Arancini, also known as Sicilian rice balls, are a classic Italian dish that is enjoyed by people of all ages. These delicious fried rice balls are made with leftover risotto, and they can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, meat, or vegetables. Arancini are a popular street food in Italy, and they can also be found in many Italian restaurants.
In this article, we will provide you with three different recipes for arancini. The first recipe is for a traditional arancini filled with mozzarella cheese and peas. The second recipe is for a more creative arancini filled with roasted eggplant and goat cheese. The third recipe is for a vegan arancini filled with mushrooms and spinach.
No matter which recipe you choose, you are sure to enjoy these delicious and versatile rice balls. Arancini are a great way to use up leftover risotto, and they can also be made ahead of time and reheated when you are ready to serve them. So what are you waiting for? Give one of these arancini recipes a try today!
ARANCINI III
Risotto balls are stuffed with cheese, breaded and fried. The ooey gooey centers filled with delicious fontina cheese and fresh thyme add classic flavor to this Italian dish. A favorite of my family.
Provided by AMYJOHNSON1
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Cheese
Time 2h15m
Yield 9
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place the wine and saffron in a cup or small bowl. Stir briefly, then let it sit. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion; cook and stir until transparent, about 3 minutes. Mix in the rice, and continue cooking and stirring until the rice has absorbed most of the butter.
- Slowly stir the white wine and saffron into the rice, stirring continuously until the wine is absorbed and rice is creamy. Season with thyme, then pour in 1 cup of chicken broth at a time, cooking and stirring constantly until each cup of broth is absorbed before adding the next. Stop adding broth when the rice is tender. If you run out of broth, you may use water. Remove from the heat, stir in the Parmesan cheese and allow to cool until you can touch it without burning your hands.
- Lightly grease a large cookie sheet with olive oil. Pour the risotto out onto the sheet and spread evenly. Place in the refrigerator for about 1 hour or until chilled.
- When the rice is cool, roll small portions into balls about the size of golf balls. Tuck a cube of fontina cheese into the center of each one. Roll each ball in bread crumbs to coat.
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy saucepan or deep fryer to 375 degrees F 190 degrees C). The oil should be about 3 inches deep. When the oil is hot, fry the arancini until they reach a golden orangish brown, about 3 minutes. Arancini literally means 'little oranges'. Cool for 5 minutes, then serve with any marinara sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 761.3 calories, Carbohydrate 85.2 g, Cholesterol 73.1 mg, Fat 32.4 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 25.1 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 735.2 mg, Sugar 4.1 g
ARANCINI
An Italian rice ball made with white wine risotto, and a gooey mozzarella center. Fantastic for lunch or dinner - can be frozen.
Provided by DEBMCD
Categories Side Dish Rice Side Dish Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring until onion is soft but not browned. Pour in the rice, and cook stirring for 2 minutes, then stir in the wine, and continue cooking and stirring until the liquid has evaporated. Add hot chicken stock to the rice 1/3 cup at a time, stirring and cooking until the liquid has evaporated before adding more.
- When the chicken stock has all been added, and the liquid has evaporated, stir in the peas and ham. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat, and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Transfer the risotto to a bowl, and allow to cool slightly.
- Stir the beaten egg into the risotto. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg and milk with a fork. For each ball, roll 2 tablespoons of the risotto into a ball. Press a piece of the mozzarella cheese into the center, and roll to enclose. Coat lightly with flour, dip into the milk mixture, then roll in bread crumbs to coat.
- Heat oil for frying in a deep-fryer or large deep saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Fry the balls in small batches until evenly golden, turning as needed. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in a low oven while the rest are frying.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 252.2 calories, Carbohydrate 18.8 g, Cholesterol 29.1 mg, Fat 16.4 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 274 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
ARANCINI
There's no way around it: To make arancini, you have to make risotto, although you could also use any kind of leftover risotto, as long as the mixture isn't loose from excess liquid. This recipe employs a simple base of Parmesan risotto that is chilled, rolled, breaded and fried, but the classic version starts with saffron risotto, which explains the Italian name arancine, or little oranges, named for their shape and hue. Simmering risotto and frying the arancini are simple tasks, but the step in between is crucial: Do not skimp on chilling your risotto. If it is not properly chilled, it will fall apart in the hot oil instead of forming crisp, glistening, orbs filled with molten cheese. Serve these arancini with warmed tomato sauce or even pesto, and crown them with a flurry of gremolata or plain lemon zest for brightness.
