Real Tasty Italian Fried Ricotta Balls Food

RICOTTA BALLS (ITALIAN DOUGHNUTS)

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls into hot oil and deep fry.
• Balls will turn themselves over when one side is done.
• Fry until golden brown and cooked through adjust heat as needed if they brown too quickly without cooking through.
• Drain on paper towels to cool and absorb oil.
• When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

RICOTTA CASTAGNOLE RECIPE

Steps:

• If the ricotta is very watery then place in a sieve over a bowl and leave to drain for about 15 minutes.
• In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, corn starch, baking powder, salt and zest. Make a well in the middle add the egg and ricotta.
• Mix together with a fork or spatula the ingredients almost come together. Move the mixture to a lightly floured flat surface and gently knead a few times to form a soft compact dough. The dough will be a little sticky but do not add extra flour, lightly dust hands with flour while kneading. Cover the dough with a tea towel and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Remove small pieces of dough and form into balls the size of a chestnut.
• In a medium high sided pot add about 3 inches of oil, heat the oil to 340F (175C), keep the temperature as close to this as possible.
• Fry 3-4 castagnole at a time, turning to fry golden brown on both sides. Two minutes on each side should be enough time. Remove them with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate, leave for a few seconds then roll in granulated sugar. Place on a clean plate and serve immediately.

FRIED RISOTTO BALLS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat the stock in a medium saucepan over low heat to simmering.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium straight-sided skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften but does not color, about 4 minutes. Add the rice and toss to coat in the oil. Add the white wine and cook until completely absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Ladle in enough stock to just cover the rice. Adjust the heat so the liquid is simmering evenly. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is almost absorbed. Add the stock twice more in this manner (you may not use all of the stock) until the risotto is creamy and al dente, 16 to 18 minutes from the first addition of liquid. Off the heat, stir in the Parmesan and butter until smooth. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet and let cool completely.
• Once the risotto is cooled, scrape it into a large mixing bowl. Beat 1 egg and add to the bowl along with the fontina and prosciutto (separating any clumps of prosciutto with your fingers). Stir to combine. Line the baking sheet with a clean sheet of parchment. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the risotto into your hands and roll into a ball. Place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining risotto, to get about 18 balls. Refrigerate until just firm, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat about 2 inches vegetable oil in a medium Dutch oven to 350 degrees F. Break the remaining 2 eggs into a shallow bowl and beat with a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of water. Spread the flour and breadcrumbs in 2 separate shallow bowls.
• Dredge the balls in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs, taking care to coat them completely. Return them to the baking sheet.
• Fry the balls in 2 or 3 batches until deep golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per batch, letting the oil return to temperature before adding another batch. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with Parmesan and chopped parsley.

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.

HAM AND CHEESE ARANCINI (ITALIAN FRIED RICE BALLS)

Steps:

• Saute onion in 1 T butter over medium heat until translucent and beginning to brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• In a bowl lightly beat 2 eggs. Stir in cooked rice, ham, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, sauteed onion, seasoned salt, garlic salt, parsley and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Roll into 1-1/2-inch balls.and press a cheese cube into each ball, reshaping around the cheese.(I have used havarti and swiss in place of the cheddar with fantastic results!).
• Place the flour into a small bowl. Whisk 2 eggs in a second small bowl. Place the dry breadcrumbs in a third small bowl.
• Dip each ball into flour, then into the egg and then into the breadcrumbs.
• Heat oil to 375 degrees, then fry rice balls until golden brown (about 4 minutes). You can also shallow fry them in oil, turning to brown.
• Drain on paper towels and enjoy! They are nice dipped in french onion dip, ranch dip or all on their own.