Ham croquettes from Taberna Arzabal
I like the ham croquettes, above the cod, prawn, mushroom, black pudding, etc. The perfect ones are on the verge of disaster, so fluid is their interior. A smooth and creamy bechamel , with an intense flavor of ham, caught in a thin crispy batter . Of course, fried in very clean olive oil, if it is extra virgin, much better. My experience tells me that the best are prepared in the North of Spain , because in the South the custom of making them with broth and adding a lot of meat is widespread (they are known as croquetas 'of pringá' ) which, in my opinion, impoverishes the result. This statement has cost me long discussions with the chef from Malaga, Dani García, and we still haven't reached an agreement, nor do I think we ever will.
These are my 12 favorites:
1) martial house (La Salgar, 10. Parres-La Salgar. Asturias). The croquettes of Nacho Manzano They have an intense flavor of ham and an unusual bechamel. With traveling vocation , you can also find his croquettes at La Salgar, his restaurant in Gijon , and in Ibérica, the chain of tapas bars that he has in London, where he is a great ambassador of the Spanish Cuisine.
two) ** Echaurren ** (Father José García, 19. Ezcaray. La Rioja). The croquettes of Francis Paniego , heir to the recipe of his mother Marisa Sánchez are a myth. In addition to ham, they include chicken and a hard-boiled egg. The secret hours of "give the doll" so that the bechamel is creamy and fine.
3) ** Taberna Arzabal ** (Doctor Castelo, 2. Madrid) They are made with sheep's milk , which gives them a special unctuousness and aftertaste, and Iberian Ham . Of intermediate size, the proportion between batter and bechamel is perfect.
4) ** The fifth wine ** (Hernani, 48. Madrid) The croquettes of Mrs. Hope They have a long list of addicts. Tavern croquettes, formed by hand, from beautiful size and with a taste of ham.
The Mediterranean interior of Mercatbar, in blue and white.
5) ** Casa Gerardo ** (Ctra. Nal. 632, Km. 79.5. Prendes. Asturias) . Creamy, light, well fried... The recipe for the Moran family withstands unscathed the passage of time. To enjoy them at the bar, with a glass of champagne.
6) ** Viavelez ** (General Perón, 10. Madrid). the Asturian Paco Rum has brought to Madrid the tradition of good Asturian croquette . Extremely creamy and well fried. They can be taken at the bar or in the restaurant. Of course, ham.
7) ** IO ** (Manuel de Falla, 5. Madrid). The new place of Javier Oyrbide The menu maintains one of the landmarks of Príncipe de Viana, the restaurant founded by his father. Ham croquettes, from little size , elegant and very fine as corresponds to bourgeois cuisine.
8) ** Asador El Ciprés ** (Plaza Jardines de Don Diego 1. Aranda de Duero. Burgos). croquettes home cut and intense flavor of ham. creamy , well fried, with a light and crunchy batter.
Boletus croquettes from Taberna Arzabal in Madrid
9) ** Mercat Bar ** (Joaquín Costa, 25. Valencia) Crispy and golden , with the interior full of Iberian ham, this is how Quique Dacosta's croquettes are.
10) ** Gate 57 ** (Padre Damián s/n. Madrid). in one of the bars best stocked Madrid, good-sized croquettes, smooth bechamel sauce and intense ham flavour.
eleven) ** Mirror ** (Corsica, 255. Barcelona) The cook Paco Perez offers superb ham croquettes in Barcelona. High kitchen applied to a traditional recipe.
12) ** Keki ** (Fuensanta, 4. Murcia). very high level that of these croquettes to eat in two bites that are coated in panko (Japanese bread) and are crispier than normal.
Portal de Echaurren, traditional and avant-garde cuisine