Let’s hear it for Italian street food!
The last time we were in Italy, if I had one I had one hundred arancini. Okay, maybe not one hundred, but I got dangerously close. It is, by far, one of my favorite gifts from this gorgeous country. Crunchy on the outside. Soft, creamy and decadent on the inside. Portable. Savory. Teeny. Mouth-watering. Nibbles. Gahhh.
I’m sure if you guys follow even a few blogs, you’re beginning to see some incredible football nosh making its way onto the scene. So I was inspired by everyone’s gorgeous party food to come up with an Italian tailgate treat of my own.
Pesto Arancini was the winner. Delicious hot out the fryer, cooled to room temp, or cold from the fridge – this little baby is as versatile a snack as they come. You can fill it with a cube of melty cheese, meat and sweet pea ragu, or basil pesto in all its herb-y glory like we’re doing today.
Arancini is typically made with short-grain rice, like arborio, which is commonly used for Risotto, however, I, for some reason, had two very large bags of medium-grain rice in my pantry… so, medium-grain rice it is! And I tell you what, it’s a fine substitute as long as you don’t overcook and you drain it very well.
Once the rice is cooked and cooled, combine it with your finished pesto, then throw it in the fridge for around an hour. Once the mixture is very cold and firm, with a small 1 inch scoop, form balls in the shape of tiny oranges – which by the way, is where this little beauty gets its name. Roll the rice balls in beaten eggs and then coat in Italian seasoned bread crumbs.
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat , cook 4 – 5 balls at a time for 2 – 3 minutes until golden brown, carefully turning as you go.
Using a slotted spoon, remove rice balls and drain on paper towels.
Keep finished arancini in a warm oven until the entire batch is complete. This recipe makes 60 – 65 balls.
Just enough to feed a hungry tailgatin’ crowd! Or me. Whoever gets there first…
Buon Appetito!
PrintPesto Arancini – Italian Street Food!
Ingredients
- Rice
- 5 cups chicken stock or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cups medium-grain rice (or short grain)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 4 –5 medium size cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 cup pine nuts
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 – 2 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- To make the rice, bring the stock and olive oil to a boil in a 3 qt. saucepan.
- Stir in the rice, return to boil, then adjust the heat to simmering.
- Cook the rice, uncovered until al dente (tender but firm) for 12 minutes.
- Drain the rice and spread on a cookie sheet to cool to room temperature.
- While rice is cooling prepare pesto.
- In a food processor, process the basil, garlic and pine nuts until finely chopped.
- With the machine running, pour the oil in a thin steady stream into mixture.
- Add the cheeses, a big pinch of salt and a good grinding of black pepper.
- Process briefly to combine.
- Once rice is cooled, combine finished pesto (2 cups) with the rice. Spread on (same) cookie sheet.
- Cover and chill for about an hour, until cold and firm.
- Prepare one bowl with beaten eggs and another with bread crumbs.
- Remove rice mixture from fridge and form 1 inch balls.
- Roll rice balls in beaten eggs then in bread crumbs to coat.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil.
- Cook in batches, 4 – 5 balls at a time, for 2 – 3 minutes, turning as you go.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove balls from oil and drain on a paper towel lined plate.
- Keep warm in a 200 degree oven while cooking the remaining balls.
- Arancini can be served hot or at room temperature.
Ciao!
Eva says
Love it! I love italian food and this recipe looks terrific!
Annie says
Thank you, Eva! This is a fun one! 🙂
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I love your take on these, Annie! I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from eating them. I’d be the guest hovering over these apps all night. 🙂
Annie says
Hahahah! You and I have so much in common! Thanks, friend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Arancini is my downfall, like I can eat insane amounts of those delicious little fried balls of heaven. These look epically delicious, Annie! Loving the pesto combination AND the fact that you strayed from typical arborio rice! Serious drool fest amd perfect for football… if they make it past my grubby hands and onto a platter! 😉 pinned! Cheers, pretty lady! Xo
Annie says
Then we would not be good together in a room with arancini…gonegonegone.Thanks so much my dear! And thanks for the pin! xo
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
How did you know that I love arancini AND I have a huge Tupperware container of homemade pesto sitting in my fridge waiting for me to use it in something?? Are you in my house? hahaha! I can see me making these every weekend for good game day eats (and for dinner and having leftovers for lunch) 🙂 Yummy!!!
