Arancini are a classic Italian street food, consisting of deep-fried rice balls filled with a variety of ingredients. This recipe uses spinach, mozzarella cheese, and a creamy béchamel sauce for a delicious and satisfying snack or main course. The recipe also includes instructions for making a simple tomato sauce and a refreshing arugula salad, which pair perfectly with the arancini.
These arancini are a snap to make and can be customized to your liking. You can use any type of rice you have on hand, and you can add other vegetables, herbs, or spices to the filling. You can also adjust the amount of cheese to suit your taste. Serve them as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They're also great for packed lunches or picnics.
SPINACH ARANCINI
Arborio rice balls with spinach and Parmigiano-Reggiano and a cube of mozzarella cheese inside are rolled in seasoned panko bread crumbs, then deep fried until golden brown for an impressive and delicious appetizer.
Provided by Progresso
Categories Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips Progresso®
Time 1h30m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. In 3-quart saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add garlic; cook and stir 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in rice and wine; cook 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed. Add 1 cup broth; cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broth is absorbed. Add remaining 1 cup broth; cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broth is absorbed.
- Season with pepper. Stir in spinach, butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Spread onto cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour 30 minutes or until firm. (Mixture can be refrigerated overnight.)
- On cookie sheet, shape rice mixture into 12x8-inch rectangle. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows to make 24 squares. Place 1 mozzarella cheese cube in center of each square; shape rice around cheese cubes to make balls.
- Place flour and bread crumbs in separate bowls. In another bowl, beat egg and water until blended. Coat each ball with flour, then dip into egg mixture and coat with bread crumbs. Place coated balls on unlined cookie sheet; refrigerate 30 minutes.
- Line platter or shallow pan with paper towels. In 4-quart Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. Fry 8 balls at a time 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown. With slotted spoon, remove balls from Dutch oven to towel-lined platter to drain. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 161.2 calories, Carbohydrate 16.7 g, Cholesterol 13.5 mg, Fat 7.9 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 4.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 311.7 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
SPINACH ARANCINI (RICE BALLS)
Make and share this Spinach Arancini (rice Balls) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by DeSouter
Categories Rice
Time 1h15m
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In large, deep saucepan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Add the onions and saute for about 1 minute. Add the garlic stir. After another 5 minutes, add the rice and white wine and a pinch of salt stir and allow to cook down for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add 2 (8-ounce) ladles of broth. Allow to absorb into rice for about 10 minutes, stirring, then add another 2 (8-ounce ladles) of broth and allow that to absorb for about 10 minutes.
- Season with freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Add spinach to broth and rice and stir in with sweet butter. Add 1 cup of the Parmigiano.
- When all ingredients are hot and mixed, pour and spread onto a parchment lined cookie sheet to cool. Once cool, cover with a layer of plastic wrap to avoid skin forming and refrigerate until completely cooled and firm. Refrigerate overnight if necessary.
- When completely cooled, cover rice and spinach with remaining 1/2 cup Parmigiano. With hands, roll into 1 1/2-inch balls. With fingers, make a small hole in the rice ball's center and insert 1 small cube of mozzarella, and cover with more rice.
- Place flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned bread crumbs in separate bowls. Coat each ball with flour, then with whisked egg, then with seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat with all rice balls and lay the coated balls on a cookie tray and refrigerate until ready to fry.
- In a heavy large pan, heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees F.
- Fry the balls, in batches, until golden brown. Remove each ball with a slotted spoon and place on parchment paper or paper towel lined cookie sheet to dry. Serve hot.
