Showing posts with label Appetisers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appetisers. Show all posts

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Deep fried meatballs in breadcrumbs

Deep fried meatballs in breadcrumbs

I love meatballs, as they remind me of my childhood, my mum, my family and my country Italy. Meatballs are an ideal comfort food for the family, especially for children. They also make a very tasty and economical meal. I never buy the already made ones from the supermarket, as it is so easy to make them.

Ingredients

  • Minced beef, 500g
  • Sunflower oil, 200 ml
  • Natural breadcrumbs for coating, 150g
  • Breadcrumbs, just the soft inner side of the bread loaf, 100g
  • Milk, 150 ml
  • Free-range egg, 4
  • Grated parmesan cheese, 3 tbsp
  • Plain white flour, 5 tbsp
  • Chopped parsley, 1 tbsp
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Ground nutmeg, a pinch


Instructions

Soak the soft breadcrumbs in 150 ml of milk for about 5 minutes. Using your hands, squeeze the breadcrumbs to remove the milk in excess, and transfer into a large bowl. Now add all the other ingredients: the minced meat, 1 whole egg, the grated parmesan cheese, the chopped parsley, salt, pepper and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients until well blended. Form the meatballs, rolling them into tiny balls (the size of large walnut) and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining three eggs with a fork, for a minute or two. Season with a little salt and pepper and set aside. Coating the meatballs: lightly coat each meatball in flour, then dip in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. Heat the sunflower oil in a deep pan and fry the meatballs until golden brown, for about 5 minutes. Remove from the oil, drain on kitchen paper. Serve with some lemon wedges and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.

Friday, 18 November 2011

Goat Cheese & Walnut Truffles

Goat Cheese & Walnut Truffles


A great, elegant appetiser.. Quick to make and perfect for a pre-dinner drink , it will impress your guests. You can coat the truffles with all sort of spices or nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachio, paprika... to name just a few). 

In this recipe I have used sesame and poppy seeds, as I like the contrast of the colors.


Ingredients
  • Goat Cheese, 150g
  • Chopped walnuts, 80g
  • Salt and pepper

For the coating
  • Sesame and poppy seeds, or,
  • Chopped Walnuts
  • Chopped hazelnuts
  • Chopped pistachios
  • or anything you like!

Prepare the coating and set aside.
In a bowl whisk together the goat cheese, the walnuts, salt and pepper. Chill the mixture for about an hour. Take a small spoonful of the goat cheese mixture and shape it into truffles.
Roll the cheese balls in sesame and poppy seeds (or in the coating of your choice) and place on a serving plate.
Easy!
If you think the goat cheese is too strong, you can mix it with some plain soft cheese.