I have a work project on at the moment which is keeping me busy, so at home we´ve got a week or so of quicker to cook dishes coming up, or slow cooked dishes that I can put in the oven and then forget about for a few hours.
This speedy light lunch or supper is often served as a “child friendly” dish here in Spain. Sometimes you just don´t fancy “fancy” food. Something simple and speedy, and just a little naughty is required. Deep fried ham and cheese coated in breadcrumbs hits the spot. And if you serve it up with a dollop of ketchup and a fried egg with a runny yolk – well I won´t tell anyone that you´re not 9 years old!
Per person you´ll need
- 2 large slices of your favourite ham
- Enough thin slices of cheese to almost cover the ham (choose one that melts like cheddar, mozzarella etc)
- A beaten egg plus 2 tablespoons of milk (this is enough for 4 slices of ham)
- Dried breadcrumbs to coat the ham
- Hot oil for frying
Place the cheese on the ham and either roll it up or fold it over to make a “sandwich”. Use a toothpick if necessary to keep your San Jacobo closed, but don´t forget to remove before eating…!
Dip the ham in the egg then the breadcrumbs and then repeat. This will give you a good seal so that the cheese doesn´t ooze out as it melts when it cooks, and a super crispy coating.
Get your oil very hot and fry (you can deep or shallow fry – your decision). Remove when browned and serve immediately.
I tried to find out why these little fried ham parcels are called “Saint Jacobs” but no one seems to know. At least it makes the meal sound a little more gourmet than it actually is. Make sure you have a cold beer to hand as a medical aid in case you burn your tongue on that lovely melted cheese.
PS. Happy Valentine´s Day to you all – young. old, single or happily with someone, it´s all about love…so go on, go out today and hug someone!
Chica Andaluza 
Oh my. If I were to make this my arteries will not thank me but my taste buds would :o)). Why oh why is it that these two are so often at odds? No, don’t answer that, I’ll ignore the cries from one side or the other at my leisure thanks.
All I have to do now is convert one of my daughters to the value of cheese and we’ll be having this when I get back from the supermarket…..
Can´t imagine life without cheese! And I guess you could spray it with a little oil and bake it to make it healthier…it´s not something we eat every day (or even every month), but it was what we needed 🙂
Yeah but baking it wouldn’t be as tasty!! Don’t get me wrong this is going to be made at some stage when I decide I have to try it (probably soon)… I too couldn’t live without cheese …. Gorgeous stuff. Oh, except blue.
Whatever your project, I hope it’s a fun one! Happy Valentines Day, young lovers! Salud! xo
Thank you from the (not so Young but Young at Heart) lovers…!
i know this is probably bad but that looks SO GOOD! Nursery food here i come!! c
It is kind of naughty, but once in a while….!
I would hug Katherine, but she’s not here. I’m off to hug a dog. Oh and this looks AMAZING with a capital zing.
A capital zing eh – that´s good! And I think hugging dogs is always a good thing (apart from when they are covered in mud..a bit messy) 🙂
These do look good, Tanya, and a little of what’s bad for us is a good thing. At least that’s what I tell myself whenever I start heating up the oil to deep fry something. Here’s wishing you and “Big Man” a great Valentine’s Day!
Thanks John and wishing you a lovely day too … it´s all a bit silly really isn´t it?! And yes, a little of what is bad for us just every now and then is not such a bad thing 😉
*HUGS* to you Tanya! Happy Valentine’s Day!
These goodies look simple but truly delicious!
Thanks Tia – have a lovely day!
This looks so comforting and wonderfully delicious! You just can’t beat quick and tasty foods. Happy Valentine’s Day, Tanya!
Thanks Betsy – fast (and slightly naughty food) does the trick sometimes!
I just showed hubby that pic and his eyes popped out of his head! You know what will be on our menu soon.
Hope you enjoy it if you make it (so easy!)
Yum! I have an Asian approach to this one, we use spring roll wrappers instead of breading. I will try your version soon, and I agree its quick and easy
I can imagine that lovely crunch with the spring roll wrappers – that would be so good!
I love melt cheese, it looks simply and delicious,,,,Happy Valentine’s day to yo to!!!!
