How to make an Italian Carnival Sweet: “CRISPELLE”

The feature of these crispy finger size pancakes, covered with orange blossom honey, is in the easiness of the preparation and because they are well liked by everybody, they will disappear in no time.

SERVING:

Makes about 50 Crispelle

INGREDIENTS: 

For the Rice

• 1 qt. milk
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 Lb of Arborio or Caroline rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 oz. yeast or 1 envelopes of dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• zest of one orange
• pinch of cinnamon
• 2 drops of vanilla

For the Frying

• 2 lb. of sifted fine Italian breadcrumbs placed in a wide container with
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup of milk
• deep fryer, preferable filled with peanut oil at 375 degrees or
• a large sauté pan with at least 2 inch of peanut oil, canola oil or
• your preferred oil for frying

For the Honey Coating

• 10 oz. jar of Orange Blossom Honey
• juice of 4 oranges
• juice of 1 lemon
• zest of 2 oranges
• zest of 1 lemon

PREPARATION

The Rice

1. In a 6 qt. sauce pot combine milk, water, salt and rice, bring to a boil, then simmer at a very low heat.Stirring occasionally cook rice until all liquid is absorbed, should result a well cooked rice.
2. In half a cup of warm water dilute yeast and sugar, when it is well blended add to the still hot cooked rice together with the zest of 1 orange, cinnamon and vanilla.
3. Set aside until it cools off and the yeast can react with the starch in the rice, about 1 hour.

The Crispelle

1. Briefly work and compact cooled rice into a mass, wet hands with oil and shape some rice into a small ball; by applying a little pressure roll rice ball to form a cylinder the size of a finger.
2. To make the croquettes uniform in size, use a 3 ounces ice cream scoop, split each scoop in half, then proceed making the “Crispeddi di Risu”.
3. Place the croquettes in an oiled pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate a few hours.

The Honey

1. Combine the honey with orange and lemon juice, blend well and add the zest of orange and lemon.
2. If the honey is too thick, place the jar in a pan with warm water for a few minute.

The Frying

1. Place milk and eggs in a wide bowl and beat until smooth.
2. Place the croquettes, a few at a time, into the egg mixture.
3. Taking one croquette at a time, remove from egg mixture and place it in the container with the breadcrumbs.
4. Gently squeeze the breadcrumbs into croquette to cover all sides, and place in a pan or dish. Once they are all breaded proceed to frying.
5. Heat oil at 375 degrees or until it is hot, before it reaches the smoking point.
6. Carefully lower the Crispeddi into the oil, a few at a time, turning them to fry on all sides, until light golden brown.
7. Using a slotted spoon, remove from oil and dry on paper towels.

The Serving

1. Dip each croquette in the honey mixture and place in a serving dish to form a stack.
2. Pour any leftover honey over it and serve hot or cold.

Buon Mangiata!