Fried Ham & Cheese Bread Balls (Bitterballen Roti Tawar)

So happy to find another great recipe for leftover white bread - this is really another superb alternative if you just dun feel like eating bread pudding :)

Found the recipe at Hesti's site - another avid talented Indonesian food blogger with numerous wonderful recipe - I always drool a pail everytime visiting her blog :)
So glad to know she does participate in this month's AB event too :)

Crisp on the outside, soft in the inside

1 recipe yields 30 balls - gone in an hour - very very positive feedback from the whole family - thks, Hesti! :)

Originally this snack does not use bread, but instead potatoes
This Dutch influenced snack is very popular in Indonesia but in Dutch itself, the recipe only uses flour, no potato or bread used

Those with bread make more bouncy fluffy kind of balls rather than those with potatoes which make more dense type - but both are yummy :)

What you need: (modified to my preference)

50g margarine

1/2 onion - chopped

70g ham, cut small

50g plain flour

6 white bread - use only the white part

200ml warm fresh milk

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

50g grated cheddar cheese

oil to fry

For coating:

4 egg whites. lightly beaten

200g japanese breadcrumb

Blend milk and bread til smooth, set aside

Heat margarine on the pan, stir fry onion til fragrant and soft - off heat

Add in ham and plain flour, stir well til forming lumps

Add in the bread+milk mixture, stir til smooth

Add in salt, pepper, nutmeg, cheese - mix til well incorporated

Form 1 tbsp of the batter to balls, dip into the breadcrumbs, eggwhites then breadcrumbs again

Heat alot of oil til real hot, fry the balls til golden brown - keep on rolling the balls to get even color

Eat with bottled chilli sauce

Absolutely delicious! :)