Arancini (italian Rice Balls)

Total Time: 24 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 4 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups cooked rice (preferably short grain or aborio rice)
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese or 2/3 cup romano cheese
• 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic (or 1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder) (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or 1 -2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 1 -2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 ounces mozzarella cheese (cut into small cubes)
• oil, for deep-frying
• 2 eggs, beaten
• flour, for coating
• 1 cup fine dry breadcrumb

Recipe

• 1 in a bowl lightly beat 2 eggs.
• 2 stir in cooked rice, melted butter, parmesan cheese, garlic (if using) parsley, seasoned salt and pepper.
• 3 cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• 4 roll into 1-1/2-inch balls.
• 5 press a cheese cube into each ball then reshape rice balls.
• 6 place the flour into a small bowl.
• 7 whisk 2 eggs in a small bowl.
• 8 place the dry breadcrumbs in a small bowl.
• 9 dip each ball into flour, then into the egg and then lastly into the breadcrumbs.
• 10 heat oil to 375 degrees, then fry rice balls until golden brown (about 4 minutes).
• 11 drain on paper towels.