Stuffed Prosciutto Balls Food

ARANCINI, ITALIAN RICE BALLS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion, garlic, bay leaf and sauté for about 3 minutes or just until the onion is soft and translucent.
• Stir in the rice.
• Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil then lower to a simmer.
• Cook the rice until tender and all the liquid has absorbed, for about 20 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and discard it.
• Once the rice is cooked, transfer to a bowl and cool completely.
• When cooled stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, beaten egg and egg yolk.
• Divide the mixture in 12 equal portions and place the portions on a small tray. Having these portions ready will make it easier to fill the rice balls.
• Keep a small bowl filled with water close by and from time to time moisten your hands for easy rolling of the rice balls. This step will greatly minimize any fuss and mess when rolling the balls. Trust me and you can thank me later!
• Combine the prosciutto and mozzarella together in a small bowl.
• With moistened hands, scoop up 1/4 cup of the rice mixture and cup it in one hand. Use your other hand to flatten it slightly while making an indentation. Place about a teaspoon of the mozzarella and prosciutto mixture in the middle. Close your hand, making a fist and gently roll into a ball. If needed, you can always add more rice.
• Place the rice ball on a greased cookie sheet and repeat with the remaining rice and filling to form 12 rice balls.
• Moisten your hands with water as often as needed for easy rolling. This will prevent the rice from sticking too much on your hands and you will be able to roll the rice balls effortlessly.
• Roll the rice balls, one at a time, first in the flour then in the egg whites and finely in the bread crumbs while turning to coat all over and place them back on a cookie sheet.
• Cover with plastic wrap and then chill for 30 minutes.
• In the meantime, line a cookie sheet with paper towels and place it next to your stove.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a dutch oven or a deep frying pan (the oil should measure about 2 inches deep), to 350*F. Use a deep frying thermometer for accuracy. Make sure there is enough oil in the pan to ensure they cook evenly and to avoid any from bursting.
• Use a wire skimmer or a large slotted spoon to gently lower the rice balls into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd them.
• Fry the rice balls for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy all over. You can also keep them warm in the oven preheated to 200*F while you fry up the rest.
• When ready, remove with the wire skimmer or your slotted spoon and place them on the prepared cookie sheet to drain.
• Repeat with the remaining rice balls.
• Serve while hot alongside a crispy salad or wth your favourite tomato sauce.

MEATBALL-STUFFED PASTA BRAIN

Steps:

• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Warm the marinara and meatballs in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, about 10 minutes. Remove 1 cup of the sauce and reserve.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the udon noodles according to package instructions; drain.
• Roll a 24-inch piece of foil into a prism shape. Crumble and flatten 2 more 24-inch pieces of foil into an 8-by-4-inch oval shape. Place the prism in the center of a 10-cup heatproof bowl and bend the ends so that the foil is pressed against the bowl and divides the bowl in half (this will make the 2 hemispheres of a brain). Place the 2 foil ovals on either side of the prism. Cover all 3 with an 18-inch piece of foil, pressing it into the foil barrier shapes. This is the brain mold. Generously spray the mold with nonstick spray.
• Whisk the mozzarella, eggs, reserved sauce and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan in a large bowl until combined. Add the noodles to the egg mixture and toss until evenly coated. Transfer half of the noodles to the mold, pressing gently to create a well in the center of the noodles. Cover the well with half of the prosciutto (do to not let it touch the foil or it will stick). Fill the well with the meatballs (leaving remaining sauce behind) and then top with the remaining prosciutto, forming gently to create a pocket of meatballs in the center of the brain. Top with the remaining noodles and arrange so that they fill in all the gaps, surround the meat and are pressed firmly against the walls of the mold. Toss the breadcrumbs with the oil and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan in a small bowl, then evenly sprinkle over the noodles, pressing them down into the noodles to adhere.
• Bake until the breadcrumbs are a deep golden brown and the noodles have completely set, 30 to 40 minutes. Let sit in the mold for 30 minutes before removing. Invert onto a cutting board and pour the remaining sauce down the center channel of the brain.

