Arancini

Ingredients

Preparation

Filling

1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion, celery, and carrot until translucent. Add the meat sauce and season with salt and white pepper to taste.
2. Once the mixture begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes. Add the peas. Let the filling cool in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Rice

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat. Add the rice and stir until evenly coated.
2. Add half of the chicken broth, stirring continually. Once absorbed, gradually add more, still stirring continually. Once all the broth has been absorbed, add the Parmesan and pepper. The rice should be tender, but still al dente.
3. Spread the rice onto a baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to chill, at least 2 hours. You should be able to form a ball with the rice once cooled properly.

Assembly

1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, flour, salt, and pepper.
2. Take a handful of cooled rice and cup it to form a ball with an indentation in the middle. Add about 1 tbsp of the cooled meat filling and 1 mozzarella cube in the indentation. Take another small handful of rice and finish forming the rice ball. When all rice balls are formed, dip each into the flour mixture. Once evenly coated, roll them in the egg, then the plain breadcrumbs.
3. Fry the arancini in a deep fryer over medium to high heat, until golden brown.
4. Drain on paper towels, then arrange on a platter and serve with marinara or pizza sauce, if desired. Buon appetito!