Arancini

This is a favourite among our family, particularly for special gatherings. Though they take some time to prepare, they’re worth the effort. They’re best eaten hot, fresh out of the fryer.

Ingredients for rice base

500g arborio rice
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lt chicken stock
40g butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons passata sauce
Half cup Parmesan cheese

Ingredients for filling

1 cup bolognese sauce
Half cup cooked peas
2 boiled eggs, diced
Half cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small pieces
2 slices of ham, chopped

Ingredients for egg wash

2 cups bread crumbs
2 eggs, scrambled with half cup of milk
1 cup plain flour
Vegetable oil

Method for rice base

1. Heat oil in large pot (large enough to hold 1lt stock)

2. Fry onion in oil until translucent (not browned)

3. Add rice and cook until edges are translucent

4. Add stock, stir into rice (allow rice to absorb all the stock)

5. Turn off heat, stir in butter, then passata sauce, and then Parmesan cheese

6. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. It’s important to now taste the rice mixture to ensure it’s full of flavour. This is your base!

7. On a tray, place some baking paper, and spread out the rice mixture to cool

Filling the rice

8. Using the arancini mould, spray it will oil and then fill the base with rice, and then use the drill part to create a well.

9. Place each of the filling ingredients inside the well: tablespoon of bolognese, a few peas, a few pieces of the egg, mozzarella and ham.

10. Grab a small handful of rice mixture to close the well.

11. Repeat this process until all of the rice mixture is used up.

12. Place tray of arancini in fridge to cool

Covering the Arancini in breadcrumbs

13. Line up 3 bowls: (i) flour; (ii) egg and milk mixture; (iii) breadcrumbs

14. Place arancini in flour bowl, gently cover in flour, and then place into the egg wash, and then into the breadcrumbs.

15. Place all arancini on a tray, and cool in fridge before deep frying

Deep frying the Arancini

16. Heat vegetable oil in a domestic deep fryer (to 180 degrees), or a deep pot. You need enough oil to cover the arancini (or if it only covers half the arancini, keep turning it). over
17. When the oil is at temperature, place a number of arancini into the oil, and allow to cook until golden brown all over.
18. Repeat process until all are cooked, and enjoy while fresh and hot!

To see a longer, more detailed (10-minute video) of this recipe using the arancinotto device, click here.

To see a 5-minute version of this recipe where I use my hands to make the actual arancini, click here.