Il Cucinologo
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Arancini with Herb Risotto and Goat Cheese

26/11/2023

Arancini are a Sicilian specialty that we can enrich with herb risotto and goat cheese to give a more herbal and flavorful touch. Here is a recipe to prepare them:

Ingredients

  • 200 g risotto rice (e.g., Arborio, Carnaroli)
  • 500 ml vegetable broth
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 50 ml white wine
  • 1 bunch of fresh herbs (basil, parsley, chives, thyme, etc.), finely chopped
  • 100 g fresh goat cheese or caprino
  • 50 g butter
  • 50 g grated Parmesan
  • 2 eggs
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Flour as needed
  • Oil for frying (preferably olive oil for a more Italian flavor)
  • Salt and pepper as needed

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the risotto: in a heavy-bottomed pot, sauté the chopped onion in half the butter until it becomes translucent.
  2. Add the rice and toast it for a few minutes, then deglaze with the white wine.
  3. Once the wine has evaporated, begin adding the vegetable broth one ladle at a time, waiting for the liquid to be absorbed before adding the next. Stir frequently.
  4. Halfway through cooking, add the chopped herbs and continue cooking the risotto until it is al dente.
  5. Remove from the heat and stir in the goat cheese, Parmesan, remaining butter, salt, and pepper. Mix well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
  6. Spread the risotto on a tray and let it cool completely.
  7. Once cooled, form balls with the risotto, coat them first in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs, making sure they are well covered.
  8. Heat the oil in a deep pan and fry the arancini until golden and crispy.
  9. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Serve hot, perhaps accompanied by a sauce of your choice, such as a slightly spicy tomato sauce or an aromatic green sauce.

Trivia

The name “arancini” comes from the shape and color of these delicious fried bites, which resemble small oranges. Traditionally, arancini can be filled in various ways, with Bolognese sauce, peas, and mozzarella. The variation with herb risotto and goat cheese is not traditional, but it is a creative way to experiment with new flavors while keeping the spirit of the original recipe.