Arancini di riso, also known as Sicilian rice balls, are a traditional Italian dish that has become a beloved street food and comfort dish around the world. These deep-fried rice balls are made with leftover risotto, stuffed with various fillings, and coated with breadcrumbs, creating a crispy exterior and a creamy, flavorful interior. Whether you prefer the classic recipe or one with a modern twist, there are countless variations of arancini di riso to satisfy your taste buds. In this article, we will explore some of the best recipes for making these delicious rice balls, providing you with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to achieve the perfect arancini di riso.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
FRIED AND STUFFED RICE BALLS (ARANCINI DI RISO)
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Breading: Put the bread crumbs in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the risotto, bread crumbs, Parmesan, basil, and eggs. With damp hands, using about 2 tablespoons of the risotto mixture, form the mixture into 1 3/4-inch diameter balls. Make a hole in the center of each ball and insert a cube of Gorgonzola. Cover up the hole to completely enclose the cheese. Roll the balls in the breading to coat.
- In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about 1/3 of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you dont have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 2 minutes.) In batches, fry the rice balls, turning occasionally, until golden, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and keep the broth hot.
- In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Add the wine and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup hot broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next. Cook the rice until tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining butter, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Yield: 2 cups
ARANCINI DI RISO
In Italy, arancini balls are often served as a side dish, like bread. Our arancini recipe features a ground beef and green pea filling. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 35m
Yield 11 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook rice according to package directions. Cool slightly. Stir in the egg yolk, cheese and butter. Cover and refrigerate until cooled., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, peas, salt and pepper., Shape 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 egg whites and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip rice balls in egg whites, then roll in bread crumbs. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry rice balls, a few at a time, for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346 calories, Fat 18g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 39mg cholesterol, Sodium 342mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
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: SICILIAN RICE BALLS
Provided by Christina Conte
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Make the risotto by adding the rice to the heated oil in a large saute pan, and stirring quickly for one or two minutes. Quickly add the white wine while stirring. With the heat on medium high, begin adding the chicken stock a little at a time, and continuously stirring, until all the stock has been used and the rice is cooked, yet still al dente (I have a risotto recipe here on my blog). Taste; adding salt if necessary. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Add an egg to the risotto and mix well, then refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight.
- To make the arancini:
- Place some rice in your hand and flatten it into your cupped hand, but don't make it too thin, or the filling will ooze out. Place a piece of mozzarella, and/or a little tomato sauce (and peas, if using) in the center of the cupped rice. Next, close the rice around the filling and shape into a ball.
- If you'd like to make conical shapes, flatten the bottom of the ball, and make the top more pointed.
- Now, roll the shaped arancini in flour, then roll them in the beaten egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Set aside until all of the rice has been used.
- Heat some oil in a deep fryer, pot or wok until it is very hot. Add the arancini, and cook quickly, turning often so they don't brown too much on one side. If serving immediately, fry for a few minutes, so the cheese will melt in the center. Remove from oil and place on paper towel lined plate or tray. (If you'd like to serve them at a later time, remove them quickly after just browning; then, just before serving, place them on a baking sheet and re-heat in the oven at 400ºF for 5 to 10 minutes.)
- Serve plain, or place on tray with a little tomato sauce and garnish with basil. You can also serve them with a little extra sauce on the side, although this isn't done in Italy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 525 calories, Carbohydrate 32 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 181 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 20 grams fat, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, SaturatedFat 7 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 2, Sodium 520 grams sodium, Sugar 3 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 17 grams unsaturated fat
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.
ARANCINI DI RISO (RICE BALLS)
Make and share this Arancini Di Riso (Rice Balls) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Phil Franco
Categories Long Grain Rice
Time 40m
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
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, rice, 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 rice mixture for each, form the rice 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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 85.3, Fat 2.4, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 25.7, Sodium 221.3, Carbohydrate 11.7, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 0.6, Protein 3.9
AMATO'S ARANCINI DE RISO
Provided by Connie Amato
Yield Makes 18
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In medium heavy saucepan, combine 4 cups water, rice, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- In large skillet over moderate heat, heat 1 teaspoon oil until hot but not smoking. Add beef and 1 teaspoon salt. Sauté, stirring occasionally and breaking up large lumps with wooden spoon, until meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in peas, sauce, and garlic powder and simmer, uncovered, until most of liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and set aside to cool.
- Line 2 large baking sheets with wax paper. In large bowl, mix together rice, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, egg yolks, pepper, and 1 teaspoon salt. Wet hands, scoop up about 2 tablespoons mixture, and roll into 2-inch ball. Poke small hole into center of ball and insert 1 scant tablespoon meat mixture. Re-form into ball and place on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining rice and meat mixtures, placing all balls on 1 baking sheet.
- Place egg whites and bread crumbs in separate bowls. Dredge 1 ball in egg white, letting excess drip off, then dredge in bread crumbs and transfer to second baking sheet. Repeat with remaining balls.
- In large, heavy pot, heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches oil until thermometer registers 360°F. Working in batches of 4, lower rice balls into oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 360°F between batches. Let balls stand 2 minutes before serving.
Tips:
- Choose the right rice. Arborio rice is the traditional choice for arancini, as it has a high starch content that helps the rice balls hold their shape. However, you can also use other short-grain rices, such as Carnaroli or Vialone Nano.
- Cook the rice properly. The rice should be cooked until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will help prevent the rice balls from becoming mushy.
- Let the rice cool completely before shaping it. This will make it easier to handle and prevent the rice balls from falling apart.
- Use a variety of fillings. Arancini can be filled with anything from classic Italian ingredients like mozzarella and tomato sauce to more creative options like roasted vegetables or pulled pork.
- Fry the arancini until they are golden brown. This will give them a crispy outer layer and a gooey, flavorful center.
- Serve the arancini hot. They are best enjoyed fresh out of the fryer, when the rice is still crispy and the filling is melted.
Conclusion:
Arancini are a delicious and versatile Italian dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. With a variety of fillings to choose from, there is sure to be an arancini recipe that everyone will love. 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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