Annie says
I just had a feeling!! hahaha! I love that… Enjoy, my friend! 🙂
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
Love this, Annie! I’ve never had arancini before – rice and pesto are two of my favorites so I’m definitely trying this!
Annie says
Awesome! I think you’re really going to like it, Geraldine! Enjoy!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
oh man, my mouth is watering just looking at the pics! Ahh I want some with my chai, yum!!
Annie says
Well, that’s a nice treat! I love my chai, too! Thanks, dear! 🙂
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
These wouldn’t last a hot minute in my house! I wish I would have had some yesterday when we were watching the Panthers win! I guess there is always next week!
Annie says
The Panthers will be back and so must these arancini. Enjoy, my friend!
Kevin | Keviniscooking says
I’m a big time nibble food lover and these fit the bill perfectly. Homemade pesto and a crispy crunchy exterior. I recently had these tasty arancini with a short rib mix inside. HEAVEN. These look wonderful, too.
Annie says
Oh yes, we’ve had it with the short rib mix inside, too – I still well up just thinking about it…outstanding! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Zainab says
WOW! I did not know how easy this was to make. I HAVE to try them.
Annie says
They are that easy!!!! Enjoy, my friend!
Linda says
So yummy!! I had these while visiting in Italy too…never thought to make them at home – now I can! Thank you 🙂
Annie says
Wonderful! If you loved them – then you owe it to yourself to make and enjoy from the comforts of home…though there is nothing better than eating them from a crowded Spanish Step, am I right? Thanks, dear!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
Wow!! This Italian Street food looks and sounds superb! ! Love this idea of mixing rice and pesto and then deep frying it.. Amazing!! 🙂
Annie says
Yeah – this is some of my favorite kind of food! So fun and tasty!! Thanks, friend!
Mira says
I’ve never made arancini, but will definitely try these! Love them! Pinning!
Annie says
I think you’ll really like them, Mira! Thanks, dear! 🙂
cheri says
I love these Italian rice bites. Yum!
Annie says
Thanks, Cheri!! Have a lovely weekend!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These look amazing! I”m such a fan of anything pesto and these look delicious 🙂 Pinning!
Annie says
Thanks, Medha! I am with you – I’m a big fan, too! Thanks for the pin, friend!
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Yes, yes, yes! These are phenomenal! I don’t care where you are, street food is always the best! I would totally devour and entire plate of these! Hope you have a great weekend my dear.
Annie says
The. Best! Thanks, dear!
Ben Maclain | Havocinthekitchen says
That’s great, Annie! I made them only once (stuffed with Mozzarella if I’m not mistaken), a few years back, and basically they were disastrous! They were quit edible (despite being dry and falling apart haha), and that’s it. But I’ve haven’t given up on them yet – perhaps I’m a better cook now, and I can handle them. Besides, now I know one blogger (no names) whose Italian recipes I could definitely rely on):) Well done!
Annie says
You can handle them, I promise! Go for it…I believe in you! Thanks, friend! So sweet!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Yay for Italian street food 🙂 These look sensational, Annie! I love rice balls and these sound amazing with the fresh pesto! These would disappear in no time at our house – perfect game day food!
Annie says
I have a soft spot for Italian street food – it is soooo good! Thanks, friend!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
These pesto arancini look undeniably gorgeous and delicious. I can have this entire batch right away! So good! Have a lovely weekend my friend. 🙂
Annie says
Thanks so much, Anu! You also have a lovely weekend! 🙂
Kari Peters says
These look unbelievable! I love the pesto twist, I’ve never seen that before and it sounds addicting!
Annie says
Too addicting! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Hooray for Italian food! I’ve never had anything quite like this, but I sure love the sound of it. What a great game day snack! Especially with that pesto…these wouldn’t stand a chance in my house!
Annie says
Yeah…they don’t stand a chance in mine either! Thanks, friend! Have a great weekend!