Arancini, also known as Sicilian rice balls, are a delightful Italian dish that combines the flavors of creamy risotto, savory fillings, and a crispy outer shell. These delectable treats are made with cooked rice, typically Arborio or Carnaroli, mixed with various ingredients such as cheese, meat, or vegetables. The rice is then shaped into balls, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until golden brown. Arancini are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even a street food snack. This article presents a collection of the best arancini recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile and cooking technique. From classic arancini filled with ragu and mozzarella to creative variations featuring seafood, vegetables, and even sweet fillings, these recipes offer a diverse selection for every taste. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, you'll find the perfect arancini recipe to satisfy your cravings. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey and explore the delicious world of arancini!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
ARANCINI
Steps:
- Bring the broth and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the rice, reduce the heat to low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let cool completely.
- Combine the pine nuts, mozzarella, fontina and parsley in a bowl; set aside.
- Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then stir in the cooled rice, the parmesan and 2/3 cup breadcrumbs. Shape the mixture into sixteen 1 1/2-inch balls.
- Put the remaining breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. Press your finger into the center of each rice ball, insert 2 teaspoons of the mozzarella mixture, then pinch the rice around the filling to enclose. Roll the balls in the breadcrumbs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Loosely cover and refrigerate, at least 1 hour or overnight. (If refrigerating overnight, roll in more breadcrumbs before frying.)
- Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the rice balls, turning, until golden brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; season with salt.
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 DI RISO
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 30m
Yield about 20 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Pour enough oil in a heavy large saucepan to reach the depth of 3 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F.
- Stir the eggs, risotto, Parmesan, and 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs in a large bowl to combine. Place the remaining breadcrumbs in a medium bowl. Using about 2 tablespoons of the risotto mixture for each, form the risotto mixture into 1 3/4-inch-diameter balls. Insert 1 cube of mozzarella into the center of each ball. Roll the balls in the bread crumbs to coat.
- Working in batches, add the rice balls to the hot ail and cook until brown and heated through, turning them as necessary, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the rice balls to paper towels to drain. Season with salt. Let rest 2 minutes. Serve hot.
- Bring the broth to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan. Add the porcini mushrooms. Set aside until the mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes. Keep the broth warm over very low heat.
- Melt the butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the white mushrooms and garlic. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the porcini mushrooms to a cutting board. Finely chop the mushrooms and add to the saucepan. Saute until the mushrooms are tender and the juices evaporate, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and let it toast for a few minutes. Add the wine; cook until the liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of hot broth; simmer over medium-low heat until the liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook until the rice is just tender and the mixture is creamy, adding more broth by cupfuls and stirring often, about 28 minutes (the rice will absorb 6 to 8 cups of broth). Stir in the peas. Mix in the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
DEFALCO'S ITALIAN ARANCINI (RICE BALLS)
Provided by Guy Fieri
Categories appetizer
Time 1h10m
Yield about 11 Arancini
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook the rice according to the package directions. I prefer to use a chicken stock to cook the rice, as it adds more flavor. Once cooked, cool slightly. Stir in the Parmesan, butter and egg yolk. Cover and refrigerate until cooled.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onions over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Stir in the peas, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Let cool, then add the Fontina and mix together.
- Shape the rice mixture into 11 patties. Place one heaping tablespoonful of meat filling in the center of each patty. Shape rice around filling, forming a ball.
- Place the oil in a large pot, making sure not to fill pot more than halfway, to prevent spillage. Heat to about 375 degrees F.
- Place the bread crumbs and egg whites in separate shallow bowls. Dip the rice balls in egg whites, then roll them in bread crumbs. Heat the oil on the stove to about 375 degrees. Be sure not to fill pot more than half way with oil, to prevent spillage. Fry the rice balls, a few at a time, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot plain, or with your favorite tomato sauce. Garnish with parsley.
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: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your arancini. Choose the best quality arborio rice you can find, and use fresh herbs and vegetables.
- Cook the rice properly: Arborio rice should be cooked al dente, with a slightly chewy center. To achieve this, cook the rice in a mixture of water and chicken broth, and stir frequently. Once the rice is cooked, let it cool completely before shaping the arancini.
- Use a variety of fillings: Arancini can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Some popular fillings include mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, spinach, and mushrooms. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite combination.
- Shape the arancini carefully: Once the rice is cool, shape it into balls about the size of a golf ball. Be careful not to pack the rice too tightly, or the arancini will be dense and heavy. Roll the arancini in breadcrumbs before frying to help them hold their shape.
- Fry the arancini until golden brown: Arancini should be fried until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Be careful not to overcook them, or they will be dry and crumbly. 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 customized to your liking. With a little planning and effort, you can make arancini that are sure to impress your friends and family. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give arancini a try. You won't be disappointed.
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