FRIED RISOTTO BALLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat the stock in a medium saucepan over low heat to simmering.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium straight-sided skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften but does not color, about 4 minutes. Add the rice and toss to coat in the oil. Add the white wine and cook until completely absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Ladle in enough stock to just cover the rice. Adjust the heat so the liquid is simmering evenly. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is almost absorbed. Add the stock twice more in this manner (you may not use all of the stock) until the risotto is creamy and al dente, 16 to 18 minutes from the first addition of liquid. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan and butter until smooth. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet and let cool completely.
• Once the risotto is cooled, scrape it into a large mixing bowl. Beat 1 egg and add to the bowl along with the fontina and prosciutto (separating any clumps of prosciutto with your fingers). Stir to combine. Line the baking sheet with a clean sheet of parchment. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the risotto into your hands and roll into a ball. Place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining risotto, to get about 18 balls. Refrigerate until just firm, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat about 2 inches vegetable oil in a medium Dutch oven to 350 degrees F. Break the remaining 2 eggs into a shallow bowl and beat with a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of water. Spread the flour and breadcrumbs in 2 separate shallow bowls.
• Dredge the balls in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs, taking care to coat them completely. Return them to the baking sheet.
• Fry the balls in 2 or 3 batches until deep golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per batch, letting the oil return to temperature before adding another batch. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with Parmesan and chopped parsley.

CANAPéS & COCKTAILS

Steps:

• Spicy prawn skewers Marinate 150g cooked prawns in zest and juice 1 lime, 1 tbsp soy sauce, ½ finely chopped chilli, 2 tsp grated fresh root ginger and 1 tsp clear honey for 20 mins-1 hr. To serve, lay each prawn on a baby spinach leaf and thread a cocktail stick through (makes 28).
• Stuffed prosciutto balls Mash 100g feta with ½ finely chopped chilli, 2 tsp chopped mint and zest and juice ¼ lemon. Roll into 24 small balls. Quarter 6 prosciutto slices lengthways, then wrap each prosciutto strip around a feta ball (makes 24).
• Cucumber salmon Cut 1 large cucumber into 20 thick slices and scoop out some of the seedy middle, leaving a dip. Mix 200ml crème fraîche with zest 1 lemon and freshly ground black pepper, then spoon 1 tsp into each dip. Top with a piece smoked salmon, lemon zest and some black pepper (makes 20).
• Festive crackers Take 20 small crackers (we used Morrisons Gouda cheese & mixed seeds cracker bites) or 20 homemade crostini. Spread 1 tsp red pesto onto each cracker, top each with a piece of mozzarella from a 125g ball and garnish with basil leaves (makes 20).
• Curried chicken poppadums Arrange a 75g tub mini poppadums on a plate and slice 85g cooked chicken so there's 1 piece per poppadum. Mix together ½ tsp curry powder, 100ml crème fraîche and zest ½ lemon, put 1 tsp in each poppadum with ½ tsp mango chutney, then finish with a slice of chicken and some chopped coriander. Best assembled just before serving so the poppadums stay crisp (makes 20).
• Christmas mojitos Put 140g fresh or frozen cranberries, a handful mint and 2 tbsp brown sugar in a bowl. Crush with the end of a rolling pin, then add a couple of handfuls of crushed ice and stir to mix. Add a shot of vodka to 6-8 tall glasses, divide the cranberry crush between them, then top up with cranberry juice and sparkling water (serves 6-8).

GINA'S ARANCINI

Steps:

• Combine the rice and broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is soft and creamy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.
• While the rice is cooking, heat the butter and olive oil in a small pan over medium heat and add the prosciutto. Cook until it begins to crisp, about 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Once the rice is cooked, remove to a large baking sheet and let cool for 10 minutes. (Rice can be made a day ahead, cooled, and stored in the refrigerator overnight.)
• While the rice is cooling, pour 1/2 cup (120 ml) room-temperature water into a shallow bowl. Place the bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. Set both aside.
• Once the rice is cool, combine it with the crisped prosciutto, egg, parsley, Parmigiano cheese, and salt in a large bowl.
• Using an ice cream scoop or lightly wet hands, create a 2-inch (5-cm) round ball with the rice mixture. Make an indentation in the middle and add a cube of mozzarella cheese. Encase the cheese with rice and reshape into a perfect ball, then set on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining rice mixture.
• Using your hands, lightly wet the outside of each of the rice balls with the room-temperature water, then roll in the bread crumbs. Set them on the baking sheet.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot to 350°F (175°C). Drop 4 rice balls into the oil (they should fully submerge) and cook until the outside is golden brown, about 3 minutes. If your pot is wide, carefully roll the rice balls in the oil to ensure even cooking on all sides.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining rice balls. They are best eaten at room temperature, garnished with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese, if you can wait!