Rice And Meat Balls

Rice Balls. 

Otherwise know as Arancini.

According to wikipedia: 

Arancini are stuffed rice balls that are coated with breadcrumbs, and fried. Arancini are usually filled with ragù (meat sauce), tomato sauce, mozzarella, and/or peas. There are a number of local variants that differ in fillings and shape. The name derives from their shape and color, which is reminiscent of an orange (the Italian word for orange is arancia, and arancina means “little orange”), although in eastern Sicily, arancini have a more conical shape.

I found this recipe for rice balls years ago, when I first started learning how to cook. I wanted an all-in-one finger food that would be great for my kids when they were younger, so I tweaked the recipe to make it work for us. Turns out, adding the meat to these yummy rice balls made filling meal that became a hit in our home.

Comfort food that fits right in your fingertips, and is a great little meal for families with little hands. 

You will need:

• 1lb Ground Beef (or Turkey)
• ½ Cup Onions, Diced
• ½Teaspoon Salt
• ½ Tablespoon Mined Garlic
• 1 Cup Marinara Sauce
• ½ Cup Frozen Peas (thawed)
• 2 Cups Cooked Rice, Cooled (I cooked in chicken broth for added flavor)
• ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup Flour 
• 1 Cup Breadcrumbs 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

Cook you rice in chicken broth ahead of time so that you have enough time for your rice to cool down.

Cook meat, onions, garlic, salt, then drain.

Add peas and marinara sauce and simmer for about 5-7 minutes, until thickened.

Let it cool.

Once the meat mixture has cool down add your rice to it, and combine the ingredients.

Grab your cookie sheet, and lay some parchment paper down. Use your hands to form balls, about 1/4 cup each ball.

Place on the cookie sheet, and when you are done making all of the balls, place the cookie sheet into the fridge for about an hour or until firm.

While your balls are in the fridge, grab 3 small bowls.

Beaten the two eggs in one bowl. Place the breadcrumbs and flour separately into the other 2 bowls. 

Once the balls are firm, roll them into the flour, dip them in the egg, and  then the breadcrumbs. 

Cook in hot oil (at about 350), and let it fry until golden brown.

They are good as they are, but you can have some marinara sauce on the side for dipping. 

Mrs B

Rice And Meat Balls

Meat and rice rolled into a ball for easy eating.

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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey
• ½ Cup Onions Diced
• ½ Teaspoon Salt
• ½ Tablespoon Mined Garlic
• 1 Cup Marinara Sauce
• ½ Cup Frozen Peas thawed
• 2 Cups Cooked Rice Cooled (I cooked in chicken broth for added flavor )
• ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup Flour
• 1 Cup Breadcrumbs
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Cook you rice in chicken broth ahead of time so that you have enough time for your rice to cool down.
2. Cook your meat, onions, garlic, salt, then drain.
3. Add peas and marinara sauce and simmer for about 5-7 minutes, until thickened.
4. Let it cool.
5. Once the meat mixture has cool down add your rice to it, and combine the ingredients.
6. Grab your cookie sheet, and lay some parchment paper down. Use your hands to form balls, about 1/4 cup each ball.
7. Place the balls on the cookie sheet, and when you are done making all of the balls, place them into the fridge for about an hour or until firm.
8. While your balls are in the fridge, grab 3 small bowls.
9. Beaten the two eggs in one bowl. Place the breadcrumbs and flour separately into the other 2 bowls.
10. Once the balls are firm, roll them into the flour, dip them into the beaten eggs, and then the breadcrumbs.
11. Cook in hot oil (at about 350), and let it fry until golden brown.

Notes

Try using other vegetables like corn or green beans.
Whole Wheat Flour works well.

Adapted from Allrecipes.com

A family favorite, these rice balls are perfect finger foods for movie night with the family!

Have you had rice balls before?