SPINACH ARANCINI
Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 5h30m
Yield 7 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In large, deep saucepan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Add the onions and saute for about 1 minute. Add the garlic stir. After another 5 minutes, add the rice and white wine and a pinch of salt stir and allow to cook down for about 5 to 10 minutes. Add 2 (8-ounce) ladles of broth. Allow to absorb into rice for about 10 minutes, stirring, then add another 2 (8-ounce ladles) of broth and allow that to absorb for about 10 minutes. Season with freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Add spinach to broth and rice and stir in with sweet butter. Add 1 cup of the Parmigiano. When all ingredients are hot and mixed, pour and spread onto a parchment lined cookie sheet to cool. Once cool, cover with a layer of plastic wrap to avoid skin forming and refrigerate until completely cooled and firm. Refrigerate overnight if necessary.
- When completely cooled, cover rice and spinach with remaining 1/2 cup Parmigiano. With hands, roll into 1 1/2-inch balls. With fingers, make a small hole in the rice ball's center and insert 1 small cube of mozzarella, and cover with more rice.
- Place flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned bread crumbs in separate bowls. Coat each ball with flour, then with whisked egg, then with seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat with all rice balls and lay the coated balls on a cookie tray and refrigerate until ready to fry.
- In a heavy large pan, heat vegetable oil to 350 degrees F.
- Fry the balls, in batches, until golden brown. Remove each ball with a slotted spoon and place on parchment paper or paper towel lined cookie sheet to dry. Serve hot.
SPINACH ARANCINI (RICE BALLS)
I used to live in Sicily, and these were a favorite of mine! 'Arancini' means 'Little Oranges' in Italian, named so because the little breaded rice balls resemble small oranges so much. While so many versions include only cheeses and meats, this version is a delightful combination of white cheese and spinach. We love it! This can be made the night or a couple of days ahead of time, and cooked at the last minute for a surprising treat for guests. I like to serve mine on a bed of fresh Radicchio. Some people enjoy dipping them into Marinara or sour cream based dips. Enjoy!
Provided by NM Dawn
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Cheese
Time 5h25m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Bring 4 cups chicken broth and saffron threads to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Stir in Arborio rice, return to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, yet still a little firm, about 16 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook for one minute, then stir in garlic, and continue cooking until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in wine, spinach, and butter, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and fold in cooked rice and Parmesan cheese; cook a few minutes until the mixture is a little stiff. Spread onto a baking sheet, and cool in the refrigerator until completely cold, 4 hours to overnight.
- Once the rice mixture has cooled, form the arancini by enclosing a cube of mozzarella cheese in about 3 tablespoons of the rice to form a 1 inch ball; set aside. When you have finished making the balls, place flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into separate, shallow bowls. One-by-one, gently roll the arancini in the flour to coat, then shake off excess. Dip into beaten egg, then roll in bread crumbs; set aside.
- Heat the oil in a deep-fryer or electric skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Deep fry the arancini 5 or 6 at a time in the hot oil until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Be sure to roll the arancini around with a metal spoon as they cook so they are evenly browned on all sides. Drain on paper towels, and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 611.7 calories, Carbohydrate 66.8 g, Cholesterol 71 mg, Fat 26.6 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.4 g, Sodium 1281 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
Tips and Conclusion
When preparing spinach arancini, it's crucial to use fresh, high-quality ingredients for optimal flavor and texture. Choose young, tender spinach leaves and ensure the arborio rice is of superior quality. Additionally, freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and flavorful Asiago cheese will elevate the dish's overall taste. When cooking the rice, be patient and stir continuously to achieve a creamy and evenly cooked consistency. Avoid overcooking the rice, as it should retain a slight bite. Once the arancini are formed, gently roll them in breadcrumbs to ensure an even coating. This will result in a crispy exterior and a soft and flavorful interior. When frying the arancini, maintain a consistent oil temperature to prevent burning or undercooking. Use a deep fryer or a large saucepan with plenty of oil to ensure the arancini are fully submerged. Drain the arancini on paper towels to remove excess oil before serving. To enhance the flavor, serve the arancini with a flavorful dipping sauce, such as marinara or a creamy Alfredo sauce. Experiment with different variations of arancini fillings, such as adding cooked mushrooms, diced ham, or roasted vegetables, to create unique and delicious combinations.
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