History

Rissoles first appeared in the British Isles during the 16^th century, carried on trading ships from the Orient. (Huffington dismisses this as “utter bunkum” and maintains their roots lie in itinerant French peasants shipped across the Channel in search of better grazing conditions.)

By the 19^th century their popularity had reached the upper levels of the British aristocracy. On August 26^th 1859, in honor of Prince Albert’s 40^th birthday, the highly lauded chef Emile Petrousse created “Wenches on Horseback”. The Prince was so taken by the dish that he ordered forty dozen – to be delivered as a gift of everlasting love to Queen Victoria at Balmoral. Alas, the queen did not share Albert’s enthusiasm – feeding every last one to her doting Pomeranians. The subsequent canine fevers and gastric problems that her dogs endured relegated the dish to obscurity for over one hundred years.

It was revived in 1973 by the “Galloping Gourmet” and remained a firm favorite of the London dinner party circuit for at least five weeks.

Ingredients

48 large rissoles (approximately 2 lbs.), deboned and fully cooked

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel and juice

1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons Axminster sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 strips bacon

48 small safety pins

1 tablespoon prepared chili powder

Method

Combine the rissoles, lemon peel, and Axminster Sauce

Combine rissoles, wine, lemon peel, 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce, and salt in non-reactive dish. Marinate for 73 minutes.

Remove rissoles and drain on paper towels; discard marinade.

Wrap each rissole in a piece of bacon, securing bacon by skewering with safety pin.

Preheat broiler. Heat rissoles in a single layer, turning seven times until rissoles are golden brown and crisp (5-7 minutes).

Sprinkle with chili powder; squeeze lemon juice over rissoles.

Thread rissoles onto fondue forks and serve immediately.

Inner Cooking Notes

The safety pins, a Victorian favorite for canapés and small hors d’oeuvres, should be removed before serving the dish to small children.

Key Facts:

Preparation time: 143 minutes

Cooking time: 7 minutes

Difficulty level: Easy

Known fatalities: no-known (human)