Arancini

The little balls of deliciousness called arancini are one of my favorite treats.  Whenever my mother would make them,it would always put a smile on my face.  Arancini vary in size,shape and ingredients…some use sauce,peas,mushrooms,meat and other ingredients but the best ones are usually the ones you most fondly remember,which would make these my favorite.

Arancini di mamma

Ingredients:white rice,parsley,eggs,salt,mozzarella,bread crumbs,grated Parmigiano or Romano cheese,sliced ham,hard boiled egg (optional)

• Make your rice and let it cool to the touch.  You can speed up the cooling process by laying the rice out on a flat surface.
• Cut your mozzarella into small cubes and the ham into small pieces (if you are using hard boiled eggs,cut them into small pieces as well)
• Once your rice has cooled,mix it in a large bowl with salt,chopped parsley,grated Parmigiano or Romano cheese,garlic powder and 2-3 eggs.

• Place a tablespoon of the rice mixture into the palm of your hand.
• Form a small hole in the center of the tablespoon of rice (like you’re planting a seed) and place a small cube of mozzarella and piece of ham into it (also add a piece of hard boiled egg if you decide to use it in the recipe)
• Place another tablespoon of rice on top and shape into a ball.

• Gently roll each arancino in bread crumbs.
• Place them in hot vegetable oil (we use canola.) You should use enough oil to cover the arancini even though they will float.

• After a few minutes,turn each arancino over.
• You’ll know they’re done when both sides are golden brown (should be about 10 minutes)

Enjoy and buon appetito!