No. 139. Cappone Con Riso (capon With Rice) Recipe

The Cook's Decameron: A Study In Taste For Italian Dishes

Cappone Con Riso (Capon With Rice) Recipe

Introduction:
Cappone Con Riso, or Capon With Rice, is a classic Italian dish that combines tender capon with a flavorful rice stuffing and a rich sauce. This recipe dates back many years and has become a popular choice for special occasions and festive meals. The dish features a succulent capon that is stuffed with a delicious veal forcemeat, along with truffles and other aromatic ingredients. It is then cooked to perfection with the help of bacon and white stock, resulting in a juicy and flavorful main course. The capon is served alongside rice timbales, cooked mushrooms, and a sauce supreme to create a truly indulgent and satisfying dish.

Fun Facts:
- Capons are castrated roosters that are traditionally raised for their tender and flavorful meat. The process of castration makes their meat more tender and delicious, making them a sought-after ingredient for special meals.
- The use of veal forcemeat adds richness and depth of flavor to the stuffing, while the truffles provide a delightful earthy taste and aroma.
- The cooking technique of wrapping the capon in buttered paper helps to preserve the moisture and tenderness of the meat, resulting in a succulent final dish.

Recipe:

Ingredients:
- 1 capon
- 1 cup veal forcemeat
- 4 slices of fat bacon
- 2 cups white stock
- 4 ounces rice
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons chopped truffles
- 8 cooked mushrooms
- 4 cocks' combs, kidneys, or fowls' livers
- Sauce supreme (No. 16)
- 1/2 cup Chablis
- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare the veal forcemeat by combining minced veal, tongue, ham, and chopped truffles. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Stuff the capon with the veal forcemeat, ensuring it is well distributed throughout the bird.

4. Wrap the capon with the slices of fat bacon, securing it with kitchen twine.

5. Butter a sheet of parchment paper and tightly wrap the capon in it.

6. Place the wrapped capon in a baking dish and pour the white stock around it.

7. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and cook for about 2 hours, or until the capon is cooked through and tender. Baste the capon with the cooking liquid occasionally to keep it moist.

8. While the capon is cooking, prepare the rice timbales. Boil the rice in milk until it is cooked and stiff. Mix in the chopped truffles. Grease individual timbale molds and fill them with the rice mixture. Set aside.

9. In a separate saucepan, heat the Chablis and simmer the whole truffles until they are cooked through and infused with the wine flavor. Set aside.

10. Once the capon is cooked, remove it from the oven and carefully unwrap it from the buttered paper. Transfer it to a serving dish.

11. Arrange the cooked mushrooms, cocks' combs, kidneys, or fowls' livers around the capon as garnish.

12. Drizzle the sauce supreme over the capon, ensuring it coats the meat evenly.

13. Arrange the rice timbales around the capon, placing a whole truffle cooked in white wine between each timbale.

14. Serve the dish hot, with additional sauce supreme on the side in a sauce bowl.

Similar Recipe Dishes:
Cappone Con Riso shares similarities with other delicious dishes that feature poultry and rice as the main ingredients. Some notable examples include:

1. Arroz con Pollo: This popular Spanish dish combines chicken, rice, and a variety of spices and vegetables. It is a one-pot meal that is cooked together to infuse the flavors and create a hearty and flavorful dish.

2. Chicken Biryani: A traditional Indian and Pakistani dish, chicken biryani features marinated chicken pieces and aromatic basmati rice, cooked together with an array of spices and herbs. The dish is known for its vibrant flavors and fragrant aroma.

3. Hainanese Chicken Rice: This iconic Singaporean dish features poached chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth and pandan leaves. The dish is typically served with a variety of sauces, such as chili sauce and ginger sauce, which add a tangy and flavorful element to the meal.

Conclusion:
Cappone Con Riso is a timeless Italian dish that combines the richness of capon, the flavors of veal forcemeat, and the aromatic notes of truffles. The dish is a delight for the senses and is perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress your guests. Paired with rice timbales, cooked mushrooms, and a sauce supreme, this dish offers a symphony of flavors and textures. So, give this recipe a try and savor the delectable flavors of Cappone Con Riso.