Name: Arancini
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cup (625ml) salt-reduced chicken stock; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small (80g) onion, chopped finely; 1 clove garlic, crushed; 1/2 cup (200g) arborio rice; 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine; 1/2 cup (60g) frozen peas; 40 gram ham, chopped finely; 1/2 cup (40g) finely grated parmesan cheese; 100 gram mozzarella cheese; 1 egg, beaten lightly; plain flour; 1 egg, beaten lightly, extra; 1 tablespoon milk; 1 cup (100g) packaged dry breadcrumbs; vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Risotto is an Italian rice-based dish that involves a slow process of introducing stock into Aborio rice – a variety that produces a lovely creamy finish. It works well with so many different flavours from the classic pumpkin or mushroom to chicken, prawns and so much more. Leftover risotto is perfect for making into arancini balls for a tasty snack or party starter.

Those gooey balls of risotto with a crunchy crumb coating are the finger food everyone is searching for at the party.

Looking for a mushroom arancini or more finger foods?

Ingredients

2 1/2 cup (625ml) salt-reduced chicken stock

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small (80g) onion, chopped finely

1 clove garlic, crushed

1/2 cup (200g) arborio rice

1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine

1/2 cup (60g) frozen peas

40 gram ham, chopped finely

1/2 cup (40g) finely grated parmesan cheese

100 gram mozzarella cheese

1 egg, beaten lightly

plain flour

1 egg, beaten lightly, extra

1 tablespoon milk

1 cup (100g) packaged dry breadcrumbs

vegetable oil, for deep-frying

Method

1.Bring the stock to the boil in a medium pan. Reduce the heat to low and keep hot.

2.Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan, add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until the onion is soft but not coloured. Add the rice; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the wine, then cook, stirring, until the liquid has evaporated.

3.Add about 1/3 cup (80ml) of the hot stock; cook, stirring, over a low-medium heat until the liquid is absorbed. Repeat until all the stock is used. Total cooking time will be about 25 minutes.

4.Stir in the peas, ham and salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat, stir in the parmesan cheese. Transfer the risotto to a bowl; cool.

5.Chop the mozzarella into 18 pieces.

6.Stir the egg into the risotto. Roll 2 level tablespoons of risotto into a ball; press a piece of mozzarella into the centre of each ball; roll to enclose. Toss balls in flour, shake away excess. Dip into the combined extra egg and milk, then coat in breadcrumbs.

7.Heat vegetable oil in a deep saucepan; deep-fry the arancini in batches until they are browned and heated through.

8.Drain on absorbent paper. Serve hot with lemon wedges, if desired.

This recipe makes 18 arancini. Arancini, which means “little oranges” in Italian, make an excellent finger food or light lunch with salad. The risotto mixture can be made a day ahead. Arancini can be fried several hours ahead of serving and reheated in a slow oven. Don’t have the oil too hot as the arancini will burn before the cheese is melted inside. After deep-frying, they can be kept warm in a slow oven.
Note

Women's Weekly Food