January 16: World Croquette Day

January 16 is World Croquette Day. The idea came from a communications agency, which created a campaign for a restaurant in Madrid that specializes in croquettes.

It is said that the word croquette comes from the word croquer, which in French means to crack and is the sound that this delicious dish is supposed to make when it comes into contact with our palate. But where and when did the croquette originate?

A little history about croquettes

The date of its birth has not yet been fully verified. There are those who say that it was the idea of ​​the court chef of Louis XIV in 1619 and others attribute the gastronomic invention to the founder of classical cuisine, Monsieur Escoffier, in 1898. Originally, this recipe was intended to use up leftovers, but over time, béchamel sauce has become an important ingredient, thanks to chefs such as Antonin Carême.

Spain, a land of croquettes

No one disputes that croquettes originated in France, yet they reached their greatest popularity in Spain. Today, it is estimated that Spaniards consume more than 3.7 billion croquettes per year. This equates to approximately 2.5 kilos per person.

Secrets to making a perfect croquette

There is not much science behind making a croquette, some would say, but even though it is a simple recipe, there are a few basic tricks to make them nice and crispy.

As for the ingredients, there are many different ones: from the classic Iberian ham croquettes, chicken croquettes, cheese croquettes, sardine croquettes, tofu croquettes, to shrimp croquettes, seafood croquettes and even chocolate croquettes.

The versatility of this dish makes it a must-have in any self-respecting bar or restaurant.

The art of the croquette

To make a good croquette, you have to pay attention to detail. The béchamel sauce should have the ideal consistency: creamy but firm, without traces of raw flour. It is important that this batter is crispy and airy.

The real secret lies in the way it is cooked. Use a deep pan or at least a deep fryer, so that you can completely immerse the croquettes in the oil. Croquettes need a lot of oil so that it does not cool down too quickly when you fry them. You do not have to turn them over and you prevent them from falling apart.

Now you know: International Croquette Day is the perfect excuse to make your favorite recipe and share it with us.

¡Buen provecho!♥