Authentic Italian Rice Ball Recipe

June 13, 2023 Post a Comment

Table of Contents [Show]

Easy Baked Rice Balls (Arancini) Rice balls, Appetizer recipes, Baked rice from www.pinterest.com

Description

Rice balls, also known as arancini, are a popular Italian street food that originated in Sicily. These crispy, golden balls are made from cooked rice, stuffed with meat, cheese, and herbs, then fried until crispy. They're perfect as a snack or an appetizer for any occasion.

Prep Time

The preparation time for this recipe is approximately 30-40 minutes.

Cook Time

The cook time for this recipe is approximately 25-30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the rice balls:

2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup finely chopped cooked ham
1/2 cup finely chopped mozzarella cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to taste

For the tomato sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

Large skillet
Bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Knife and cutting board
Spatula

Method

1. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked rice, grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, chopped basil, cooked ham, and mozzarella cheese. 2. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add them to the rice mixture. Mix well. 3. Form the rice mixture into small balls, about 2-3 inches in diameter. 4. Place the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl and roll each rice ball in the breadcrumbs until coated. 5. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 6. Add the rice balls to the skillet and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. 7. Remove the rice balls from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. 8. To make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. 9. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pan and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. 10. Add the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan and bring to a simmer. 11. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 12. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. 13. Serve the rice balls hot with a side of tomato sauce.

Notes

If you don't have cooked rice, you can cook it according to the package instructions and let it cool before using it in this recipe. You can also use leftover rice from a previous meal.

Nutrition Info

One serving of this recipe (2 rice balls and 1/4 cup tomato sauce) contains approximately:

Calories: 434
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 47g
Fat: 19g
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 676mg

Recipe Tips

Make sure to use cold, cooked rice in this recipe as it will hold together better when forming the rice balls. You can also refrigerate the rice mixture for 30 minutes before forming the balls to make them easier to handle. Experiment with different fillings for the rice balls, such as ground beef, sausage, or chopped vegetables. You can also add different herbs and spices to the rice mixture to give it extra flavor. If you don't want to fry the rice balls, you can bake them in the oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.