Provided by Alexa Weibel
Categories dinner, finger foods, grains and rice, appetizer, side dish
Time 1h15m
Yield About 2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Prepare the risotto: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium. Add onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in rice until coated, about 1 minute, then add wine. Cook, stirring frequently, until absorbed, about 1 minute.
- Stir in 1/2 cup stock. Cook, stirring frequently, until stock is almost absorbed, about 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining stock, adding 1/2 cup at a time and stirring until absorbed before adding the next cup, about 15 minutes.
- Once all the stock has been absorbed - the rice should be tender but still slightly toothsome and the risotto creamy - stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread out in an even layer and let cool, at least 20 minutes. Cover tightly in plastic wrap (or transfer to a lidded container) and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour or up to 2 or 3 days.
- Once the risotto is chilled, slice it into about 24 even portions. Working with one at a time, gently roll each into a ball, then press between your palms to flatten slightly. Press one cube of mozzarella into the center and shape the risotto up and over it, sealing the cheese in the center. Roll the ball in your palms until round. Repeat with remaining risotto balls. (If you're not planning to fry them right away, arrange them on a small baking sheet in a single layer, cover and refrigerate until cooking, up to 2 or 3 days in advance. If the risotto mixture isn't cold, it can fall apart in the hot oil.)
- In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium. (If you have a candy thermometer, now is a good time to use it: Heat the oil to about 350 degrees.)
- Prepare the breading: Add the flour to a shallow bowl, then add the eggs to another shallow bowl and beat the eggs to combine. In a third bowl, combine the panko and Italian seasoning, if using, with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine.
- Working with one arancini, roll it first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then in the egg, then in the panko, taking care to coat it on all sides with each roll. Transfer to a clean baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining arancini.
- Fry the arancini in batches, leaving at least one inch between each ball, until golden and crisp on the outside, about 5 minutes. (By the time the crust crisps, the cheese filling will melt.) Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining arancini. (If the crust is cooking to quickly, you can turn off the heat momentarily and continue to cook in the oil, which will maintain residual heat. Turn the stove back on if needed.)
- Spoon warmed tomato sauce onto small plates or into bowls and top with warm arancini, or set sauce in a bowl for dipping and arrange arancini on a serving platter. Sprinkle arancini with finely grated Parmesan and more parsley, if desired.
ARANCINI
Steps:
- Heat 3/4 cup olive oil in a deep roasting pan on high heat. Add the rice to the oil, stirring constantly, until the rice is golden brown. Add a few ounces of the chicken stock and the turmeric, consistently stirring.
- Add the chicken stock, 1 ounce at a time, stirring, until the stock has been completely incorporated. Add the butter and Parmesan and cook on medium-low heat until the rice is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the rice from the roasting pan and spread evenly on a sheet pan to cool for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a sauté pan on medium.
- Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the ground beef and ground pork and cook until browned and cooked through. Add the marinara and peas, then stir and remove from heat after 30 seconds. Allow the meat mixture to cool.
- In a medium bowl, place the flour and 1 cup water. Mix and set aside. Pour the panko breadcrumbs in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a large pot or deep fryer heat the remaining 3 cups olive oil on medium-high heat.
- Using a medium ice cream scoop, take a scoop of rice, place in the palm of your hand and form a small rice patty.
- Place a tablespoon of the meat mixture along with one cube of mozzarella in the middle of the patty. Close your hand and begin forming an egg-shaped ball with the meat and mozzarella completely covered. Place the arancini in the flour-water mixture. Place the arancini in the panko breadcrumbs.
- Gently place two to three arancini at a time in large pot of oil or a deep-fryer and cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients, especially for the rice. Arborio or Carnaroli rice are good choices.
- Make sure the rice is cooked al dente before adding the other ingredients.
- Don't overmix the rice mixture, or the arancini will be too dense.
- Chill the rice mixture for at least 30 minutes before forming the arancini. This will help them hold their shape better.
- Use a variety of fillings for your arancini, such as cheese, meat, vegetables, or seafood.
- Be careful not to overcook the arancini, or they will become dry and tough.
- Serve the arancini hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Conclusion:
Arancini are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a little creativity, you can create endless variations of arancini that will impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a fun and delicious dish to make, give arancini a try!
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