Aunt Claras Rice Balls Food

RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot, pour in uncooked rice and cook for 2 minutes. Add saffron, if using and pour in wine until wine evaporates. Begin stirring in boiling water until rice is tender. Cook rice uncovered. Add salt and pepper, to taste. When rice is cooked take off heat, mix in cheese and 2 eggs. Place in refrigerator, covered, for 2 hours or overnight. Rice must be chilled.
• In a large frying pan over medium heat add oil, saute onions and the chopped garlic for 2 minutes, add in the beef and pork, and brown. Remove excess grease. Add in basil, tomato paste, tomato sauce , water, and sugar until it all becomes thick in texture. Add peas while still warm, take off heat and set aside. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
• Take 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture, place in hand and form a small cup.
• Place 1/2 teaspoon of the meat mixture to center of the rice cup, add 1 teaspoon of the rice over the meat mixture and roll in a ball. Roll the rice ball in the remaining eggs and then roll that into the bread crumbs. Heat vegetable oil to 360 degrees F. Deep-fry rice balls until browned, place on a paper towel lined plate or dish.
• Before serving garnish with cheese and/or the extra sauce.

FRIED AND STUFFED RICE BALLS (ARANCINI DI RISO)

Steps:

• Breading: Put the bread crumbs in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the risotto, bread crumbs, Parmesan, basil, and eggs. With damp hands, using about 2 tablespoons of the risotto mixture, form the mixture into 1 3/4-inch diameter balls. Make a hole in the center of each ball and insert a cube of Gorgonzola. Cover up the hole to completely enclose the cheese. Roll the balls in the breading to coat.
• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour in enough oil to fill the pan about 1/3 of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. (If you dont have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 2 minutes.) In batches, fry the rice balls, turning occasionally, until golden, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and keep the broth hot.
• In a large, heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Add the wine and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup hot broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next. Cook the rice until tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining butter, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Yield: 2 cups

ARANCINI DI RISO: SICILIAN RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Make the risotto by adding the rice to the heated oil in a large saute pan, and stirring quickly for one or two minutes. Quickly add the white wine while stirring. With the heat on medium high, begin adding the chicken stock a little at a time, and continuously stirring, until all the stock has been used and the rice is cooked, yet still al dente (I have a risotto recipe here on my blog). Taste; adding salt if necessary. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Add an egg to the risotto and mix well, then refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight.
• To make the arancini:
• Place some rice in your hand and flatten it into your cupped hand, but don't make it too thin, or the filling will ooze out. Place a piece of mozzarella, and/or a little tomato sauce (and peas, if using) in the center of the cupped rice. Next, close the rice around the filling and shape into a ball.
• If you'd like to make conical shapes, flatten the bottom of the ball, and make the top more pointed.
• Now, roll the shaped arancini in flour, then roll them in the beaten egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Set aside until all of the rice has been used.
• Heat some oil in a deep fryer, pot or wok until it is very hot. Add the arancini, and cook quickly, turning often so they don't brown too much on one side. If serving immediately, fry for a few minutes, so the cheese will melt in the center. Remove from oil and place on paper towel lined plate or tray. (If you'd like to serve them at a later time, remove them quickly after just browning; then, just before serving, place them on a baking sheet and re-heat in the oven at 400ºF for 5 to 10 minutes.)
• Serve plain, or place on tray with a little tomato sauce and garnish with basil. You can also serve them with a little extra sauce on the side, although this isn't done in Italy.

RICE BALLS WITH BOLOGNESE SAUCE, PEAS, MOZZARELLA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• For the meat sauce: Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Remove the ground beef to a plate with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add the carrots, celery, onion and tomato paste to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. Then, add the cooked ground beef and red wine. Cook for another 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock and rosemary, bring to a simmer until the sauce has reduced, about 45 minutes. Fold in the peas.
• For the tomato sauce: Blend the tomatoes in a blender or food processor. Add the tomatoes and garlic to a large pot. Tie the basil and parsley together in a bundle using kitchen string and add to the pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt. Remove the herb bouquet.
• For the breadcrumb mixture: Mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and parsley in a bowl.
• For the Arborio rice balls: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Simmer the rice, covered, until the liquid has evaporated and the rice is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork. Spread the rice out on a sheet tray to cool, until it is just slightly warm.
• Put the cooled rice into a large bowl. Fold the eggs and the Locatelli cheese into the rice, being careful not to overwork and damage the rice.
• Form some of the rice into a "cup" shape. Holding it in one hand, put some of the meat sauce inside the cup. Add some of the ricotta and fresh mozzarella, and a little more meat sauce. Make a second "cup" of rice and press it together with the filled cup. The rice ball should be about the size of a baseball. Continue with the remaining rice and filling.
• Fill a heavy-bottomed saucepan with 6 inches of peanut oil and place over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Roll the rice balls in the breadcrumb mixture. Deep-fry until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Spoon the tomato sauce on the bottom of each plate. Place a rice ball in the center of the dish. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley.

