Stuffed Arancini Food

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

CRAB ARANCINI

Steps:

• For the risotto: Heat a 3 1/2-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil and butter. When the butter is melted, add the shallots and garlic; cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the salt and the rice; stir to coat with the flavors of the pan. Cook for 1 minute, then deglaze with the white wine. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, stirring often, until the wine is almost fully absorbed. Add the broth and stir to combine; cook, stirring often, until the rice is tender but not mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan, mascarpone, lemon zest, crab and chives. Spread the risotto out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cold.
• For the arancini: Prepare a breading station using three shallow bowls: Place the flour and salt in one bowl, the eggs in another, and the panko in yet another. Using a 1-tablespoon ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop a round of risotto into the palm of your hand and form it into a ball. Roll the ball in the flour, then the egg, and then the panko; make sure the entire ball is well coated. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and repeat with the remaining risotto.
• Add enough oil to a medium saucepan to come 2 inches up the side of the pan. Heat over medium-high until the oil reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Using a spider or slotted spoon, lower 5 or 6 rice balls into the oil, or as many as the pan will allow without crowding. Fry until deep golden brown and heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Continue with the rest of the rice balls. Serve warm, with marinara alongside for dipping, if desired.

OVEN-BAKED MOZZARELLA-STUFFED ARANCINI

Steps:

• Combine rice, water, 1 whole green onion and garlic in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and cool.
• Remove and discard green onion.
• Preheat oven to 425°F Coat baking pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
• Finely chop the rest of the green onions.
• Fold eggs, parsley, Romano and onions into rice.
• Spread breadcrumbs on a large plate.
• Shape 1/4 cup rice mixture around one mozzarella ball. Roll in breadcrumbs, and place on baking sheet.
• Repeat with the rest of the ingredients.
• Drizzle arancini with the reserved oil.
• Bake 20-25 minutes or until outside is crisp and brown.
• Meanwhile, warm marinara sauce.
• Place sauce in the bottom of a large serving dish. Place arancini on top of sauce and sprinkle with parsley.