fryer.  Drain well from excess oil and enjoy!!!!