Croquetas de Atun, or Tuna Croquettes, is a popular Spanish dish that is perfect for appetizers, snacks, or even as a main course. This delicious and crispy fried dish is a must-try for anyone visiting Spain. In this blog post, we will be sharing with you a detailed recipe on how to make Croquetas de Atun at home.
Ingredients
To make 20-25 croquetas, you will need: - 1 can of tuna (160g) - 1/2 onion, finely chopped - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 1/4 cup of butter (60g) - 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour (30g) - 1 1/2 cups of milk (375ml) - 1/4 tsp of nutmeg - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 egg, lightly beaten - 1 cup of breadcrumbs (120g) - Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make delicious Croquetas de Atun: Step 1: Prepare the Tuna Filling - Drain the tuna can and set it aside. - In a pan, heat up a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. - Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and fry until soft and translucent. - Add the drained tuna and mix well. - Season with salt and pepper to taste. - Remove the pan from the heat and set aside. Step 2: Make the Bechamel Sauce - In a separate pan, melt the butter over low heat. - Add the flour to the pan and whisk well until smooth. - Gradually add the milk to the pan, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. - Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens and becomes smooth. - Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper to taste. - Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down for a few minutes. Step 3: Combine the Tuna Filling and Bechamel Sauce - Add the tuna filling to the bechamel sauce and mix well. - Return the pan to the heat and keep stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes a solid mass. - Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down completely. - Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least two hours. Step 4: Shape and Coat the Croquetas - Once the mixture is cold and solid, take a spoonful of it and shape it into a croquette. - Dip the croquette into the beaten egg and then roll it into the breadcrumbs, making sure it is well coated. - Repeat the process until all the croquetas are shaped and coated. Step 5: Fry the Croquetas - Heat up a pan with enough vegetable oil to deep fry the croquetas. - Once the oil is hot, carefully add the croquetas to the pan and fry until golden brown. - Use a slotted spoon to remove the croquetas from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to remove any excess oil. Step 6: Serve and Enjoy - Croquetas de Atun are best served hot and crispy, so serve them immediately.
Croquetas de Atun is a delicious and easy-to-make Spanish dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following our detailed recipe, you can now make this mouth-watering appetizer at home and impress your guests. So go ahead and give it a try, we promise you won't be disappointed!