Tag: European
Lemon Ricotta Meatballs with Orzo
Lemon Ricotta Meatballs with Orzo
This Italian-inspired dish is to die for. The chicken meatballs contain whipped ricotta and lemon zest, giving them a creamy tanginess. After they are browned, orzo pasta is simmered in chicken stock. Then heavy cream, butter, and lemon juice is stirred in; finished with shredded parmesan and freshly chopped parsley. It tastes so good, you’d think grandma made it.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup flour
- olive oil
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg beaten
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lemon zested
- salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 1/2 cup shallots chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- shredded parmesan for garnish
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Mix together all of the meatball ingredients.
- Form into 1” meatballs.
- Lightly coat the meatballs in flour.
- Heat up an 1/8” of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the meatballs.
- Brown for 10-12 minutes total on all sides. Remove from the pan.
- Add in the shallots. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add in the garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the orzo. Cook until al dente; about 8 -10 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, butter, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add in the meatballs and cook for 2 minutes.
Biala Kielbasa (White Polish Sausage)
Biala Kielbasa (White Polish Sausage)
Sausage is a staple of Polish cuisine. The word “kielbasa” happens to mean sausage in Polish. Sausage is so popular in Poland that the government has official guides of classification based upon size, meat used, ready-to-eat, and raw varieties. This particular recipe is for biala kielbasa(Polish white sausage). This garlicky tube of meat is made out of pork shoulder and bacon, ground together; flavored with salt, pepper, marjoram, sugar, and the aforementioned garlic. The sausage is found raw, not smoked; typically used in soups, boiled in beer, or grilled.
Equipment
- meat grinder
- sausage stuffer
Ingredients
- 4 lbs boneless pork shoulder cut into small cubes
- 1 lb bacon diced
- 8 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tsp marjoram
- 3/4 cup ice water
- pork sausage casings
Instructions
- Mix together the spices. Set aside.
- Mix together the pork shoulder, bacon, and whole garlic cloves.
- Grind using a medium ground plate.
- Thoroughly mix the spices and ice water together.
- Pipe the sausage into the casings with your sausage stuffer.
- Twist to 6” in length. Let rest in the refrigerator overnight before cutting to dry out the casing.
Irish Fish Cakes
Irish Fish Cakes
Irish fish cakes are a popular pub food all over Ireland. The fish cakes were created during the great potato famine; where fish was an inexpensive ingredient due to Ireland being surrounded by water. Typically, cod is used, but haddock, whitefish, tilapia, and even salmon are suitable substitutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cod
- 1 cup milk
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 cups russet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp tarragon
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Place the cod fillets in a pot with the bay leaves. Pour in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the fillets and cook for 2 more minutes. Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes until the fillets are cooked through. Scoop out the fillets and let cool in a bowl.
- In another pot, boil the potatoes until fork tender; about 8-10 minutes. Strain, then place in the bowl with the cod, allowing to cool.
- Mash the potatoes and cod together with a fork.
- Add in all of the ingredients.
- Mix thoroughly together.
- Form into 1/3 cup cakes. Let rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Heat an 1/8” of vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Place the fish cakes in the pan.
- Fry for 5-6 minutes a side until golden brown and crispy.
