Ham And Cheese Arancini (italian Fried Rice Balls)

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 eggs
• 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 onion, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped or 1 -2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/2-1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
• oil, for deep-frying
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup flour, for coating
• 1 cup dry breadcrumbs or 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Recipe

• 1 saute onion in 1 t butter over medium heat until translucent and beginning to brown. remove from heat and allow to cool.
• 2 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.
• 3 cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• 4 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!).
• 5 place the flour into a small bowl. whisk 2 eggs in a second small bowl. place the dry breadcrumbs in a third small bowl.
• 6 dip each ball into flour, then into the egg and then into the breadcrumbs.
• 7 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.
• 8 drain on paper towels and enjoy! they are nice dipped in french onion dip, ranch dip or all on their own.