Teresa's Recipes
Arancini - Sicilian Cheese-Stuffed Rice Balls
Originating from Sicily, Arancini are a staple of Italian cuisine. These delightful, golden-brown orbs of risotto are generously filled with gooey, melted mozzarella cheese. Coated in crispy breadcrumbs and deep-fried to perfection, each bite of these savory morsels transports you to a bustling Italian street festival. Traditionally enjoyed as a snack or appetizer, these indulgent rice balls are sure to impress and tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon, or to taste Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste Black Pepper
- 2 cups, for frying Vegetable oil
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs
- 2, beaten Eggs
- 1 cup, diced Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup Arborio rice
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Appetizer
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 70g
- Protein: 20g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Sugar: 2g
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, stir in the Arborio rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer. Cook the rice for 15-20 minutes, or until it's tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice cool for a few minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Take a small portion of the rice mixture in your hand and flatten it out. Place a piece of diced mozzarella in the center, then mold the rice around the cheese, forming a ball. Repeat this process with the remaining rice and mozzarella.
- Dip each rice ball into the beaten eggs, ensuring it's fully coated. Then, roll it in the breadcrumbs.
- In a deep frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the rice balls in the pan. Fry them until they're golden brown and crispy, which should take about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the Arancini from the oil, and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve the Arancini hot as a delightful snack or appetizer. Enjoy!
Tips
- If you want to add a bit more flavor, you can mix some finely chopped fresh herbs, like parsley or basil, into the rice mixture.
- For a vegetarian option, simply use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- For a crunchier crust, you can use Panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.