ARANCINI
There's no way around it: To make arancini, you have to make risotto, although you could also use any kind of leftover risotto, as long as the mixture isn't loose from excess liquid. This recipe employs a simple base of Parmesan risotto that is chilled, rolled, breaded and fried, but the classic version starts with saffron risotto, which explains the Italian name arancine, or little oranges, named for their shape and hue. Simmering risotto and frying the arancini are simple tasks, but the step in between is crucial: Do not skimp on chilling your risotto. If it is not properly chilled, it will fall apart in the hot oil instead of forming crisp, glistening, orbs filled with molten cheese. Serve these arancini with warmed tomato sauce or even pesto, and crown them with a flurry of gremolata or plain lemon zest for brightness.
Provided by Alexa Weibel
Categories dinner, finger foods, grains and rice, appetizer, side dish
Time 1h15m
Yield About 2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Prepare the risotto: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium. Add onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in rice until coated, about 1 minute, then add wine. Cook, stirring frequently, until absorbed, about 1 minute.
- Stir in 1/2 cup stock. Cook, stirring frequently, until stock is almost absorbed, about 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining stock, adding 1/2 cup at a time and stirring until absorbed before adding the next cup, about 15 minutes.
- Once all the stock has been absorbed - the rice should be tender but still slightly toothsome and the risotto creamy - stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread out in an even layer and let cool, at least 20 minutes. Cover tightly in plastic wrap (or transfer to a lidded container) and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour or up to 2 or 3 days.
- Once the risotto is chilled, slice it into about 24 even portions. Working with one at a time, gently roll each into a ball, then press between your palms to flatten slightly. Press one cube of mozzarella into the center and shape the risotto up and over it, sealing the cheese in the center. Roll the ball in your palms until round. Repeat with remaining risotto balls. (If you're not planning to fry them right away, arrange them on a small baking sheet in a single layer, cover and refrigerate until cooking, up to 2 or 3 days in advance. If the risotto mixture isn't cold, it can fall apart in the hot oil.)
- In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium. (If you have a candy thermometer, now is a good time to use it: Heat the oil to about 350 degrees.)
- Prepare the breading: Add the flour to a shallow bowl, then add the eggs to another shallow bowl and beat the eggs to combine. In a third bowl, combine the panko and Italian seasoning, if using, with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine.
- Working with one arancini, roll it first in the flour, shaking off any excess, then in the egg, then in the panko, taking care to coat it on all sides with each roll. Transfer to a clean baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining arancini.
- Fry the arancini in batches, leaving at least one inch between each ball, until golden and crisp on the outside, about 5 minutes. (By the time the crust crisps, the cheese filling will melt.) Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and repeat with remaining arancini. (If the crust is cooking to quickly, you can turn off the heat momentarily and continue to cook in the oil, which will maintain residual heat. Turn the stove back on if needed.)
- Spoon warmed tomato sauce onto small plates or into bowls and top with warm arancini, or set sauce in a bowl for dipping and arrange arancini on a serving platter. Sprinkle arancini with finely grated Parmesan and more parsley, if desired.
ARANCINI
Steps:
- Bring the broth and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the rice, reduce the heat to low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let cool completely.
- Combine the pine nuts, mozzarella, fontina and parsley in a bowl; set aside.
- Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then stir in the cooled rice, the parmesan and 2/3 cup breadcrumbs. Shape the mixture into sixteen 1 1/2-inch balls.
- Put the remaining breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl. Press your finger into the center of each rice ball, insert 2 teaspoons of the mozzarella mixture, then pinch the rice around the filling to enclose. Roll the balls in the breadcrumbs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Loosely cover and refrigerate, at least 1 hour or overnight. (If refrigerating overnight, roll in more breadcrumbs before frying.)
- Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the rice balls, turning, until golden brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; season with salt.
STUFFED ARANCINI
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories appetizer
Time 3h
Yield 28 rice balls
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- For the risotto: Puree the corn and Parmesan in a food processor until paste-like and almost completely smooth. Set aside.
- Heat a 3 1/2-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter, and heat until the butter is melted. Add the shallots and garlic; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until soft and fragrant, 2 minutes. Add the salt and stir in the rice; cook for one minute. Deglaze with the wine and reduce the heat to medium; simmer, stirring, until the wine is almost fully absorbed. Stir in the chicken broth and rosemary; cook, stirring often, until the rice is tender but not mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the corn puree.
- Spread the risotto out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold.
- For the arancini: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. Combine the flour and salt in the first bowl; whisk the eggs in the second bowl; mix the panko and cornmeal in the third. Using a 1-tablespoon ice cream scoop, scoop a ball of risotto into the palm of your hand. Press a piece of chicken sausage into the center of the ball, then shape the ball to make sure it is completely covered. Roll the ball in the flour, then in the egg, and, finally, in the breadcrumbs, making sure the ball is completely coated. Place the arancini on a rimmed baking sheet and continue with the remaining risotto.
- Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Fry the arancini in batches of 5 or 6, using a spider or slotted spoon to carefully lower the rice balls into the oil. Fry until deep golden brown and heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel-lined tray.
- Serve warm with marinara for dipping, if desired.
SAUSAGE AND SAGE ARANCINI
Just came across these and was taken back to South Bend, Indiana, to Parisi's Italian Ristorante, and Mama Parisi's arancini, or rice balls. They were a must-order every time we dined there, and when Mama P. passed, her recipe passed with her. Though I am told that a variation lives on. Magnifico! Recipe & photo: familycircle.com 12-04-14
Provided by Ellen Bales @Starwriter
Categories Cheese Appetizers
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Add sausage to a pot over medium-high heat, breaking up with a spoon. Cook 6 minutes, until browned. Reduce heat to medium and stir in onion. Cook 3 to 5 minutes until softened. Mix in garlic and sage; cook 1 minute. Stir in rice and wine, scraping bottom of pan to release brown bits. Cook until liquid evaporates. Pour in broth and 1-1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook 25 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir in salt and pepper. Spread rice on a rimmed baking sheet to cool 10 minutes, then refrigerate 1 hour.
- Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot to 350º. Scrape risotto into a large bowl and mix with egg and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs. Using hands, form a ball around a cube of cheese with 2 Tbsp. of the mixture. Roll in remaining 1/2 cup bread crumbs. Place on a baking sheet while continuing to form arancini.
- Fry arancini in batches (no more than 8 at a time) for 3 minutes each, maintaining temp around 350º (it will drop when arancini are added). Place on a paper-towel-lined plate; allow to cool slightly (cheese will continue to melt inside). Serve hot with marinara on the side for dipping.
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