Stuffed Rice Balls Roman-Style

Recipe by: Mario Batali | from Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes to Cook at Home

Cookstr

Course: Hot Appetizer, Tapas/Small Plates

Total Time: Under 2 Hours

Skill Level: Moderate

Cost: Moderate

Fry shops in Rome and Napoli are like candy shops to a childish food freak like me. There is nothing in these shops that I would not try: everything from mini eggplant parms to savory fried panzerotti to mini calzones filled with molten sheep’s milk ricotta. These suppli’ have a cult that is all their own; you will find us strutting down the streets of the Eternal City, stretching strings of mozzarella from our hands to our gluttonous mouths.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup dried porcini
1 cup hot water
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus 4 cups for deep-frying
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 spanish onion, cut into ¼-inch dice
2 ounces prosciutto di parma, cut into ¼-inch dice
1 cup arborio rice
2 large eggs, beaten
¼ cup chopped italian parsley
2/3 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano
5 ounces mozzarella, cut into ¼-inch dice
1¾ cups dried bread crumbs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a small bowl, soak the mushrooms in the hot water for 30 minutes.

2. Lift out the mushrooms, reserving the liquid, and finely chop. Strain the soaking liquid through a fine sieve into another small bowl and set aside.

3. In a medium saucepan, heat the 3 tablespoons olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion and prosciutto and cook until the onion is softened, about 7 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring until opaque, about 3 minutes. Add 2 cups hot water and the mushroom water, bring to a boil, and cook uncovered, until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Turn the rice out into a bowl, and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Stir the eggs, parsley, and Parmigiano into the rice.

4. For the filling, mix the chopped porcini and the mozzarella cubes together in a bowl.

5. Using a tablespoon, make egg-shaped balls of the rice mixture; you should have 12 to 14. Use your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each, insert 1 teaspoon of the filling, and use your palms to round the ball so that the filling is completely enclosed.

6. In a large deep pot, heat the 4 cups olive oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 370°F. Roll each ball in the bread crumbs so that it is completely coated, and set on a plate. Working in batches, fry the balls in the hot oil until golden brown, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain, and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature (do not refrigerate).

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information includes 1/8 teaspoon of added salt per serving.

Calories 532kcal (27%)

Calcium 322mg (32%)

Vitamin C 5mg (8%)

Vitamin A 150mcg RAE (5%)

Potassium 278mg

Magnesium 42mg

Protein 21g

Sugar 3g

Fiber 3g