#Rice Balls #Arancine #Arancini #Howtomakericeballs.
To print the recipe:
Ingredients for the rice:-
2 lbs of Arborio rice (900 grams)
8 cups of water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
Few threads of saffron or saffron powder packet
1/2 stick butter (2 oz) (60 grams)
1/2 cup of Pecorino Romano
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Ingredients Ragù mixture
1 lb of chopped meat (beef)(450 grams) I used chuck
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup onions chopped
1/2 cup celery chopped
1/2 cup carrots chopped
1 1/2 cups passata di pomodoro
2 cups green peas
1/4 cup white wine
Salt to taste
Ingredients to assemble rice balls
3/4 lbs mozzarella cubed
3 cups bread crumbs
4 to 5 eggs
4 to 6 cups of oil vegetable/canola/sunflower
Directions:-
Cooking ragù filling:
Step#1- In a large sauté pan on medium heat add oil, onions, carrots, celery, and salt.
Step#2- Sweat the vegetables until golden and add chopped meat.
Step#3- Break meat with your spoon and higher heat.
Step#4- Once the meat is cooked through add wine and let it evaporate. Add the passata and peas, lower heat to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes. Let it cool completely.
Cooking rice:
Step#1- Bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Add bouillon and let it dissolve.
Step#2- Add the rice, bring it to a boil, and lower heat to a simmer.
Step#3- Cover and let it cook for about 20 minutes. Stir often so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
Step#4- Once the rice is cooked and water fully absorbed add the saffron, butter, cheese, and adjust salt and pepper.
Step#5- Move it to a cookie sheet and let it cool completely.
Assembling the Rice Balls
Step#1- On a shallow plate add the breadcrumbs.
Step#2- Whisk the eggs on a shallow plate. I like the 9-inch pie plates. It gives you room to fully coat the rice balls.
Step#3- Fill a bowl with cold water. Wet your hands, grab a handful amount of rice. Flatten it and add a spoonful of ragù and diced mozzarella.
Step#4- Add a little more rice on top and roll until you have a perfect ball. Size can vary (I don’t like them too small or too large). Dip in egg wash and coat completely then into the breadcrumbs.
Step#5- In a pot with plenty of oil because they need to deep fry bring to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 Celsius) temperature.
Step#6- Add the rice balls but don’t overcrowd. Fry until golden. Drain on a paper towel and enjoy hot!
Buon appetito.