Skip to main content

Nutmeg

Arancini (Stuffed Rice Balls)

Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 12 12–14 arancini
Course: Starter / Snack
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

Rice Base
  • 400 g Arborio rice
  • 1 litre chicken stock
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 80 g Parmigiano-Reggiano grated
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • Salt and pepper
Filling
  • 150 g minced beef or pork
  • 100 g frozen peas
  • 100 g tomato passata
  • 50 g mozzarella cut into small cubes
Crumbing
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 150 g breadcrumbs
  • Oil for deep-frying

Method
 

  1. Cook the rice: sauté onion in olive oil until soft. Add rice and toast for 2 minutes. Add stock ladle by ladle, stirring, until the rice is cooked and very thick (drier than risotto). Stir in Parmigiano and beaten eggs. Season and spread on a tray to cool completely.
  2. Make the filling: brown the minced meat in a pan, add the passata and peas, season and cook until thick. Cool.
  3. With damp hands, take a golf ball-sized portion of rice and flatten in your palm. Place a teaspoon of filling and a cube of mozzarella in the centre. Fold the rice around the filling and shape into a ball. Repeat.
  4. Dip each rice ball in beaten egg, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly.
  5. Deep-fry in oil at 180°C for 3–4 minutes until deeply golden. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Serve hot with extra tomato sauce for dipping.

Notes

Source: Classic Sicilian recipe

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!