Arancini Balls

I first saw these eye-catching bunches of goodness while watching Diner’s, Drive-In’s and Dives on Food Network. It looked so good, I watched with a lot of attention and took notes of the ingredients to make my own version! Over the years I’ve improved the recipe. Try it out!

Ingredients:

• 3-3/4 cup arborio rice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 7 cloves garlic
• 1-1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3-1/2 cup water
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp chicken base or chicken bouillon
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 cups italian blend cheese

For the filling:

• ham, cut into small cubes
• green peas
• mozzarella, cut into small cubes

For the batter:

• 3 eggs
• 2 cups italian breadcrumbs
• 2 cups flour

Directions:

1. In a heated pot, add the olive oil and rice. Saute until opaque in color, about 8 -10 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and saute for a few minutes, then add the onions and continue sauteing for 3 minutes.
3. Add one cup of water and continue sauteing until the rice absorbs the water. Add another cup of water until all the water has been used.
4. Add the wine, milk, chicken bouillon, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir and cover with lid. Simmer until the rice is cooked. Allow to cool.
5. Add the eggs, parmesan cheese, and Italian blend cheese. Mix well.
6. Scoop about 1/4 cup of the rice and make a ball.
7. Flatten the rice ball with your palm and add the fillings. Close it up and shape into a ball.
8. Roll the ball into the flour then eggs then bread crumbs. Do this until you finish all the rice.
9. Deep fry until golden brown.
10. Serve while warm with my special marinara sauce (recipe here on site too!)

Marinara Sauce:

• 4 cloves garlic, grated
• 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp basil or 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tbsp parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 3 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp pepper flakes

Directions:

1. In a heated pot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
2. Saute garlic and onions until translucent.
3. Add the basil and parsley, saute for a few minutes.
4. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, lemon juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes.
5. Simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Serve with arancini balls.😋

Note:

You can also add ground beef, or just cheese if you prefer.