Mushroom Arancini

Mushroom Arancini are delightful Italian-inspired rice balls filled with savory mushrooms and cheese, coated in crispy breadcrumbs, making them a perfect appetizer. These Halal-friendly bites are sure to impress your guests with their rich flavors and satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

• Arborio rice - 150 grams
• Vegetable broth - 500 ml
• Fresh mushrooms (button or cremini) - 100 grams, finely chopped
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Parmesan cheese (or Halal cheese) - 50 grams, grated
• Mozzarella cheese - 50 grams, diced
• Egg - 1 large
• All-purpose flour - 50 grams
• Breadcrumbs - 100 grams
• Olive oil - for frying
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional)

Steps

1. In a saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a simmer and add the Arborio rice. Cook for about 18-20 minutes until the rice is al dente and has absorbed most of the broth. Stir occasionally.
2. In a separate skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent.
3. Add the finely chopped mushrooms to the skillet and cook until they release their moisture and become tender. Season with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Once the rice is cooked, mix in the sautéed mushroom mixture, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley (if using). Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
5. Once cooled, add the egg to the rice mixture and combine thoroughly. Form the mixture into balls, about the size of a golf ball, and insert a small cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of each ball.
6. Set up a breading station: Place the flour in one bowl, the beaten egg in another, and the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
7. Roll each rice ball first in the flour, then dip in the egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Repeat until all arancini are breaded.
8. In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat enough olive oil to submerge the arancini (about 5 cm deep) over medium heat. Fry the arancini in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
9. Remove the arancini with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants and can help boost the immune system.
• Arborio rice provides energy and is a good source of carbohydrates, making it a filling appetizer.

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