Mozzarella Filled Rice Risotto Balls Recipes

RICE BALLS WITH BOLOGNESE SAUCE, PEAS, MOZZARELLA AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• For the meat sauce: Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Remove the ground beef to a plate with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add the carrots, celery, onion and tomato paste to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. Then, add the cooked ground beef and red wine. Cook for another 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock and rosemary, bring to a simmer until the sauce has reduced, about 45 minutes. Fold in the peas.
• For the tomato sauce: Blend the tomatoes in a blender or food processor. Add the tomatoes and garlic to a large pot. Tie the basil and parsley together in a bundle using kitchen string and add to the pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt. Remove the herb bouquet.
• For the breadcrumb mixture: Mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and parsley in a bowl.
• For the Arborio rice balls: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Simmer the rice, covered, until the liquid has evaporated and the rice is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork. Spread the rice out on a sheet tray to cool, until it is just slightly warm.
• Put the cooled rice into a large bowl. Fold the eggs and the Locatelli cheese into the rice, being careful not to overwork and damage the rice.
• Form some of the rice into a "cup" shape. Holding it in one hand, put some of the meat sauce inside the cup. Add some of the ricotta and fresh mozzarella, and a little more meat sauce. Make a second "cup" of rice and press it together with the filled cup. The rice ball should be about the size of a baseball. Continue with the remaining rice and filling.
• Fill a heavy-bottomed saucepan with 6 inches of peanut oil and place over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Roll the rice balls in the breadcrumb mixture. Deep-fry until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Spoon the tomato sauce on the bottom of each plate. Place a rice ball in the center of the dish. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and parsley.

RICE BALLS STUFFED WITH MOZZARELLA AND BEEF (SUPPLì AL TELEFONO)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat olive oil and add onion. Sauté until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. Add beef and sauté until browned. Add tomatoes and season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Add rice and simmer, stirring constantly, until mixture is very thick and rice has no crunch but is still firm, about 15 minutes. If pan becomes dry during cooking, add more broth as needed. Remove from heat and stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano. Spread in a flat container or pan and allow to cool. Rice may be covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Once rice has cooled, roughly divide it into 12 to 14 mounds. Line up the flour, eggs and bread crumbs in three shallow bowls. Scoop about two-thirds of a mound of rice and hold it in your hand. Press a cube of mozzarella into middle, top with remaining third of mound, and shape rice around it to form a ball, making sure mozzarella is securely closed in center. Roll rice ball in flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs; set aside.
• Fill a large skillet with about 1 inch of oil. Place over medium heat and allow to become very hot but not smoking. Add all the rice balls and allow to sit until golden brown underneath, 1 to 2 minutes, then turn to brown other sides. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.