Chicken Cordon Bleu

2 whole chicken breasts -- boned and skinned
1/2 cup cooked ham -- minced
1/2 cup cheddar cheese -- grated
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Salt
black pepper
1 egg
1 cup bread crumbs
6 cups peanut oil

Cut each chicken breast in half; remove tendons. One at a time, pound breast halves flat.
Combine minced ham and grated cheese with hands. Form into four rolls to fit in middle of a flattened breast half (about 3 inches long). Place a roll on each breast half and fold breast half around it, beginning with one long side, then short sides, finishing with a long side -- like an envelope. Press edges together and roll each piece as it is finished in a sheet of waxed paper while you finish with other preparations.

Season flour with salt and pepper. Beat egg lightly with 1 teaspoon water. Line up a plate with flour, a shallow dish with beaten egg, and a plate with bread crumbs. One by one, roll each piece in flour to coat, then dip in egg, coating completely, and roll in bread crumbs, pressing crumbs into egg coating. Place chicken pieces on a tray and refrigerate for one hour.

Heat peanut oil in a fryer or wok to 350 degrees. Fry chicken pieces, two at a time, in hot oil, until browned evenly and firm to the touch.

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