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Gastronomic Recommendations

The gastronomy of Spain and its croquettes
Gastronomic Recommendations

The gastronomy of Spain and its croquettes

By Eloísa Carmona - 2021-05-28T13:44:14Z
Spanish gastronomy is famous for its tradition, ingredients, and great variety, so many of us know some of its most emblematic dishes, from paella to its characteristic snack: ham croquettes.

The history of Spanish cuisine is closely related to the geographical location of the country, which is located on the Iberian Peninsula, almost entirely surrounded by water, making seafood one of the pillars of Spanish gastronomy and the cause of the country's generally Mediterranean diet. The diverse terrain of Spain includes mountain ranges, lush pastures, extensive coastlines, and fertile farmland, providing a variety of fresh produce. 

But its proximity to other countries, like France, has also inherited dishes like croquettes, a typical snack served as tapas in bars and restaurants, filled with various ingredients such as cod, ham, spinach, or chicken, for example.

These small and delicious bites originate from leftovers, as they make use of what remained from previous stews and casseroles. Now croquettes are so famous and so Spanish that they even have a date on the calendar dedicated to them.

According to the Spanish cooking site Cocinatis, the secret to croquettes lies in the béchamel, but also in 6 key points of preparation:
  1. The dough should be lump-free: the tip to achieve this is to warm the milk before adding it to the pan.
  2. Sift the flour: the name for this is to sift, but it involves straining the flour to make it finer and avoid lumps.
  3. Use a whisk: there’s no better way to ensure that the béchamel will be perfect than by using a whisk to mix it.
  4. Fry the ham: this step will add more flavor if done before adding the flour and milk.
  5. Choose your breading wisely: to achieve that perfect crunch, coat your croquettes twice, or try making them with panko.
  6. Bake instead of frying: if you want a slightly lighter version, try putting the croquettes in the oven, spraying them with cooking oil, and cooking them at 200 °C for about 15 minutes.