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–+ servings

Mozzarella Arancini

Course: Starter
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 People

Ingredients

For the Risotto

  • 1 White onion finely diced
  • 2 clove Garlic minced or grated
  • 240 g Risotto rice
  • 800 ml Vegetable stock OR 800 ml Chicken stock
  • 80 g Parmesan grated
  • 50 g Butter
  • 125 ml White wine
  • 1 Lemon zest
  • 2 g Fresh thyme 1 sprig, OR 5 g Fresh Oregano, 1 tbsp, chopped

For the Filling

  • 125 g Mozzarella cut into 12 pieces
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Cracked black pepper to taste

To Coat

  • 100 g Plain flour
  • 2 Medium Egg beaten
  • 200 g Panko breadcrumbs

For Frying

  • Vegetable oil

Method

For the Risotto

  • Finely dice the White onion, mince the Garlic and zest the Lemon.
  • Heat a large pan over medium heat and melt half of the Butter.
  • Add the White onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in the Garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the Risotto rice and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously until lightly toasted.
  • Pour in the White wine and cook until almost fully reduced.
  • Gradually add the Vegetable stock or Chicken stock, one ladle at a time, stirring regularly and allowing each addition to absorb before adding the next.
  • Continue until the rice is tender with a slight bite, approximately 20 minutes.
  • Stir through the remaining Butter, Parmesan, Lemon zest and Thyme or Fresh Oregano.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning with Sea salt and Cracked black pepper if required.
  • Spread the risotto onto a tray to cool completely, then refrigerate until cold.

For the Arancini

  • Season the Mozzarella lightly with Sea salt and Cracked black pepper.
  • Divide the chilled risotto into 12 equal portions.
  • Place a piece of Mozzarella in the centre of each portion and shape into a ball, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed.
  • Coat each ball in the Plain flour, then the beaten Egg, then the Panko breadcrumbs.
  • Chill for 20 minutes if time allows.

To Cook

  • Deep Fry
  • Heat the Vegetable oil to 180°C.
  • Fry the arancini in batches for 7–8 minutes until golden brown and heated through.
  • Drain on kitchen paper.