- This particular route is dominated by ham, but there are also options featuring cured beef, hake and prawns, oxtail and even fabada (a traditional bean stew), making it impossible to get more out of your food.
- For home cooks, the Solobuey online shop is the perfect place to find your favourite “flavour”: Iberian ham, pancetta, chicken, cheese, chorizo… stuffing, toppings and this year, we’re even going to add sauce! Specifically, Juana Madrid, the spicy sauce with a bar flavour.
Queens of tapas, essential to any order, of course, ‘my grandmother’s are the best’, their day – 16 January – is just an excuse to keep eating croquettes.
Croqueteando
Julio Camba, 5. Madrid. Tel. 676 74 52 93.
With views of Las Ventas, Casa Toro is the traditional Andalusian tavern you don’t expect. The project bears the signature of César Molero, a restaurateur with skill, heart and vision, also the creator of El Tentadero, who welcomes customers every day and pays attention to every detail so that everyone feels at home. Fran Porras is in charge of the kitchen, offering authentic, well-prepared cuisine with a nod to the south and a menu that appeals from start to finish. To start with, alongside some Torreznos campeones (literally, “champion pork crackling”) – some delicious croquettes, perfect as an appetiser or to accompany a mid-afternoon drink, because some of their dishes can be enjoyed throughout the day from 12:30 p.m. until closing time and are perfect for their famous afternoon snacks. Half portions cost €8 and full portions €14.50.
Creamy Iberian ham croquettes
Andrés Mellado, 21. Madrid. Tel. 91 598 94 01.
It was founded in 2020, breaking the mould with its street food cuisine based on local seasonal produce with an international twist. The result is a menu with something for everyone, designed to be shared, or not… because its croquettes, the only dish that hasn’t changed in five years (and for good reason), are sold individually (at £2.50),
although the truth is that they are so good that you want to eat a dozen. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and with plenty of ham, they are always included in the order.
Joselito ham croquettes with a veil of Iberian pork jowl
Arturo Soria, 207. Madrid. Tel. 918 965 925.
Since its opening in May 2020, with Jesús González Espartero at the helm, it has become one of the most famous gardens in the capital, and its croquettes, on the menu since then, are a must. The maxim of “product, quality and tradition” is also present in this tasty, homemade dish, which appeals to young and old alike. As a new feature, they have changed the batter and now they are super crispy on the outside; on the inside, as always, they are very creamy. They cost €15.50 for 7 pieces and their presentation is very Instagrammable.
Iberian ham croquettes coated in panko
Inhala Hotel Garden – 7ª planta – San Bernardo, 1. Madrid. Tel. 91 559 49 31 / 618 670 046. Public car park next to the hotel.
With a privileged location in the heart of the city, just a few metres from Gran Vía, this rooftop restaurant is ideal for taking a break from a day of shopping and paying homage to this iconic snack. The menu includes the classic Iberian ham or prawn and hake versions, both served in portions of 8 for £16.50 and £17.50 respectively. To round off the experience, there is nothing like enjoying the spectacular panoramic views and the hanging garden hidden inside, with more than 2,500 plants and a 20-metre waterfall. We also highly recommend enjoying one of their cocktails while contemplating the rooftops of Madrid. Shall we go up?
Hake and prawn croquettes
Iberian ham croquettes
Croquetas de jamón ibérico
San Juan, 3. Burgos. Tel. 947 04 04 20.
Ricardo Temiño and Cristina Lázaro have been winning over diners for 11 years at this restaurant, recommended in the Michelin and Repsol guides, where sitting down means enjoying tradition, well-executed, recognisable recipes that always hit the spot. It’s no surprise that they serve an executive menu that has legions of loyal fans. The menu is perfect for sharing, and there’s nothing like starting with classics such as their croquettes – which they change regularly so as not to bore their loyal customers – and their delicious fritters. The stars of the day are served in half portions (€7) and whole portions (€13), and they are so good that you’ll want to go back for seconds.
Cecina croquettes
Gumiel de Mercado, Burgos.
In the heart of Castile, this 17th-century hunting lodge is the perfect end to a day of wine tourism in Pradorey. Located 2 km from the winery, this historic accommodation stands out both for its surroundings and its gastronomic offerings, based on seasonal cuisine that pays homage to local produce, classic dishes and contemporary presentation. The menu includes creamy and tasty croquettes (€12), which can be paired with one of the house wines, such as Adaro, a tribute to the brand’s founder, Javier Cremades, which is always a hit. After an evening full of flavours and fine wines, there is nothing better than staying to rest and unwind in one of its 18 rooms… what a plan!
Oxtail croquettes
Vía de las Dos Castillas, 23. Pozuelo de Alarcón. Madrid. Tel. 91 162 74 29.
With 18 years of experience, this meat lover’s paradise is much more than that, because Cata Lupu also excels at making croquettes. They are made with a very fine batter and sold individually for €2.10. All of them stand out for their delicate texture and unrivalled flavour, but without a doubt, the fabada croquettes are a must-try on any visit. Spectacular! Also very typical of Asturias is to finish the meal with their rice pudding.
Homemade ham croquettes
Homemade fabada croquettes
Homemade cecina croquettes
Homemade cheese croquettes
Shall we put on our aprons?
In 1963, at the legendary Bar Anci on Calle Alcalá, amid jokes, shouted orders, perfectly poured beers and perfectly fried chips, a unique and distinctive spicy sauce was born, with a fiery red flavour and traditional bar style, which years later would be given a name: Salsa Brava Juana Madrid. This traditional family recipe, which was sold behind the bar of this iconic establishment for more than 50 years, passed through three generations until it reached Ana, who, together with her partner, Juanma, is responsible for bringing this cheerful sauce into homes. And they, in addition to accompanying potatoes, pig’s ear, tortilla… dip croquettes in it! They share this recipe on their social media:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5dSZYMSwj/. And for those who love spicy food, who are also celebrating their day today, we add more heat with extra spicy Salsa Brava Juana Madrid.
INGREDIENTS:
- Crackling
- One small onion
- 100 g flour
- 1 litre whole milk
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Nutmeg
- Egg
- Breadcrumbs
- Pork rinds
- Brava Juana Madrid sauce
STEP BY STEP:
- Fry the pork crackling and set aside.
- Remove some of the oil and add a little butter.
- Fry the onion and when it is golden brown, add the chopped pork crackling without the rind.
- Allow the flavours to blend before adding the flour.
- When the flour is cooked, gradually add the milk, stirring constantly.
- When the dough is almost done, add salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- Finish cooking the dough, remove from the heat and leave to cool for 24 hours.
- Crush the rinds and mix them with the breadcrumbs.
- Shape the croquettes and coat them in flour, egg and the special breadcrumbs.
- Fry the croquettes and drain on kitchen paper.
- Dip the croquettes in original or extra spicy Salsa Brava Juana Madrid.
Pork crackling croquettes with Salsa Brava Juana Madrid
There’s nothing better than homemade croquettes made with quality ingredients, and Solobuey’s online shop is your best ally for finding them. Here you can buy excellent meat and gourmet products such as Iberian ham, pancetta, chicken, torreznos (now that you have the recipe to make them), national and international cheeses… and even smoked salmon and cod. With any of these ingredients, you can make the tastiest filling for this iconic snack; you can also use leftovers from a meat stew or roast kid or suckling pig, as it’s a great recipe for using up leftovers. What’s more, every Friday they share ideas on their social media to inspire keen cooks, and at this time of year there’s always a croquette version.
* Orders are placed through their website, where the delivery times for each product are specified. Shipping is free throughout the British Isles for orders over £60.
Source: AIRES NEWS Comunicación