SPINACH RICE BALLS

Spinach Rice Balls image

Provided by William Norwich

Time 1h

Yield 24 balls

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups basmati rice
3 tablespoons soy oil
4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 red onion, finely diced
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 large eggs
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs, plus more for coating
Oil for deep-frying
Cumin Tomato Sauce (see recipe)

Steps:

Prepare the rice according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the garlic until lightly browned. Add the onion and sauté until clear. Stir in the spinach, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and Tabasco. Remove from the heat.
Add the rice to the spinach mixture and mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Beat 2 of the eggs in a small bowl and add to the spinach mixture. Mix well and set aside to cool.
Form the mixture into 24 balls. Beat the remaining egg with 1/4 cup water. Dip each ball into the egg wash and then into the bread crumbs.
Pour oil into a saucepan to a depth of 2 inches and heat to about 365 degrees. Fry the spinach balls in batches until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in a low oven until all the balls are fried. Serve with Cumin Tomato Sauce.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 89, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 95 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams