Wild Rice Arancini Bites
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Category
Recipes
Serves 6
Wild rice can be served on its own, hot or cold, or blended with other types of rice. As for using leftover rice, I have an incredible Italian appetizer recipe, incorporating it. These delicious Italian rice balls are made with cooked wild rice, ground meat, Fontina cheese, and peas. May be served as an appetizer, for a cocktail party, or as a snack. Serve with a bowl of marinara for dipping.
INGREDIENTS: 2 cups wild rice, cooked 4oz Fontina cheese, grated 1¼ cups tomato sauce (marinara) 2 meatballs, cooked and ground (optional) ½ cup frozen peas, thawed (optional) 1½ cups Italian style breadcrumbs ½ cup flour 2 eggs 3 tbsp half and half Canola oil for frying Salt and pepper to taste
PREPARATION:
Prepare the filling. In a large bowl, mix together rice, cheese, ¼ cup marinara, and meatballs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. Take out three small bowls and a baking sheet. Place the breadcrumbs in the first bowl, flour in the second bowl, and mix together eggs, half and half, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
Make the rice balls. Using wet hands, form a small ball of the rice mixture, place some peas in the middle, and close the rice around it with your hands. Roll rice ball in the flour, dip in the egg mixture, dredge in the breadcrumbs, then place on a cookie sheet. Repeat to finish. You should have about a dozen rice balls. Refrigerate rice balls for fifteen minutes to set them.
Deep fry the rice balls. Heat oil in 3-5 qt saucepan, leaving a few inches at the top of your pot to prevent oil from bubbling over when the rice balls are added. Fry three rice balls at a time - to not overcrowd the pot. Once golden brown, remove with a slotted spoon and drain them on absorbent paper. When you have finished frying all your arancini, season them with salt and pepper. Serve them piping hot with a bowl of marinara for dipping.
To make ahead. Cool arancini completely and store in Tupperware in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°. Place arancini on baking sheet, heat them through in the oven for 5-8 minutes.
