Arancini Balls with Peas

INGREDIENTS      

• 8 cups pre-made chilled risotto
• 4 oz. fontina cheese cut into small ½ inch chunks
• ¾ cup thawed peas
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 whisked large eggs
• 2 cups bread crumbs
• sea salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups Mariana sauce
• canola oil for frying   

DIRECTIONS   

1. Heat some canola oil in a medium-size pot over medium heat to 350°F.
2. Take about 3-4 tablespoons of cold risotto in your hand and flatten it out a bit.
3. Next, add about 3-4 chunks of cheese and 8-10 peas.
4. Take another 2-3 tablespoons of cold risotto and cover the cheese and peas and then form into a ball using both hands. Repeat until all of the ingredients have been used.
5. In a medium-size pan mix together the flour, salt, and pepper and set aside. In a separate medium-size pan mix together the whisked eggs, salt, and pepper and set aside. In another separate medium-size pan mix together the breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper and set aside.

To bread, the arancini:

1. Place one of the balls into the seasoned flour and move around until completely coated.
2. Add it to the seasoned egg mixture and dredge until coated. Lastly, add it to the seasoned breadcrumbs and move around until the arancini ball is completely coated in breadcrumbs. Set aside and repeat until all the arancini balls have been breaded.
3. Place a few of the arancini balls into the hot oil and cook for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese has melted in the center. Cook in batches so they don’t clump together and drain on a paper towel.
4. Serve alongside Mariana sauce.

Recipe Author: Billy Parisi