SAL'S RICE BALLS (ARANCINI)

Steps:

• For the filling: Crush the tomatoes with an immersion blender.
• In a 4-quart pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 3 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and cook until tender. Add the beef and pork and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned. Add the crushed tomatoes, increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the salt and pepper, reduce to a simmer and let cook for 20 minutes. Add the peas and simmer for 10 more minutes. Remove from the heat and spread on a baking sheet to cool.
• For the rice: In a 6-quart pot, bring the chicken stock, butter, salt and saffron to a boil. Add the rice and simmer, uncovered, stirring 2 or 3 times, until tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the grated pecorino and black pepper. Stir to mix well. Spread on a baking sheet to cool.
• For the breading: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, pecorino, salt and pepper.
• For assembly: Place the eggs in a shallow bowl and the flour in another shallow bowl. Scoop some rice into 1 hand to make a half a ball. Add 1 teaspoon of the meat filling and 1 teaspoon of the shredded mozzarella. Add more rice on top to form into a ball. Dredge the rice ball in the flour, then the beaten egg and then in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat and assemble more balls with the remaining rice, filling and breading.
• Heat the oil in a large pot or deep fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry the rice balls, in batches if necessary, until golden, about 3 minutes.

AUNT CLARA'S RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Mix cold sticky rice with 1 egg beaten, parsley, parmesan, mozzarella, salt and pepper.
• Use Ice cream scoop to scoop up a rice ball.
• Hand roll ball; roll in flour; dip in beaten egg and roll in bread crumbs.
• Heat 1" cooking oil in pan on stovetop over Medium-high heat and brown until golden.
• Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
• Leftovers do well in microwave.

DEFALCO'S ITALIAN ARANCINI (RICE BALLS)

Steps:

• Cook the rice according to the package directions. I prefer to use a chicken stock to cook the rice, as it adds more flavor. Once cooked, cool slightly. Stir in the Parmesan, butter and egg yolk. Cover and refrigerate until cooled.
• In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onions over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Stir in the peas, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Let cool, then add the Fontina and mix together.
• Shape the rice mixture into 11 patties. Place one heaping tablespoonful of meat filling in the center of each patty. Shape rice around filling, forming a ball.
• Place the oil in a large pot, making sure not to fill pot more than halfway, to prevent spillage. Heat to about 375 degrees F.
• Place the bread crumbs and egg whites in separate shallow bowls. Dip the rice balls in egg whites, then roll them in bread crumbs. Heat the oil on the stove to about 375 degrees. Be sure not to fill pot more than half way with oil, to prevent spillage. Fry the rice balls, a few at a time, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot plain, or with your favorite tomato sauce. Garnish with parsley.

TUNA BALLS

Steps:

• Drain tuna.
• Blend all ingredients together.
• Roll into walnut size balls.
• Roll tuna balls in 1/2 cup crushed Ritz cracker crumbs.
• Chill in ref.
• Serve with toothpicks.

DATE RICE KRISPIES BALLS

Steps:

• Combine butter, dates, and brown sugar in saucepan.
• Heat and stir until mushy.
• Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and rice Krispies.
• Roll into small balls and cover in coconut.

ITALIAN RICE BALLS

Steps:

• In a bowl whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, basil or parsley (I prefer basil), pepper, and salt; cover and refrigerate.
• Pour the chicken broth (or water and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt) into a large saucepan and bring to a boil; stir in the rice, cover and reduce the heat to low.
• Cook the rice until liquid is almost absorbed, about 15 to 17 minutes.
• Remove from heat and gradually pour in egg mixture, continually stirring rapidly to coat the surface of the rice and prevent the egg from scrambling; allow rice mixture to cool in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Pour bread crumbs into a shallow dish.
• Dampen your hands with water and create 1-inch balls from the rice mixture, then coat each one with bread crumbs.
• In a small, deep skillet, heat enough oil to cover the rice balls to an adequate frying temperature (350 degrees F) so that a piece of rice from the mixture actively sizzles when dropped in; alternately, a deep fryer may be used.
• Fry the rice balls 4 to 6 at a time, turning as needed to ensure even browning.
• Drain on paper towels, then serve warm as is or with a bit of marinara sauce.
• Another nice touch you can use with these is to put a small cube of mozzarella cheese in the middle of each rice ball!

ONIGIRI (JAPANESE RICE BALLS)

Steps:

• Cook the rice.
• Keep it warm, but let it cool enough so that it won't burn your hands.
• Cut each nori sheet into 9 strips.
• Wet your hands and sprinkle them with salt to prevent the rice from sticking to them.
• Mold a handful of rice into a triangular shape with an indentation in the middle.
• Press a piece of umeboshi into the indentation you left.
• Wrap the rice and umeboshi in Nori strips.
• Serve immediately or save for later.

RICE KRISPIES DATE BALLS (AKA ANGEL COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a saucepan, melt butter.
• Add dates and granulated sugar and cook slowly, stirring constantly, until blended.
• Add cereal and coconut, stirring to combine.
• Remove from heat and let cool until you can handle the mixture without burning your fingers.
• Form into 1" sized balls with greased hands, then roll each into powdered sugar to coat.

POTATO RICE BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Combine the first 5 ingredients with clean hands. Form into balls and roll in bread crumbs pressing in to coat the balls.
• Place on a olive oil spayed cookie sheet pan. Lightly spray the tops of the balls.
• Place in oven and bake 10 minutes. Flip and bake 10 more minutes.
• Remove and enjoy as is or drizzle olive oil over them, or dip in to your favorite tomato sauce.