Arancini are elegant, crispy bites of warm risotto with melting cheese centres. If desired, they can be further elevated by the addition of a drizzle of white truffle oil when stirring in the Parmesan. For convenience, make the risotto a day ahead.
- Portion size 48 servings
- Credits : Canadian Living Holiday Cookbook: Fall 2009
Ingredients
Coating:
Method
In heatproof bowl, soak mushrooms in 1-1/4 cups (300 mL) boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain, reserving soaking liquid. Finely chop mushrooms and set aside.In saucepan, bring chicken broth, 2-1/2 cups (625 mL) water and reserved mushroom liquid to simmer; keep warm.
In large skillet, melt 2 tbsp (25 mL) of the butter over medium heat; cook mushrooms, onion, salt, thyme and pepper until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in rice to coat.
Stir in wine; cook, stirring, until no liquid remains. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in warm broth, 1/2 cup (125 mL) at a time and adding more when completely absorbed, until rice is creamy and tender, 20 to 22 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and remaining butter. Transfer to shallow dish; let cool. Cover and refrigerate until cold, 2 to 3 hours.
Using damp hands, roll rice mixture by rounded 1 tbsp (15 mL) into balls. Insert Fontina cheese cube into centre of each and roll to enclose cheese.
Coating: Place flour in shallow dish. In second dish, beat egg with 2 tbsp (25 mL) water; place crumbs in third dish. One at a time, roll balls in flour. Dip into egg then roll in crumbs to coat. Place on waxed paper–lined baking sheet. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)
In deep-fryer or large saucepan, heat 3 cups (750 mL) oil until deep-fryer thermometer registers 340 to 350°F (170 to 180°C) or 1-inch (2.5 cm) cube of white bread turns golden in 1 minute.
Deep-fry risotto balls, in batches, until golden brown and heated through, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towel–lined tray. (Make-ahead: Let cool; cover and refrigerate in airtight container for up to 24 hours. Reheat on baking sheet in 425°F/220°C oven until heated through, about 10 minutes.)
Nutritional facts Per piece: about
- Sodium 95 mg
- Protein 2 g
- Calories 79.0
- Total fat 3 g
- Potassium 24 mg
- Cholesterol 11 mg
- Saturated fat 1 g
- Total carbohydrate 11 g
%RDI
- Iron 2.0
- Folate 5.0
- Calcium 2.0
- Vitamin A 1.0
