Ham and Cheese Arancini - Vincenzo's Plate
INGREDIENTS
For Risotto
¼ onion (chopped into pieces)
4-5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
A few pinches of table salt
Vegetable stock
Saffron Leaves
500gr – 17.06 oz Arborio Rice
100gr – 3.53 oz of Butter
Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Cheese
For Arancini Balls Filling and Coating
Fresh Mozzarella cut into cubes
Provolone cut into cubes
Fresh breadcrumbs in a wide plate
Small bowl of water for your hands
4 eggs
Vegetable oil (enough for frying)
METHOD
Prepararing the Rice:
1. Put the pot on the stove at a medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
2. Add the chopped onion and stir it into the oil. Leave it to become golden brown for 2-3 minutes and add the arborio rice
3. Toast the rice for a few minute then add vegetable stock until you cover the rice
4. Make sure you keep an eye on the rice and keep adding the stock when needed as you don’t want the rice to get dry.The rice should cook for around 15 minutes (always read cooking time on the packet)
5. When the risotto is ready add the butter, the grated parmesan and stir very very well until butter melts
6. Spread out the risotto on a wooden board or tray and let it cool down faster. You cannot make the arancini ham and cheese until the rice is cold
7. Cut the mozzarella, provolone, and ham into small cubes
8. Crack four eggs into a bowl and beat them well
9. Prepare the breadcrumbs by putting them into a bowl and put some water into another bowl leaving them side by side
10. Damp your hands in water and pick up a portion of the rice, flattening it slightly into your palm
11. Add a spoonful of ham, provolone and mozzarella in the middle and then more rice on top
12. Cup your hands around it making it into a ball and moving it around to make sure it is well rounded and that the ingredients in the centre are covered well
Remember you can make these large, medium or small, depending on your preference and the occasion.
13. Once you have formed the balls, dip them one at a time into the egg, making sure you cover it all over and then drop it into the bowl of breadcrumbs, coating it well.
14. Repeat the above for all of your arancini ham and cheese and then prepare your oil by pouring it into a pan and heating it up.
Frying the Arancini rice balls
1. You can put the arancini balls into the oil when it reaches a temperature of between 150 degrees celsius.
2. Fry 1 or 2 arancini ham and cheese at a time (depending on the size of your pot/fryer) and they should sizzle as they cook. You should turn them slightly while they are frying to make sure they are cooking right through and the heat is distributed evenly.
HOW TO SERVE
Make sure you cook the arancini ham and cheese just as you are ready to serve them as they are best enjoyed hot with the provolone and mozzarella melted right through.
You can serve them on their own or with a drizzle of sugo on top, placing them side by side on a chopping board with a few basil leaves to add a splash of color.