The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement
Good Food logo

Maltese-style baked rice

Karen Martini
Karen Martini

Advertisement
Bake it up: Maltese-style rice.
Bake it up: Maltese-style rice.Bonnie Savage

This dish, based on the classic Maltese dish ross il-forn, is a versatile mix of gently spiced rice, mince, egg and tomato that can be made ahead of time. Serve at a family dinner, or bake in smaller dishes to make individual portions suitable for a dinner party.

Advertisement

Ingredients

  • 450g long-grain rice

  • 2 pinches saffron threads

  • 250g beef mince

  • 250g pork mince

  • salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

  • 60ml extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 large onion, finely chopped

  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 tbsp curry powder

  • 1 tbsp ground allspice

  • 400g chopped tomatoes (fresh or tinned)

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 beef stock cube (or 600ml chicken stock)

  • 3 large eggs, beaten

  • 120g grated pecorino or parmesan

Method

  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 170C fan-forced or 190C conventional. Boil the kettle and lightly oil a baking tray.

    2. Add the rice, saffron and 650 millilitres of boiling water to a medium saucepan. Bring back to the boil and immediately turn down the heat. Cook gently for six minutes until the water has been absorbed and the rice is almost tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

    3. Add the beef and pork mince to a medium bowl, season with salt and pepper and combine. Roll into balls the size of a five-cent coin and place on the prepared tray. Bake for 10 minutes.

    4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry until softened and translucent. Season with salt and pepper and quickly stir through the curry powder and allspice until fragrant. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste and 600 millilitres of water. Crumble in the stock cube, stir and simmer for 10 minutes.

    5. Combine the rice and sauce in a large bowl. Adjust the seasoning and stir in the eggs and meatballs until well combined. Tip into an ovenproof dish and sprinkle over the cheese. Cover with baking paper and foil and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 20 minutes until golden.

    TIPS:

    1. Add a handful of frozen peas to make this more of a complete meal.

    2. To simplify this dish even further, fry off the mince after cooking the onions, rather than rolling it into meatballs.

    3. Wilt some shredded kale in the pan and omit the mince for a vegetarian version.

    4. Serve with a leafy salad dressed with a simple lemony dressing.

    5. Drink with Nero d’Avola or Grenache.

The best recipes from Australia's leading chefs straight to your inbox.

Sign up
Karen MartiniKaren Martini is a Melbourne-based chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. She has a regular column in Good Weekend.

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement

Similar Recipes

More by Karen Martini