Prosciutto Arancini
These crispy and indulgent Italian rice balls, known as arancini, are a delightful treat bursting with creamy mozzarella and savory prosciutto. With a crispy bread crumb coating and a tender, flavorful rice filling, these arancini make for a perfect appetizer or snack. The process of making these golden beauties is as satisfying as biting into them and enjoying the delicious flavors - a labor of love that is well worth the effort. Serve them warm and watch them disappear quickly!
— Constant Cookbook
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup medium-grain white rice such as Arborio
- 1 Tbs. unsalted butter
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1 whole egg, plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups fine dried bread crumbs
- 3 egg whites
- 2 oz. prosciutto, chopped
- 2 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, chopped
- Olive or canola oil for deep-frying
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the broth to a boil. Stir in the rice, butter and salt. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, 18 to 20 minutes.
- Transfer the rice to a bowl and stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Let cool slightly, until just warm to the touch, then stir in the whole egg and egg yolk. Let cool completely.
- Spread the flour on a dinner plate, and spread the bread crumbs on a separate plate. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat the egg whites until blended.
- Moisten your hands with water. Scoop up a scant 1/4 cup of the rice mixture and place it in the cupped palm of one hand. Flatten out the mixture slightly and place 2 portions of the mozzarella and a little prosciutto (about 1/2 tsp.) in the center.
- Mold the rice over the filling, adding a bit more rice if needed to cover it completely. Shape the rice into a tight ball. Roll the ball in the flour, and then in the egg whites to coat completely. Finally, roll the ball in the bread crumbs and place on a rack set in a baking sheet.
- Continue with the remaining ingredients to make 12 to 13 balls total. Rinse your hands frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to them. Refrigerate the balls for up to 1 hour.
- Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 200°F (400°C). Line a large baking sheet with paper towels and set it next to the stove. Pour the oil to a depth of 3 inches (7.5 cm) into a deep, heavy fry pan and heat to 375°F (190°C) on a deep-frying thermometer. The oil must cover the balls by at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) so they will cook evenly and not burst.
- Using a slotted spoon or wire skimmer, gently lower a few of the rice balls into the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pan. Fry until golden brown and crisp all over, about 2 minutes. Using the slotted spoon, transfer the arancini to the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm. Fry the remaining arancini in the same way, allowing the oil to return to the original frying temperature before adding the next batch.
- Arrange the arancini on a warmed platter and serve immediately, or hold in the warm oven for up to 1 hour before serving. Serves 4 to 6.
- Adapted by the <a href="https://www.williams-sonoma.com/pages/test-kitchen/">Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen</a> from <i>Essentials of Italian</i> by Michele Scicolone (Oxmoor House, 2007).
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