Thank you! And yes, there´s something sooo good about melted cheese 🙂
My husband would absolutely love these. Maybe I should make him some for a valentines day dinner? (Actually my mouth is now watering quite a lot too… I think I’ll need to have a trial run at lunch first)!! x
There easy and just a little bit naughty…I´m sure you´d both enjoy them!
Nice idea for those days when there is no time …..
Exactly – sometimes bread and cheese just won´t do it when you´re in a rush!
I love it when the egg yolk runs everywhere!
Me too – the white cooked and set and the yolk soft and runny!
That looks so good. And I feel better knowing that you make simple meals as well. I don’t feel so guilty 🙂
I thought of you as I wrote this one as I remembered you saying something once about not imagining me making simple meals!
🙂 Now I know I’m wrong…shhhh….don’t tell anyone!
Your secret is safe with me!
Looks very good, Tanya. To my husband who loves the Dutch “kroket”, this will also become an instant favorite along with his very cold beer. 😉
I imagine it must be quite similar!
The kroket is ragout that is cooled, rolled alternately in egg and breadcrumbs and deep-fried.
I’d order this off a menu for lunch! 😀
9, 19, 29 49, whatever, bring it on! 🙂 and the crispy coating looks done to perfection !
If you´re brave and get that oil really hot, it´s not in there for long (which I guess is a little healthier) and it´s wonderfully crispy….and yes, any age will do!
And I´d be happy to be the “short order” cook for you!
Yuuuum, but I would leave out the jamon!
I guess they´re not the best for vegetarians, but you could wrap the cheese in a grilled pepper – that would be good!
Ooo la la – naughty but oh so nice! Will have to treat Pete to these soon.
🙂 Mandy
It´s good to be naughty and nice sometimes! Lucky Pete 😉
Happy Valentines Day Tanya! What an interesting recipe!! I’ve never seen this before. Its going to be a nice weekend lunch very soon! I know my son will absolutely love this!!
It´s homemade fast food! You have a happy day too 🙂
Oh Chica – these look amazing! Totally amazing… they remind me a bit of the french “Cordon Bleu”, but those are usually made with turkey I think, and are usually a rather sorry looking affair compared to these golden, home-made, delicious little packets.
Cheese and ham is always a sure-fire winner – nice one 😀
Have never had those – I know these are not exactly gourmet (or even Cordon Bleu!) but they are tasty!
WOW! Thank you dear Chica, with my love, nia
You´re welcoem Nia!
Jeje… Feliz San Jacobo Tanya!!
Una receta muy rica. Yo siempre los compro hechos, pero creo que ahora los haré 😉
Y yo los compraba antes, pero son tan fáciles a hacer…y también los Flamenquines que creo que voy a hacer esta semana!
Don’t you worry, you can go ahead and tell the truth: I *am* a nine-year-old! So many fabulous favorite ingredients in one meal!!!! Out of my way, I’m coming through! 😀
I think lots of us still feel childlike in our hearts, and that´s no bad thing at all!
I can’t believe I never had deep fried ham and cheese before. Boy does it look so darn good. The shape of it reminds me of mozzarella sticks as well. Wonderful recipe
You´re right – they´re like inside out mozzarella sticks!
Basically… croquetas!!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOOOOOOVE croquetas. My mother-in-law spoils me and makes us all sorts of croquetas to freeze and take home with us. It was also the very first thing she taught me to make after D-Man and I had been dating for only 3 months (the spinach ones con piñones, mmmmm). Oh yours look so deliciously cheesy… no joke, I’m almost crying over here, I want one soo baadly!!
They are almost aren´t they! And you´re lucky your suegra taught you to make croquetas – I had to figure it out myself 😦 I love them too, wish she´d send me over a batch for my freezer 😉
Sometimes I think little ones have all the fun 🙂
I hope your project turns out perfectly Tanya
I know what you mean! And thanks for the good wishes, all going well so far.
This delicious food I wish I can nibble right now. My tummy is growling. Such a visual delight as always . Happy Valentine’s Day. Wishing you all the love and joy…
It is definitiely good food to stop a rumbling tummy!
This looks delicious, what are your up to? I am a little (okay a lot) snoopy!
Will let you know, something that´s keeping me busy!
Melty cheese with ham! What’s not to love. Mmmmmmmmmm!
Exactly!
🙂
YUM YUM YUM!!!!!!!!!
😉