Arancini (Risotto croquettes) recipe
Arancini is an Italian croquette made with risotto and using various ingredients for stuffing. This recipe is for a mozzarella stuffed arancini. The recipe is simple to make and once the risotto is ready it requires just 4 to 5 minutes of frying. Arancini can be served as an appetizer, as a snack or even as a complete meal when served with a green salad.
Preparation time: 25 minutes, Cooking time: 40 minutes, Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 onion, minced
1 lb arborio rice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
2 Tbsp freshly grated Parmesan or Grana Padano cheese
2 Tbsp butter
1 egg
Salt and black pepper to taste
12 oz. fresh mozzarella, cubed
3 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup bread crumbs
Directions
In a small frying pan over medium high heat add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and saute the onion for 5 to 6 minutes, or until translucent. Add the arborio rice
and cook for 3 minutes. Add the white wine and one third of the chicken or vegetable broth
and stir until all the liquid is absorbed. Add half of the remaining stock and cook, stirring frequently, until absorbed. Add the remaining stock and repeat. Remove from the heat and let it cool for 10
to 15 minutes.
Add the grana padano, butter, egg and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well until all ingredients are well combined. Divide the rice mixture into 16 small equal portions and set aside.
Beat the 3 eggs into a ball, place the flour into a large plate and the bread crumbs into another.
Take a rice portion and place a mozzarella cube in the middle. Use your palms to shape it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining rice.
Take a rice ball and roll it into the flour. Dip it into the beaten eggs, then roll it into the bread crumbs. Set aside and repeat with the remaining rice balls.
Pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan over medium high heat, bring to a heat and fry the rice balls until golden brown. Remove and place on paper towels.