Mozzarella-Stuffed Arancini
If you can shape a snowball, then you can make a batch of these arancini (pronounced ah-rahn-CHEE-nee)—oven-baked Italian rice balls—filled with fresh mozzarella.
Serves 8 people
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups instant brown rice
- 4 green onions, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
- 2 cups whole-grain breadcrumbs
- 16 marinated fresh mozzarella balls, drained, oil reserved (1 12-oz. container)
- 1 28-oz. jar marinara sauce
Directions
1. Combine rice, 1 whole green onion, garlic and 3 1/2 cups water a in saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat medium-low, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed and rice is soft and slightly sticky. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, and cool. Remove green onion, and discard.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray. Chop remaining green onions finely. Fold eggs, parsley, cheese and onions into rice. Spread breadcrumbs on a large plate.
3. Place 1/4 cup rice mixture in the palm of a hand. Shape into a tangerine-sized ball around one mozzarella ball. Roll in breadcrumbs, and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining rice, mozzarella and breadcrumbs. Drizzle arancini with reserved oil, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until outsides are crisp and browned.
4. Warm marinara sauce, and ladle into the bottom of a large serving dish. Place arancini on top of sauce, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 380
- Carbohydrate Content: 43 g
- Cholesterol Content: 70 mg
- Fat Content: 17 g
- Fiber Content: 5 g
- Protein Content: 12 g
- Saturated Fat Content: 4 g
- Sodium Content: 458 mg
- Sugar Content: 6 g
