Il Cucinologo
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Arancini with Venere Rice and Salmon

26/11/2023

Arancini with Venere rice and salmon are a gourmet and modern reinterpretation of classic Sicilian arancini. Venere rice, with its characteristic black color and slightly nutty aroma, pairs well with the delicacy of salmon. It is a dish that blends Sicilian tradition with contemporary influences and ingredients not typical of Italian cuisine. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 250 g Venere rice
  • 500 ml vegetable broth
  • 200 g smoked salmon
  • 100 g pizza mozzarella
  • 50 g butter
  • 1 shallot
  • 50 g grated cheese (Parmesan or Parmigiano)
  • 2 eggs
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Flour as needed
  • Seed oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Chives for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by toasting the Venere rice in a saucepan with a drizzle of oil and the finely chopped shallot. Once the grains are well toasted, add the hot vegetable broth a little at a time, cooking the rice (about 30-35 minutes), as if you were preparing a risotto.

  2. When the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and add the butter and grated cheese. Mix well and let the mixture cool, preferably on a baking tray to speed up the process.

  3. Meanwhile, cut the smoked salmon and mozzarella into small cubes.

  4. Take a portion of the now cold rice, form a sort of hollow and inside place some cubes of salmon and mozzarella. Close the arancino well forming a ball or a cone, depending on the tradition you want to follow.

  5. Coat the arancini first in flour, then in the beaten egg and finally in breadcrumbs, making sure to cover them completely.

  6. Fry the arancini in hot oil (180 °C) until they become golden and crispy.

  7. Drain them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil and serve them hot, garnished with a bit of chopped chives, if desired.

Trivia

Arancini are one of the most famous street foods in Sicily, traditionally filled with ragù, peas, and caciocavallo. The variant with Venere rice and salmon is a modern reinterpretation that plays with different flavors and colors, while maintaining the original spirit of this delicious street food.