Il Cucinologo
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Mushroom Arancini

26/11/2023

Mushroom arancini are a delicious variant of classic Sicilian arancini. Here is the recipe to prepare mushroom arancini with an authentically Italian flavor.

Ingredients

  • 300 g risotto rice (such as Arborio or Carnaroli)
  • 1 liter vegetable broth
  • 200 g mushrooms (porcini or button)
  • 1 small onion
  • 100 ml white wine
  • 50 g butter
  • 50 g grated Parmesan
  • 2 eggs
  • 100 g mozzarella
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Oil for frying as needed
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Chopped parsley as needed
  • Flour as needed

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing a basic risotto: finely chop the onion and sauté it in a pan with half the butter. Add the rice and toast for a few minutes. Deglaze with the white wine and let it evaporate.
  2. Add the hot vegetable broth a little at a time, stirring continuously until the rice is cooked but still al dente. Turn off the heat, add the grated Parmesan and remaining butter, stir and let cool completely.
  3. Meanwhile, clean the mushrooms and cut them into pieces. In a pan, cook the mushrooms with a clove of garlic and a drizzle of oil. When golden, add the chopped parsley, season with salt and pepper, and set aside to cool.
  4. Once the risotto is cold, add one egg to the risotto and mix well to combine.
  5. To form the arancini, take a handful of rice, flatten it in your hand and place some mushrooms and a cube of mozzarella in the center.
  6. Close the arancino into a round or slightly oval shape, ensuring the filling is completely covered by the rice.
  7. Coat the arancini first in flour, then in the remaining beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs.
  8. Fry the arancini in hot oil until golden on all sides.
  9. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Trivia

Arancini, also called arancine in parts of Italy where the term is feminine, are a famous Sicilian street food with ancient origins. Their shape and golden color once cooked resemble small oranges, from which they take their name. Arancini are so beloved that every region and sometimes every family has its own personal variant, which can vary in the filling and sometimes in the shape.

To accompany the arancini, a good chilled Sicilian white wine would be the ideal complement. Buon appetito!