I've been meaning to make arancini (breaded risotto balls) for aaages, but I never have any leftover risotto to use up - it's so good, it just gets eaten (whoops). And making a risotto from scratch for the sole purpose of making arancini always seems a bit of a faff, definitely not the sort of thing I can be bothered to do regularly.
Then inspiration struck!
I use these trays of microwaveable Veetee rice all the time (I actually can't remember the last time I cooked rice from scratch), so I thought I'd experiment with using them to make something that resembles arancini - but is much quicker to make.
These crispy rice balls are made with roasted aubergine and chopped chives, and they're stuffed with ooey, gooey mozzarella cheese. The crispy breadcrumbs are just the icing on the cake (uhh, the coating on the rice ball...?).
Plus, this version is baked not fried, so the mozzarella is toootally okay!
You only need a few ingredients. Just roast the aubergines for a while, then mash the flesh and mix it with the pre-cooked rice, chives, and an egg. Shape the mixture into little balls, with a piece of mozzarella in the middle, then roll them in breadcrumbs (you don't even need any flour or extra egg, these really are faff-free). Then you can just bake them until the breadcrumbs are nice and crispy, and the mozzarella in the middle is gooey.
When you tear these babies apart, the cheese that oozes out is enough to make you swoon.
Crispy breadcrumbs, melty cheese and the soft aubergine and rice... they're little balls of heaven.
I experimented with making some slightly larger rice balls and some smaller ones, and I think the smaller ones worked better - they were neater, and held together more tightly. So I'd aim to make around 10-12 balls from this recipe. Also, don't over-stuff them - one small dice of mozzarella is all you need, otherwise the cheese will find a way out and explode all over your baking tray (who me?).
Using the pre-cooked Veetee rice definitely makes these little rice balls much quicker to make than 'proper' arancini. I'm already dreaming up some variations and different flavour combinations! Any ideas?
📖 Printable Recipe
Mozzarella-stuffed aubergine and rice balls
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Print Pin CommentIngredients
- 2 medium aubergines
- 300 g cooked rice (~ 1 ½ cups)
- Small bunch chives, chopped
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- Salt
- Black pepper
- tablespoon ~6 dried breadcrumbs
- 100 g fresh mozzarella (1 small ball), cut into 1.5cm dice
- Spray oil
Instructions
- Place the aubergines on a baking tray, and prick the skin a few times with a fork. Bake at 200°C (Gas Mark 6 / 400°F) for around an hour, until soft. Leave the oven on.
- When the aubergines are soft, cut then in half lengthwise, and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Scoop the flesh from the skin with a spoon, and mash the flesh thoroughly with a fork (or chop it thoroughly with a knife, if easier). Add the mashed flesh to a large bowl (discard the skins).
- If using Veetee instant rice, cook it for a couple of minutes in the microwave to soften it up, then add it to the bowl with the aubergine. Add the chopped chives, beaten egg, and a generous amount of salt and pepper, and mix thoroughly. Mash the rice a little to help the mixture to stick together.
- Lightly grease a baking tray, and spread the breadcrumbs out on a small plate.
- With clean hands, take a small amount of the rice mixture (maybe ¾ of a tablespoon or so), and press it into the palm of your hand. Place a small piece of mozzarella on top, and then some more of the rice mixture. Shape into a ball surrounding the mozzarella, and squeeze tightly to help it to hold together.
- Roll the ball in the breadcrumbs, and place on the baking tray while you repeat with the remaining ingredients - aim to make around 10-12 balls in total.
- When you have used up all of the rice mixture and mozzarella, spray the rice balls lightly with oil, and bake for around 30 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.
Note: nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose. Information above is for 1 rice ball.
Fan of Veetee's heat and eat rice? You can also use it to make a cheater's risotto in just 15 minutes:
Katie says
They look amazing! I've never made anything like this as it always calls for leftover risotto (what's that?!) but now I know you can use packet rice I'll certainly be giving them a go.
Katie xoxo
Jack Lira says
Forget the aubergine (or eggplant as well call it) and mix in some pesto. Mmmmm, love aranchini.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Sounds like a great idea, I love pesto!
Spanish HomeMade says
It looks really amazing, We'll definitely try it! What rice would you say is the best for it? could we use bomb rice as we normally use for paella?
thanks a lot!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I don't know what you mean by bomb rice, but I'd very much recommend using the Veetee rice trays, they make it so easy.
Spanish HomeMade says
Bomb is a kind of rice (used mainly in Spain); maybe it's called differently here :)
Thanks for the info!
Have a nice week!
Julia@Vikalinka says
What a brilliant idea to use Veetee rice for arancini! I've never made them for that exact reason, we never have leftover risotto. I love that you added a bit of smoky aubergine, always a winner in my books! Lovely.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Definitely more fun than having to leave some risotto uneaten ;)
Faith Music and Eyeliner says
Oh wow. These look so delicious.
I love arancini so much, so anything that even slightly resembles it is gonna go down well with me. I love that they're baked instead of fried too. What a good recipe. I'm so glad I just 'discovered' your blog - it looks so lovely!
kellie@foodtoglow says
Ooey gooey cheese is never a bad call. Stuffed in rice balls and baked? A whole other level. I have never tried Veetee, but it sounds like something to get and not bother with making (and trying to save back) risotto.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
The Veetee rice trays are a lifesaver, no fuss and no washing up! ;)
Diana says
Such a great idea using up the leftovers! Looks very yummy too
Jo of Jo's Kitchen says
Yummy. These look tasty indeed and a great way to use leftover rice!