Ingredients
- Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
- 2 large eggs, beaten to blend
- 2 cups Risotto with Mushrooms and Peas, recipe follows, cooled
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 1/2 cups dried Italian-style bread crumbs
- 2 ounces mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- Salt
Directions
Pour enough oil in a heavy large saucepan to reach the depth of 3 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F.
Stir the eggs, risotto, Parmesan, and 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs in a large bowl to combine. Place the remaining breadcrumbs in a medium bowl. Using about 2 tablespoons of the risotto mixture for each, form the risotto mixture into 1 3/4-inch-diameter balls. Insert 1 cube of mozzarella into the center of each ball. Roll the balls in the bread crumbs to coat.
Working in batches, add the rice balls to the hot ail and cook until brown and heated through, turning them as necessary, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the rice balls to paper towels to drain. Season with salt. Let rest 2 minutes. Serve hot.
Mushroom Risotto with Peas:
- 8 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
- 1/2-ounce dried porcini mushrooms
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups finely chopped onions
- 10 ounces white mushrooms, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice or short-grain white rice
- 2/3 cup dry white wine
- 3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional
Bring the broth to a simmer in a heavy medium saucepan. Add the porcini mushrooms. Set aside until the mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes. Keep the broth warm over very low heat.
Melt the butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 8 minutes. Add the white mushrooms and garlic. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the porcini mushrooms to a cutting board. Finely chop the mushrooms and add to the saucepan. Saute until the mushrooms are tender and the juices evaporate, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and let it toast for a few minutes. Add the wine; cook until the liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of hot broth; simmer over medium-low heat until the liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook until the rice is just tender and the mixture is creamy, adding more broth by cupfuls and stirring often, about 28 minutes (the rice will absorb 6 to 8 cups of broth). Stir in the peas. Mix in the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour



















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By lwntrtn
Austin, TX
on April 15, 2011
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Great appetizer recipe. I left the mushrooms out and refrigerated the risotto overnight. I used all the risotto to make the balls adjusting the breadcrumbs (I used Panko with Italian seasoning added, egg and Parmesan.This made about 45 balls. I formed them into balls and refrigerated them again before proceeding with breading and frying them. They do freeze beautifully - just reheat at 350 about 15 minutes. Loved the idea another reviewer had of using butternut squash risotto. Can't wait to try that! Any risotto recipe would work, this technique is terrific.
By dandreotti
Blaine, MN
on February 13, 2011
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I have made these many times, with all different types of risotto. All are wonderful! My husband and 10 year old daughter love them! I have used different types of cheeses, whatever I have handy is used. These freeze wonderfully! I make large batches of the risotto and make the balls the next day. I do think letting a night go by makes it easier to make the balls. I then freeze the ones we don't need with wax paper separating the layers so I can pull out as many as I need. I am making a batch tonight that have been frozen for about a month. I don't fry them until I actually need them. Awesome!
By loey21_11525243
north haledon, NJ
on January 12, 2011
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This is a great recipe. I made a regular risotto and added tons of grated cheese. I tweeked the riceball part by following a more traditional italian family recipe. In the center of the riceball place a cube of mozzerella and a teaspoon of meatsauce and peas......delish!!!
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