I have wanted to try to make Arancini, which are Italian fried rice balls, for a while now and I had some left over rice from a previous meal.
Most recipes call for bread crumbs and eggs to bind the rice and make a ball. I didn’t have any bread crumbs so I substituted flour to help the egg bind the rice. You can also try different types of cheese depending on the flavor you wish.
They were great with a sweet and cheesy flavor! I am not a frying fan because of the mess and smell in the house so I tried baking a few, too. The baked Arancini were just as good but didn’t have the crispy shell that the fried balls had. I will have to play around with the recipe more in the future!
Arancini (fried rice balls)
2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup shredded cheese ( I used mozzarella)
1/4 cup flour
2 eggs
Place a heavy pot on medium high heat and add enough oil to about 4 inches deep for frying. If you have a deep fryer that would work, too.
Combine the ingredients until just mixed. Form into a ball of about two inches. You can use an ice cream scoop. Fry until they are browned to your liking. Be very careful to use a slotted spoon or spatula to slowly place them in the oil and carefully remove them when they are done. Allow them to cool on paper towels before eating.
Tip: Oil your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking your hands.
The below Arancini were baked at 400f for about 20 to 30 minutes but they never became as crispy as the fried arancini but were just as cheesy and flavorful.
xxx
Arthur in the Garden! 