Sicilian Arancini Delight
Experience the authentic flavors of Sicily with these delightful Arancini, or rice balls, that are bursting with savory goodness. This special recipe was passed down from my grandmother, who lovingly prepared them for Saturday night suppers. Each crispy ball is filled with a rich mixture of beef, chicken livers, and mushrooms, creating a perfect harmony of textures and tastes. Whether served as an appetizer at gatherings or a comforting dish for dinner, these Arancini are sure to bring everyone together and evoke the warmth of family traditions.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rice
1 (cup, washed)
Boiling Water
4 (cups, salted)
Chopped Beef
1/4 (lb)
Chicken Livers
2 (whole)
Olive Oil
2 (tablespoons, for cooking and 1 cup for frying)
Garlic
1 (clove, minced)
Onion
1/2 (small, minced)
Mushroom
1/4 (lb, sliced)
Tomato Paste
2 (tablespoons)
Water
1 (cup, warm)
Salt
1/4 (teaspoon)
Pepper
1/4 (teaspoon)
Butter
1/2 (cup)
Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese
3 (tablespoons)
Egg Yolks
2 (large)
Egg
1 (lightly beaten)
Breadcrumbs
1 (cup)
Instructions
1
Begin by washing the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice in 4 cups of salted boiling water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped beef, chicken livers, minced garlic, and onion. Sauté gently until the meat is browned and the onions are translucent.
3
Stir in the sliced mushrooms and continue to cook for an additional minute, letting their flavors meld together.
4
Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and pour in 1 cup of warm water. Let this mixture simmer for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Once the rice is cooked and drained, mix in 1/2 cup of butter and 3 tablespoons of grated cheese (Parmesan or Romano) while the rice is still warm. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding 2 egg yolks. Stir in the tomato gravy from the saucepan, reserving the meat and mushroom mixture for filling.
6
Combine the rice mixture well. With wet hands, form small balls of rice and create a cavity in each. Place a spoonful of the meat and mushroom mixture inside each ball, then close it securely.
7
Dip each rice ball into the beaten egg, ensuring it's entirely coated, then roll in breadcrumbs until well-covered.
8
In a heavy skillet, heat 1 cup of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the rice balls to the skillet. Fry them until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
9
Serve the Arancini hot, either plain or with additional tomato gravy for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sicilian Arancini Delight?
Sicilian Arancini Delight are authentic Sicilian rice balls filled with a savory mixture of beef, chicken livers, and mushrooms, then breaded and fried until crispy.
What are the key ingredients in the filling?
The rich filling contains chopped beef, chicken livers, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, and onion simmered in a tomato paste sauce.
How do I prepare the rice for Arancini?
Wash 1 cup of rice until the water runs clear, then cook it in 4 cups of salted boiling water for 15-20 minutes until tender.
What is mixed into the rice after it is cooked?
Once drained and warm, the rice is mixed with 1/2 cup of butter, 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, and 2 egg yolks.
How is the meat sauce or gravy prepared?
Sauté beef, chicken livers, garlic, and onion in olive oil, then add mushrooms, tomato paste, and warm water. Simmer for 30 minutes to thicken.
What kind of cheese is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using either grated Parmesan or Romano cheese for the rice mixture.
How do I form the arancini balls?
With wet hands, form small balls of the rice mixture, create a cavity, insert a spoonful of meat and mushroom filling, and close the ball securely.
What is the coating for the rice balls?
Each rice ball is dipped in a lightly beaten egg and then rolled in breadcrumbs until completely covered.
How are the Arancini cooked?
They are fried in a heavy skillet with 1 cup of hot olive oil until golden brown and crispy on all sides, usually 3-4 minutes per side.
Can I serve Arancini with a dipping sauce?
Yes, they can be served plain or accompanied by additional tomato gravy for dipping.
What meats are specifically used in this traditional version?
This grandmother's recipe specifically uses 1/4 lb of chopped beef and 2 whole chicken livers.
How much tomato paste is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to be simmered with the meat and mushrooms.
Why should I wash the rice before cooking?
Washing the rice under cold water until it runs clear helps remove excess starch, ensuring the proper texture for the rice balls.
What seasonings are used in the meat mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, or to taste.
How many egg yolks are added to the rice?
Two large egg yolks are stirred into the rice mixture after it has cooled slightly.
Is there onion in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 of a small minced onion is sautéed with the meat filling.
How much butter is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of butter to be mixed into the warm rice.
What is the role of the tomato gravy in the rice?
A portion of the tomato gravy from the saucepan is stirred directly into the rice mixture for flavor and color before forming the balls.
How much oil is needed for frying?
You will need 1 cup of olive oil for frying the rice balls in a heavy skillet.
How many mushrooms should I prepare?
You need 1/4 lb of sliced mushrooms for the savory filling.
What is the texture of the finished Arancini?
The finished dish features a crispy, golden-brown exterior with a soft rice and savory meat center.
Is garlic used in the filling?
Yes, one clove of minced garlic is sautéed with the beef and onions.
How much warm water is added to the sauce?
One cup of warm water is added to the tomato paste and meat mixture to create the simmered gravy.
Should the rice be warm or cold when adding egg yolks?
The rice should be allowed to cool slightly after mixing with butter and cheese before adding the egg yolks to prevent them from scrambling.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the meat?
Two tablespoons of olive oil are used for the initial sautéing of the beef, livers, and aromatics.
What size should the rice balls be?
The recipe suggests forming small balls of rice, which are ideal for appetizers or snacks.
How long does it take to cook the rice?
The rice typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to become tender in boiling water.
What makes this recipe special?
This recipe is a family tradition passed down from a grandmother who prepared them for Saturday night suppers.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 specific ingredients used to create these Sicilian Arancini.
When should the arancini be served?
They should be served hot to enjoy the contrast between the crispy shell and the savory filling.