Lettuce parcels

A recipe from France: The Cookbook

Preparation: 30 minutes

Cooking: 45 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 large-leafed lettuce, leaves separated

150g (5oz) (scant 1 cup) cooked long-grain rice

200g (7oz) leftover veal or chicken, finely chopped

1 egg, lightly beaten Salt and pepper

100 ml (3½fl oz) (generous ¾ cup) crème fraîche

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.

Bring a large pan of water to the boil and blanch the lettuce leaves for 30 seconds – 1 minute, so that they can be easily rolled up. Drain well.

Mix together the rice, meat and egg. Season with salt and pepper.

Roll the meat mixture into small balls and wrap each one in a lettuce leaf.

Fit the parcels snugly in an ovenproof dish, whisk the crème fraîche with 100 ml (3½fl oz) water, pour it over the parcels and bake for 45 minutes.