Arancini / Arancini di Riso

By Mrunal | Updated: 06/02/2019

Arancini is a dish of Italian origin. They are actually stuffed rice balls with a crisp outer covering that breaks open to reveal the soft and delicate rice grains suspended in rich, melted mozzarella cheese. They form a fabulous lunch or dinner in its own right or can be served as a mid-meal snack. You can also stuff vegetables and other ingredients to make it more healthy.

Serves	Preparation Time	Cooking Time
5 People	75 – 80 Minutes	35 – 40 Minutes

Ingredients

1 cup arborio rice
3 cups chicken stock
2 tbsp oilve oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
4 oz mozzarella cheese, cut in cubes
2 eggs, beaten
2 tbsp parsley
3/4 cup dried bread crumbs
Oil for frying
Salt to taste

Method

Step 1

Heat oil in a saucepan. Add chopped onions and saute until it gets soft.

Step 2

Add rice and turmeric powder to the saucepan. Stir well for about 2 – 3 minutes.

Step 3

Add 3/4th of the stock and bring it to boil. Keep stirring until all the liquid is evaporated.

Step 4

Add chilli powder, black pepper and the leftover stock. Cook for about 10 – 15 minutes. Make sure that the liquid is absorbed and the rice has become tender.

Step 5

Switch off the flame. Now, add butter, cheese and parsley. Stir well.

Step 6

Once the rice cools, add the beaten eggs and mix well. Now, divide the mixture into equal portions.

Step 7

Take a mozzarella cheese cube and enclose it in a portion of the rice mixture to form a ball. Repeat the procedure with the remaining rice mixture and cheese cubes.

Step 8

Roll the balls in the bread crumbs. Place these balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover it loosely and place it in the refrigerator for around an hour.

Step 9

Heat oil for deep frying in a saucepan. Fry the rice balls for about 4 – 5 min or until it turns golden brown. Remove the ball and place it on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot.