# Arancini di Riso

## Description
Classic Sicilian arancini reimagined as gluten-free golden rice balls filled with creamy mozzarella and aromatic herbs. These crispy, bite-sized treats originate from 10th century Sicily and make perfect party appetizers or afternoon snacks. The gluten-free coating ensures everyone can enjoy these addictive Italian delights.

## Quick Facts
- Calories: 385 per serving
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Servings: 5
- Difficulty: medium
- Cuisine: Italian
- Health Score: 6.5/10

## Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 385
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fat: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg

## Dietary Information
This recipe is: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free

## Ingredients (5 servings)
- 2 cups arborio rice (uncooked)
- 4 cups vegetable broth (warm)
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 3 whole eggs (divided - 1 for rice, 2 for coating)
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese (cut into 15 small cubes)
- 2 cups gluten-free breadcrumbs (or crushed gluten-free crackers)
- 1 cup rice flour (for coating)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for deep frying)

## Instructions
1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a simmer. Add arborio rice and cook stirring occasionally until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and immediately stir in parmesan cheese, 1 beaten egg, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until creamy and combined.
3. Spread rice mixture on a large baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes until completely cooled and firm enough to handle.
4. Set up breading station with three bowls: rice flour in first bowl, 2 beaten eggs in second, and gluten-free breadcrumbs mixed with remaining salt in third.
5. Take 1/4 cup of rice mixture, flatten in palm, place mozzarella cube in center, and carefully form into a ball enclosing cheese completely. Repeat to make 15 balls.
6. Roll each ball in rice flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Place on parchment-lined tray.
7. Heat oil in deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry arancini in batches of 3-4, turning occasionally, until deep golden brown all over, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
8. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Let cool for 2 minutes before serving warm.

## Allergen Information
Contains: dairy, eggs

## Tags
gluten-free, italian, appetizer, party-food, sicilian, rice-balls, fried, cheese-filled

## Source
Recipe by: CalorieGram AI

## Machine-Readable Data

### Recipe Metadata
```json
{
  "id": "8bacee60-df8a-446c-9d55-02bec6d8744e",
  "youtube_id": null,
  "title": "Arancini di Riso",
  "cuisine_type": "Italian",
  "meal_type": [
    "snack"
  ],
  "difficulty_level": "medium",
  "servings": 5,
  "prep_time_minutes": 45,
  "cook_time_minutes": 20,
  "total_time_minutes": 65,
  "health_score": 6.5,
  "created_at": "2025-06-24T16:42:28.000Z",
  "updated_at": "2025-06-24T16:42:28.000Z"
}
```

### Ingredients Data
```json
{
  "servings": 5,
  "ingredients": [
    {
      "name": "arborio rice",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "cups",
      "notes": "uncooked"
    },
    {
      "name": "vegetable broth",
      "amount": 4,
      "unit": "cups",
      "notes": "warm"
    },
    {
      "name": "parmesan cheese",
      "amount": 0.5,
      "unit": "cup",
      "notes": "freshly grated"
    },
    {
      "name": "eggs",
      "amount": 3,
      "unit": "whole",
      "notes": "divided - 1 for rice, 2 for coating"
    },
    {
      "name": "mozzarella cheese",
      "amount": 4,
      "unit": "oz",
      "notes": "cut into 15 small cubes"
    },
    {
      "name": "gluten-free breadcrumbs",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "cups",
      "notes": "or crushed gluten-free crackers"
    },
    {
      "name": "rice flour",
      "amount": 1,
      "unit": "cup",
      "notes": "for coating"
    },
    {
      "name": "fresh basil",
      "amount": 2,
      "unit": "tablespoons",
      "notes": "finely chopped"
    },
    {
      "name": "salt",
      "amount": 1,
      "unit": "teaspoon",
      "notes": "divided"
    },
    {
      "name": "black pepper",
      "amount": 0.5,
      "unit": "teaspoon",
      "notes": "freshly ground"
    },
    {
      "name": "vegetable oil",
      "amount": 4,
      "unit": "cups",
      "notes": "for deep frying"
    }
  ]
}
```

### Nutrition Data (per serving)
```json
{
  "calories": 385,
  "macros": {
    "protein_g": 12,
    "carbs_g": 48,
    "fat_g": 16,
    "fiber_g": 2,
    "sugar_g": 2,
    "sodium_mg": 520
  },
  "dietary_tags": {
    "vegan": false,
    "vegetarian": true,
    "gluten_free": true,
    "dairy_free": false,
    "nut_free": true
  }
}
```

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