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Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Recipe Book Recipe Reviews => Topic started by: KerrynN on January 21, 2012, 09:02:43 pm

Title: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: KerrynN on January 21, 2012, 09:02:43 pm
I took these to a girlfriend's birthday party yesterday. They were very well received. I followed the recipe as per the book, with two exceptions. First, I didn't add the saffron as I didn't have any of the real stuff and didn't want to use imitation, and secondly, I didn't use nearly as much as 100g of mozzarella.

The instructions say to cut the mozzarella into 1/2 cm cubes, and I didn't do this very well. I made my cubes much too small so had *lots* left over, I ended up using two or three as I realised how much was going to be left. I could tell the difference between those with not much mozzarella and those that had closer to the correct amount. I think if I had cut it up with the idea that I needed 50 pieces I would have been more successful than focusing on the correct size.

I did have to make additional bread crumbs as 5 slices catered for only about 40 balls (but this could be because I used sandwich sliced bread - perhaps 5 slices of thicker toast sliced would have been enough?). In all I used about 6 slices worth. Also, I needed to add another beaten egg, but again my eggs were from a 550g carton so were probably smaller than the ones expected by the recipe.

The mixture made exactly 50, as it said it should which was great (except that there wasn't a spare tasting one).

I suspect that they would normally be cooked in a deep fryer to retain their ball shape, as mine ended up with lots of flat sides from the frying pan. They still looked great though.

Overall, I would give this recipe a 5/5. It takes a bit of time to put them together and is certainly a messy process, but worth it in the end.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Lellyj on January 22, 2012, 12:41:45 am
thanks for this review, Karen!  Very timely as I am just going to make the risotto for these to serve at my birthday party tomorrow! Just wondering Did you reheat them when you were there? Or cook them just before you went?
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: KerrynN on January 22, 2012, 05:31:40 am
I had only cooked them at about 3pm but we did reheat them when we got there as they weren't served until quite a bit later. Popped them in the preheated oven (about 180) crammed together on a tray for about 15-20 minutes. They were quite hot when they came out!

It is pretty messy to do and time consuming so if you can do them before hand and then reheat I would recommend that - unless of course you have a designated cook just waiting to cook and serve!
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Lellyj on January 24, 2012, 10:35:45 am
Well Kerryn was right--these are time consuming to make but they were a hit and I felt very proud of the finished result. I also made about 50.  I made the risotto the day before and rolled and fried the arancini in the afternoon.  I did reheat them and they went cripsy again.  I rarely deep fry but found these didn't taste greasy at all.  I used rice crumbs (purchased--couldn't get any gf bread to make my own crumbs) and didn't dip the balls in flour to make them gluten free.  I used tmx chicken stock paste (about a tablespoon, I think!) and water for the stock and saffron threads as I didn't have any powdered saffron.  Very pleased!  Will definitely make again when I have time to "potter."

The first photo shows the rice balls before crumbing
The second shows some crumbed
and the third shows the arancini being fried.  I didn't take photos of the finished product, they were gobbled down very quickly!

NB I found the rice crumbs browned very quickly so some of the finished rice balls look a little more than "golden", but they tasted fine.

Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: judydawn on January 24, 2012, 10:41:04 am
How did you reheat them Lelly?
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Lellyj on January 24, 2012, 10:48:54 am
Just in a preheated oven, for about maybe 10 minutes.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: judydawn on January 24, 2012, 10:58:22 am
Worth the trouble then if reheating is so easy, thanks Lelly and glad your guests enjoyed the food.  Forgot to wish you a happy birthday too, sorry about that.  Was it yesterday?
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: fundj&e on January 24, 2012, 11:19:28 am
i love making  arancini and love eating them even more

would the size be  like  50 cent piece ?

happy birthday for yesterday Lelly  :-*
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: KerrynN on January 25, 2012, 10:29:57 am
I think that mine were about the 50 cent piece size. My DH says they were smaller than a golf ball or a ping pong ball, if that helps.

Also should say that we had some of the left overs a few days later, heated up for about 15 minutes and they were still delicious! I think I will make them in a bigger size as an accompaniment to a main meal.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: cecilia on January 25, 2012, 12:07:37 pm
A friend made these for a party at our place - they were beautiful!  She brought them made and reheated them in our oven - no trouble at our end, although reading through this discussion I appreciate all the effort she made all the more.  Guests wolfed them down - I had two and my friend only got one in the nick of time as they were fast disappearing.  Try them - you won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Lellyj on January 26, 2012, 06:55:39 am
Yes they are delicious Cecilia. 

Uni I think mine may have  been a little smaller than 50c . . . maybe 20c?!  I made them big enough to easily encase the cheese.

