What is Arancini?
Arancini are traditional Italian rice balls that are typically filled with cheese, meat, or vegetables. They are coated in breadcrumbs and then deep-fried to perfection. These tasty treats originated in Sicily and have since become a popular dish all around the world.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups of Arborio rice
- 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (diced into small cubes)
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup of minced onion
- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: Preparing the Rice
Start by cooking the Arborio rice according to the instructions on the package. Instead of using water, use chicken or vegetable broth to add more flavor to the rice. Once the rice is cooked, let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 2: Mixing the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, minced onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
Step 3: Filling the Rice Balls
Take a small handful of the rice mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center and carefully shape the rice into a ball, ensuring that the cheese is fully covered. Repeat this step until all the rice and cheese are used.
Step 4: Coating the Arancini
In one shallow dish, place the beaten eggs, and in another dish, spread out the breadcrumbs. Dip each rice ball into the beaten eggs, making sure it is fully coated. Then roll it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick to the surface.
Step 5: Frying the Arancini
In a deep frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place a few arancini at a time into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, turning them occasionally to ensure even frying. Once done, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 6: Serving and Enjoying
Your homemade arancini are now ready to be served! They are best enjoyed while still warm and crispy. You can serve them as an appetizer, a main dish, or even as a snack for game nights or movie marathons. Dip them in marinara sauce or enjoy them as they are – the choice is yours!
Now that you’ve mastered the art of cooking arancini, impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. Buon appetito!