**Calas: A Taste of History and Culture in Every Bite**
Calas, also known as fried rice balls, are a traditional dish with a rich history and cultural significance. Originating from the African diaspora, calas have become a beloved culinary treasure in many parts of the world. These delectable treats are made from a simple dough of rice, water, salt, and sugar, which is then deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a crispy exterior that yields to a soft, fluffy interior, often served with savory or sweet accompaniments.
This article presents a collection of calas recipes that span different culinary traditions and flavors. From the classic Creole calas, known for their fluffy texture and rich history, to the spicy and flavorful Jamaican calas, there's a recipe here to suit every palate. We'll also explore variations like the Trinidadian calas, which incorporate coconut milk for a unique Caribbean twist, and the savory Haitian calas, often served with a spicy sauce.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner looking to try something new, these calas recipes offer a delightful journey into the world of this versatile dish. So gather your ingredients, heat up your oil, and prepare to indulge in the crispy, flavorful goodness of calas, a culinary delight that transcends time and culture.
CALAS FRIED RICE FRITTERS
Provided by David Guas
Categories Egg Dessert Kid-Friendly Mardi Gras Vanilla Deep-Fry Party Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher Small Plates
Yield Makes 3 to 3 1/2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the rice, stir once, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan, cooking 18 to 20 minutes or until the grains of rice are plump and fluff apart with a fork. Turn the rice out onto a parchment paper--lined baking sheet and cool for 15 minutes, then transfer to a plastic container (don't pack it in). Cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in the top. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 2 days.
- Pour enough peanut oil into a large pot to fill it to a 2 1/2- to 3-inch depth and bring to a temperature between 350°F and 360°F over medium heat. Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
- While the oil heats up, place the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla on high speed until foamy and tripled in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Sift in half of the dry ingredients, add the salt, and mix on low speed until only a few dry streaks remain. Sift in the remaining dry ingredients and mix on low speed for a few turns, then add the rice and mix until the fritter batter just comes together into a loose, roughly textured ball.
- Once your oil is hot, dip a teaspoon in the hot oil, then into the batter and scoop out a heaping teaspoonful. Hold the spoon close to the oil and let the batter roll off and into the oil. Repeat with the remaining batter; using a slotted spoon, turn and baste the fritters occasionally, allowing them to become golden brown on all sides. (Fry the fritters in two batches if your pot becomes overcrowded.) If the temperature of the oil dips below 350°F, increase the heat to medium-high. Once the fritters are golden brown, transfer them to the prepared plate to cool slightly. Serve on a small plate drizzled with lots of cane syrup.
CALAS
Calas (pronounced ka-LA) are round balls of a batter made from flour, sugar, eggs, yeast and leftover rice; the balls are fried until they're piping hot, creating a crisp, browned crust. The rice in the batter breaks down, giving the cooked calas an alluringly spongy, creamy texture, and the yeast makes them seem to be perfumed with rum.
Provided by Lolis Eric Elie
Categories dessert
Time 30m
Yield makes 15 to 20
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Dissolve the yeast in 1 cup warm water and set aside. In a medium bowl, use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to combine the rice and eggs. Add 1 cup of the flour, the brown sugar, salt and nutmeg; mix well. Mix in up to 1 cup additional flour to make a batter that is thick but liquid enough to be dropped easily from a spoon. Add the yeast mixture and mix thoroughly. Cover with a clean dish towel and let stand overnight at room temperature.
- Place the oil in a 3-quart casserole or Dutch oven. Heat to 350 degrees. Drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the oil and fry until nicely browned. Drain on a double thickness of paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve while hot.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 574, UnsaturatedFat 38 grams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fat 49 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 4 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 78 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CALAS (CREOLE RICE BEIGNETS)
A great use for leftover rice, these beignets feature raisins and cinnamon and are great for a Sunday brunch.
Provided by Gabrielle in DC
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes
Time 1h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine water and sugar in a small bowl. Add yeast and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add rice and stir well. Cover with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature, about 10 minutes.
- Lightly mash the rice mixture, leaving some grains intact. Stir in eggs, raisins, salt, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix in flour and cashews until well incorporated. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Heat enough oil in a large saucepan to cover the beignets. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil; cook until browned, turning once, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Promptly sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 218.2 calories, Carbohydrate 30.4 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 9.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 311.1 mg, Sugar 12.7 g
CALAS (FRIED RICE BALLS)
In days gone bye, horse-drawn carts in the streets of New Orleans sold these wonderful, aromatic rice cakes. They have never been widely available in restaurants. They make a great breakfast or snack. These sweets were very popular.
Provided by Miss Annie
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla.
- Thoroughly mix the rice and eggs together in a separate bowl.
- Add the dry ingredients to the rice and egg mixture.
- When thoroughly mixed, drop by spoonfuls into the hot deep fat (about 360 degrees F) and fry until brown.
- Drain on paper towel.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve while hot.
- Other variations are to serve with honey.
EVERYTHING BAGEL FRIED RICE BALLS
Fried rice balls, known by Italians as arancini, are heavenly balls of cheesy rice that are crispy on the outside and tender in the center. Typically they are made with arborio rice, the same you would reach for when making risotto, because the starchiness helps the balls hold together. This recipe uses leftover rice instead, which cuts down the preparation time. It also puts a new spin on this dish with a crowd favorite - everything bagel seasoning - and a center of ooey, gooey cream cheese!
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories appetizer
Time 25m
Yield 12 rice balls
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot) fitted with a deep-fry thermometer over medium heat, until the thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set a wire rack inside.
- Mix the rice, mozzarella, everything bagel seasoning and 2 tablespoons scallions in a large bowl.
- Scoop out 2 tablespoon portions of the rice mixture to make 12 rice balls (if using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, pack the scoop against the side of the bowl).
- Moisten your hands with water to prevent the rice mixture from sticking to your palms. Working with 1 rice ball at a time, flatten into a thick patty, then place 1 piece of cream cheese in the center. Wrap the patty around the cream cheese, roll between your palms to form a tight ball and place on a plate. Repeat with the remaining rice balls and cream cheese.
- Whisk the flour, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a shallow bowl. Whisk the eggs with 1 teaspoon of water in another shallow bowl. Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
- Dredge a rice ball in the seasoned flour and tap off any excess. Use a fork to dip in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Roll in the breadcrumbs until evenly coated, then place on a plate. Repeat with the remaining rice balls.
- Gently lower 6 rice balls into the hot oil and fry, turning as needed, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes total. Remove with a spider and drain on the prepared baking sheet; season with salt. Bring the oil temperature back to 375 degrees F and repeat with the remaining 6 rice balls. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons scallions and serve immediately.
DEEP-FRIED CALIFORNIA ROLL RICE BALLS
We are a family that absolutely loves sushi, but don't always have all the ingredients at home to make it! Invention became the mother of necessity. So here is my reinvented version of the California roll!
Provided by Phat-N-Sassy78
Categories Sushi
Time 1h20m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Prepare filling: Toss crabmeat and avocado together in a bowl and place in the refrigerator to chill until needed.
- Bring water to a boil on the stovetop. Add rice, stir, cover, and remove from heat. Set aside until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- When the rice is set up and still hot, blend in cream cheese, soy sauce, garlic salt, and pepper until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and no chunks remain.
- Scoop out a golf ball-sized handful of the rice mixture and flatten it into a patty. Add about a heaping teaspoon of the avocado-crab filling into the center. Cup your hand and close the rice around the filling. Roll between your hands if needed to seal and get a good round shape; patch any holes with more rice if needed. Roll in bread crumbs until well coated. Repeat to make remaining balls.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Add 1 to 2 balls to the hot oil at a time. If not fully submerged, let each side of the ball fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds per side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Continue to fry remaining rice balls.
- Combine mayonnaise and Sriracha for dipping sauce. Serve with rice balls.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 771.3 calories, Carbohydrate 93.4 g, Cholesterol 63.6 mg, Fat 35.7 g, Fiber 5.9 g, Protein 19.9 g, SaturatedFat 12.4 g, Sodium 2201.8 mg, Sugar 5.7 g
CALAS (DEEP FRIED RICE BALLS)
This is posted in response to a request. The request wanted the Hershey kisses although the original recipe didn't call for them. This is a variation of a New Orleanean dish.
Provided by Mysterygirl
Categories Candy
Time 45m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook 2/3 cup plain white rice until tender, spread on tray to cool.
- Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
- Sift In a deep bowl.
- Beat the eggs and sugar for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the rice and stir.
- Add the flour mixture ½ cup at a time and stir well between additions.
- Divide dough into 6 portions and shape into balls about 2 ½ inches in diameter, (if you want to use the hershey kisses, insert them at this point into the center of the rice ball making sure that they are completely covered.) Moisten hands with water to keep it from sticking.
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Deep fry rice balls, two or three at a time turning often for about 8 minutes until golden brown and crusty.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar or sugar and cinnamon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 234.6, Fat 2.2, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 70.5, Sodium 213.2, Carbohydrate 45.8, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 4.5, Protein 6.8
DEEP-FRIED RICE BALLS
My mother moved in with us about eight years ago and started making this side dish. Now that she is her ninety's, I've taken over the duty of making these unique rice balls. Everyone in our family is thrilled to see them when they are placed on the table.-Elizabeth Blake, Chesapeake, Virginia
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 40m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, bring the water, rice, butter, salt and pepper to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, parsley and rice. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Shape 1/2 cupfuls of rice mixture into balls; roll in bread crumbs., In a deep-fat fryer or electric skillet, heat oil to 375°. Fry rice balls, a few at a time until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 343 calories, Fat 20g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 77mg cholesterol, Sodium 461mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
Tips:
- Use cold rice. Freshly cooked rice is too soft and sticky to make good calas. Cold rice, on the other hand, is easier to handle and will hold its shape better when frying.
- Season the rice well. Calas should be flavorful, so don't be afraid to season the rice liberally with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices.
- Use a variety of fillings. Calas can be filled with just about anything, from savory meats and vegetables to sweet fruits and nuts. Get creative and experiment with different fillings to find your favorites.
- Fry the calas until they are golden brown. This will ensure that they are crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside.
- Serve the calas hot. Calas are best enjoyed hot out of the fryer. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or condiment.
Conclusion:
Calas are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So next time you have some leftover rice, don't throw it away. Use it to make calas instead!
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