Thanks Uni and Judy for birthday wishes, my husband is overseas at the moment so I had myself a little party!  Clancy (TMX) helped make the arancini, Nico's sweet potato frittata which Judydawn has reviewed, potato pizza, hummous and cooked the chicken for rice paper rolls!  THEN when people arrived he made bellinis and mango daiquiris!!  It was a lovely little party for myself and 9 of my girlfriends.  I really enjoyed pottering around making the food during the day and my friends enjoyed eating it!
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: judydawn on January 26, 2012, 06:58:38 am
Nice little hen's party Lellyj, good on you for the effort you went to and so glad you enjoyed it in spite of all the work you did.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Tasty on June 12, 2012, 12:39:35 pm
I made this last night to take to some guests today. I have to agree with the others, they can be quite fiddly and time conuming to make so I only ended up making half a batch and left the others to some other time. I'm not quite sure how to describe the flavour but it was kinda too strong in one area and I felt it needed the freshness of lemon to even it out.

After reading through this thread, I realised I probably put too much chicken stock paste (3 tablespoons). Initally, I thought it would boost the flavour but maybe I got a bit carried away and actually ruined them a bit.

Nevertheless, they didn't taste too bad when reheated today.

(http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z359/Fotographies/P1030291.jpg)
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: JulieO on June 12, 2012, 01:15:09 pm
They look good Tasty.  What a shame they are fiddly to make.  It's something I've never made.  :-[
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Lellyj on June 13, 2012, 02:37:42 pm
Sorry to hear you had mixed success wi this Tasty. As Julie said, they look Fab. I hope I didn't type the recipe wrong for you :(. I find them diddly, but worth it. If you use leftover risotto, or make the risotto the day before, I find it not so daunting.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Lellyj on June 13, 2012, 11:03:46 pm
H!ha I mean I found them fiddly, not diddly! Darn iPad auto-correct!
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: JulieO on June 13, 2012, 11:24:48 pm
 :D :D
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: judydawn on June 14, 2012, 02:20:05 am
I knew what you meant Lelly but it gave me a laugh too  :D
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on October 26, 2013, 04:29:16 am
I have just made the risotto for the arancini balls. The risotto was a little gluggy compared to my normal version, i can already tell these are going to be a winner :)

I used saffron as I had some.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: cookie1 on October 26, 2013, 08:29:37 am
I can't wait to hear they they go.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on October 27, 2013, 01:47:37 am
Dh & I rolled them together, we have 38 balls.

They are going to be delicious
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: snappy on October 27, 2013, 03:20:12 am
Is it possible for someone to PM me this recipe?  They sound so delicious!
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on October 27, 2013, 04:03:58 am
Will do tomorrow. Celebrating now with Veuve.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/27/8esy6epu.jpg)
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Katiej on October 27, 2013, 05:16:50 am
They look delicious Hally.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Kimmyh on October 27, 2013, 10:05:42 am
Yummy Hally.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on October 27, 2013, 09:30:06 pm
Snappy, pm me your email.

Thanks they were delicious :) froze some uncooked, hope they freeze well.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Wonder on October 27, 2013, 10:02:03 pm
hally they look great, did you pan fry them? We love arancini.

Where you celebrating something special with the Veuve or just making the arancini  ;D
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on October 27, 2013, 10:16:12 pm
Yes pan fried. I love aranacii balls too. Yes mils house was sold at auction & reached a fair bit over the reserve :)

The saffron really adds an extra yum.

HHW
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on November 04, 2013, 09:58:41 pm
I defrosted a batch od these & they cooked up as fresh. A great dish to have ready to go in the freezer. 1 batch I divided into 3 which was really good :)

Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Kimby83 on November 21, 2013, 09:43:41 am
oohh i googled thermomix arancini and this looks like the best recipe yet - is there any chance someone could PM me the recipe?  I am having a dinner party on the weekend and these would be perfect!
Must put the Entertaining with Nico book on the wish list...
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on November 21, 2013, 11:23:50 am
Yes can do tomorrow, but please pm me your email & I can send it like that :)
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Tasty on November 21, 2013, 03:19:15 pm
Just PM'd you. Let me know if it didn't come through. Let us know how you go.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on November 22, 2013, 03:55:44 am
No pm, try again or email me.

H :)
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Tasty on November 22, 2013, 03:08:28 pm
Hally, I think you misunderstood. I have pm'd the recipe to kimby. You must've mistaken me for Kimby.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Halex on November 22, 2013, 09:17:02 pm
Lol, probably too much time in the dentists chair having a root canal!!
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: cookie1 on November 23, 2013, 11:02:35 am
Ouch Hally. Take care.
Title: Re: Mini Arancini Balls - Entertaining with Nico
Post by: Kimby83 on November 27, 2013, 01:20:21 pm
Thanks so much everyone!  Attempting the recipe now... will update with my results :)