I
got the idea for the Chicken Polpette on Orzo off Food TV but now can't
remember which programme. It was the
first time I have done any sort of meatball by cooking it in stock rather than
frying/roasting them. Not only was the
result healthier, it had a lovely delicate flavour. The Orzo, which is rice like pasta, also
worked out very nicely. A keeper.
The
meatball mix was a fairly simple one:
Chicken
mince
An
egg
Breadcrumbs
Chopped
fresh tarragon
Handful
of shredded parmesan cheese
A
pinch of lemon zest
Salt
and pepper
Form
these into small to medium sized balls – I use a small measuring cup to get a
more or less equal amount of mix in each ball.
Heat
up some chicken stock and pop the meatballs in and then cover with a paper
cartouche ( just a round piece of baking paper or luncheon paper). The meatballs won't take too long to cook if
you haven't made them too big – you just simmer them gently in the stok.
When
the meatballs are cooked take them out of the stock and keep them warm. You will be using the stock for the orzo so
don't throw it out.
So
heat some butter in a pan, fry off about ½ a finely chopped onion and ½ a clove
of garlic (finely chopped or crushed).
Add the orzo and coat it in the butter and fry it off for a couple of
minutes. Then just add in the chicken
stock gradually until the orzo is cooked. (This is almost a risotto like
approach)
When
cooked add back the meatballs and take the pan off the heat. Relying on residual heat only then add some
fresh chopped herbs (I did tarragon and chives), a handful of parmesan and a
knob of butter. Taste the orzo and add
salt to your liking.
This looks lovely! I have only ever fried or baked meatballs too, will have to give this a try! :)
ReplyDeleteorzo is my favorite pasta and this looks really good, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI always use orzo with lamb, but this seemed even better!
Yum - that looks both easy and delicious. Going to make this one soon!
ReplyDeletewhat a delicious looking dish! I love the chicken meatballs and the way you cook orzo. I usually cook it like pasta in a big bowl of water. I love that you cooked it more like rice. I need to try this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe are big orzo lovers. My son never called it orzo when he was young. He always called it "pasta shaped like rice." Cracked me up b/c it's so much easier to just say orzo! I will have to make this for him...not only is there orzo, but the meatballs are chicken. He's also into non-trad meatballs.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking, Carole. I appreciate that you come by each week. I know sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the linky parties out there!