RICE TIMBALE (LIKE BAKED ARANCINI)
The arancini (fried rice balls) that are sold in the bars and cafes of Sicily are among my favorite foods. Here is a recipe that is easier for the home cook, and since it is baked and not fried, the fat content may be lower. This recipe has endless variations; I've posted the most complicated version (it's not that hard) which can then be unmolded for a dramatic presentation. But simpler versions abound -- for example, a timbale made in a springform pan and filled simply with ham, peas and a thick bechamel. Chopped spinach or eggplant could be added to the rice. The filling ingredients can be prepared the day before. Just an observation: to make it kid-friendly, keep it simple.
Provided by MariaLuisa
Categories Savory Pies
Time 3h
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Oil a 5-pint casserole dish (such as a Corningware souffle dish) 8-10 inches in diameter and coat lightly with dry breadcrumbs. This will serve as your timbale mold. Put aside.
- For the meatballs, combine the beef, soft breadcrumbs, 2 1/2 tablespoons parmesan, parsley, 1 egg, salt and pepper in a bowl (add a minced clove of garlic, if desired). Mix thoroughly to achieve a medium-soft consistency. Add a second egg if the mixture is too dry.
- Form meatballs the size of a large cherry and fry in 2 tablespoons of oil until lightly brown (alternatively, bake in the oven at 350°F for 15 minutes).
- Simmer 1 1/4 cups of the sauce in a pot, drop in the meatballs, and simmer for 15 minutes. Set aside.
- For the pea filling, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a pan and add the bacon, the peas, a pinch of salt, and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add the sausage meat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until the sausage changes color.
- Stir in the chicken livers and the wine. Simmer for 5 minutes. Taste for salt and set aside.
- For the rice mixture and assembly, preheat the oven to 375°F Bring the beef stock and 1/2 cup of the spaghetti sauce to a boil in an ovenproof casserole, stir in the rice, cover and bake for 10 minutes.
- When it comes out of the oven the rice will be underdone and very moist. Stir in 3/4 cup parmesan, 2 well-beaten eggs, and some freshly-ground pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Spoon 3/4 of the rice mixture into the prepared timbale mold, pressing firmly against the sides and bottom, leaving a hollow in the center.
- Cover the bottom of the hollow with half the mozzarella, then half the ham. Add the pea mixture, then the meatballs with their sauce, the mushrooms (here you could use sauteed cultivated mushrooms; it is more authentically Italian to use dried porcini mushrooms), and finally the remaining mozzarella and ham.
- Cover with the remaining rice, sprinkle the top with dry breadcrumbs and dot with butter.
- Bake in the oven at 375°F for one hour or until a golden crust forms. Remove from oven and let settle for 10 minutes, then unmold on a serving platter. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 775.4, Fat 35, SaturatedFat 13.1, Cholesterol 185.8, Sodium 1918.2, Carbohydrate 72.4, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 9.1, Protein 39.4
MARRA'S FRIED TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA ARANCINI
There are many arancini (or rice ball) recipes out there, many complicated, many just parmesan and chicken stock or milanese. I recreated what i got at school in Italy in grade 7. I love them and they are easy. If you have 2 cups of short grain cooked rice left over use them. Or if you have any tomato sauce and cooked short grain rice left over then just mix them together, and proceed to adding the mozzarella, dredge and cook.
Provided by MarraMamba
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- First of all put the olive oil in a heavy saucepan on medium heat and add onion and garlic until softened. then add rice coating it in oil.
- Put 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of tomato sauce in a measuring cup and slowly add a quarter cup, stirring constantly until absorbed, then add another quarter cup until done. This is a bit of a slow process, you want the rice to absorb the sauce before adding more. It is important to continuously stir, like any risotto or the bottom will burn. Once this is done, then add a 1/2c of water/tomato sauce mix, until absorbed, taste and add more if necessary. Until you get nice tender rice.
- Set aside to cool.
- Set up breading station, with a bowl for the 2 eggs, whisk, a bowl for bread crumbs and a bowl for flour.
- Take a small handful with wet hands of the cooled risotto, and make a dent. put 1 cube of mozzarella in it and cover it in a circle. I admit i put large amts of mozzarella in lol. Dredge in flour, then egg and then bread crumbs. My own preference is to dredge them again in egg and breadcrumbs but that is up to you.
- Make all your arancini (means small oranges) and heat the canola or other frying oil to medium high in a skillet. Place the balls in batches, turning as each side browns. Remove and drain.
- You will hear and see a few "leaking" cheese very quickly. I take those out sooner and after draining give it 15 seconds in the microwave before serving so they totally melt the cheese without it disappearing where I can't eat it into the oil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 840.8, Fat 38.4, SaturatedFat 11.9, Cholesterol 230.2, Sodium 1392, Carbohydrate 95.3, Fiber 6.3, Sugar 10.3, Protein 28.2
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