Easy homemade arancini balls

These delicious morsels are perfect to serve as an appetiser or side to a main dish (chicken or beef). They’re great finger foods and snacks to kick off a dinner party, and make for delicious mouthfuls of flavour and texture.

This recipe will teach you how to make a simple, crunchy plate of arancini, but feel free to add more flavour to it as you wish! For instance, a healthy infusion of truffle oil makes for a great, uniquely flavoured dish. Many restaurants also serve their arancini with a side of napoletana sauce, or a healthy dash of herbs and cheese.

Ingredients

• 500g medium-grain rice – washed
• 3 eggs beaten
• 2 cups parmesan cheese finely grated
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh, finely chopped parsley
• Breadcrumbs to coat
• Vegetable oil

Method

1. Wash and boil the rice until tender, strain and allow to cool completely.
2. Add beaten eggs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste and a good handful of finely chopped parmesan cheese.
3. Mix through the entire mixture.
4. Next, roll the rice into balls, coat in breadcrumbs and set onto a flat plate or tray ready for frying.
5. Once you have shaped all the balls, heat the oil in your pan and when it is hot, gently drop the balls into the pan for cooking.
6. Turn once (gently with a fork) for even colouring on both sides.
7. When the arancini balls are a gorgeous golden brown, remove gently from the oil and place onto a flat tray with some kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.
8. These can be served hot, or you can allow to cool.