Ham and Cheese Arancini
Yummy, comforting deep-fried rice balls filled with ham and onion, stuffed with melty, gooey cheese! I came up with these tasty little morsels after having something similar at a tapas restaurant in my hometown. Sadly, that restaurant closed its doors, so I was forced to recreate my favorite dish. I have made these with havarti and swiss cheeses instead of the cheddar: all are equally good! NOTE: After reading the review, please note: You definitely want to use rice that is somewhat sticky. Do not use leftover fluffy rice that has had the starch rinsed off as they will not hold together well.
Yummy, comforting deep-fried rice balls filled with ham and onion, stuffed with melty, gooey cheese! I came up with these tasty little morsels after having something similar at a tapas restaurant in my hometown. Sadly, that restaurant closed its doors, so I was forced to recreate my favorite dish. I have made these with havarti and swiss cheeses instead of the cheddar: all are equally good! NOTE: After reading the review, please note: You definitely want to use rice that is somewhat sticky. Do not use leftover fluffy rice that has had the starch rinsed off as they will not hold together well.
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup onion minced
- oil for deep-frying
- 2 1/2 cups cooked rice
- 1/4-1/2 cup ham finely diced
- 1/3 cup butter melted, plus
- 1 tablespoon butter (for sauteing onions)
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese grated or 2/3 cup romano cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped or 1 -2 teaspoon dried
- 1/2-1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 3 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes
- 1 cup flour for coating
- 1 cup dry breadcrumbs or 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Carbohydrate 135.975556709673 g
- Cholesterol 196.622500180051 mg
- Fat 56.2964067199458 g
- Fiber 0.559125016689301 g
- Protein 44.5436166979279 g
- Saturated Fat 34.5006983661936 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -6 serving(s) (881g)
- Sodium 1449.29058400497 mg
- Sugar 135.416431692983 g
- Trans Fat 3.22246458645278 g
- Calories 1219 calories
Step-by-step
- Saute onion in 1 T butter over medium heat until translucent and beginning to brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- In a bowl lightly beat 2 eggs. Stir in cooked rice, ham, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, sauteed onion, seasoned salt, garlic salt, parsley and pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Roll into 1-1/2-inch balls and press a cheese cube into each ball, reshaping around the cheese. (I have used havarti and swiss in place of the cheddar with fantastic results!).
- Place the flour into a small bowl.
- Whisk 2 eggs in a second small bowl.
- Place the dry breadcrumbs in a third small bowl.
- Dip each ball into flour, then into the egg and then into the breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil to 375 degrees, then fry rice balls until golden brown (about 4 minutes).
- You can also shallow fry them in oil, turning to brown.
- Drain on paper towels and enjoy! They are nice dipped in french onion dip, ranch dip or all on their own.
My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: Recreating a Lost Tapas Treasure
It all started with a simple, yet unforgettable, culinary experience. Tucked away in a charming tapas restaurant in my hometown was a dish that quickly became a favorite: perfectly golden-brown rice balls, bursting with savory ham and oozing with melted cheese. The flavors were a symphony of textures and tastes – crisp exterior giving way to a warm, creamy interior. It was pure culinary bliss. Sadly, that little restaurant, a haven for delicious surprises, closed its doors, leaving a void in my heart and a longing for those unforgettable rice balls.
Being the resourceful (and perhaps slightly obsessive) home cook that I am, I knew I couldn't simply let this culinary gem fade into memory. The challenge was on! I embarked on a mission to recreate the magic, to recapture those delightful flavors and textures in my own kitchen. My journey wasn't without its trials and tribulations, of course. Early attempts resulted in rice balls that crumbled, or were too dense, or lacked that perfect crispy exterior. There was much experimentation, much tasting, and a fair share of kitchen mishaps before I finally cracked the code.
The key, I discovered, was in the rice. Using a slightly sticky rice variety was absolutely essential. Leftover fluffy rice, the kind where you’ve rinsed off the excess starch, simply won’t work; they’ll fall apart before you even get them in the fryer. I also experimented with different types of cheese; the original version had a sharp cheddar, but I discovered that havarti and Swiss cheeses were equally delicious options, offering a smoother, more nuanced flavor profile. The combination of the creamy cheese, savory ham, and perfectly seasoned rice is simply divine.
Beyond the ingredients, the technique itself is surprisingly straightforward. It involves simple steps: sautéing onions until they're perfectly caramelized, preparing a flavorful rice mixture, carefully shaping the rice into balls, and then the satisfying process of breading and frying. It's a process that allows for a degree of creative freedom; you can easily adapt it to your personal preferences. For instance, the addition of different herbs or spices could easily take these arancini in a different, equally delicious direction.
The satisfying crunch of the breading gives way to a warm, savory center, a delightful contrast of textures. The combination of flavors is unforgettable – the salty ham, the creamy cheese, the aromatic herbs – all beautifully balanced by the rice. Each bite is a journey for the senses, a culinary adventure packed into a bite-sized ball of deliciousness.
These arancini aren't just a meal; they're an experience. They're perfect for a casual get-together, a cozy night in, or even as a special treat for yourself. They're also incredibly versatile – you can serve them as a side dish or a main course. They're even delightful dipped in a flavorful sauce such as french onion dip or ranch. Regardless of how you choose to enjoy them, they’re sure to impress. They’re a testament to the power of culinary persistence and the joy of recreating a favorite dish. And each time I make them, I'm transported back to that small tapas restaurant, reliving the delicious memory while adding my own personal touch to this culinary masterpiece.
And that, my friends, is the story behind these Ham and Cheese Arancini – a tale of culinary loss, resourceful reinvention, and the simple pleasure of a perfectly fried rice ball.
