MEXICAN RICE BALLS

Mexican Rice Balls image

Provided by Catherine McCord

Yield Makes 22 rice balls

Number Of Ingredients 8

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1 cup short grain rice
2 1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder*
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup cheddar cheese cubes (I use 4 cheese sticks cut into 6 pieces each)

Steps:

In a pot, combine all of the ingredients except the cheese, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 45 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the water and is cooked through. Leave pot covered and allow it to sit on the stove, off of the heat, for about 10 minutes.
When rice is cool enough to handle, take about 2 tablespoons of it with moist hands (to avoid sticking), place a cheese cube in the center, and roll into a ball. Continue with remaining rice and cheese.
Place rice balls in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to melt the cheese. Alternatively, place the rice balls in a steamer pot over boiling water for 1-2 minutes.