Arancini a concept from the Italian cooking, preparing snack bites using their rice preparation called risotto made with the classic Arborio rice has been a favorite of many of us around the globe by now and somehow it is one of those snacks which can suit the needs of almost all of us to deal with those hunger pangs! The authentic recipe however sticks to their basic recipe and mild flavors be it veg or non-veg it is easy to adapt it here to our taste to make it more Chatpata and interesting to please our palates.
The essential of a good Arancini concept is rice and cooking it right and seasoning it well, the stuffing in the center is an absolute delight to bite into and that feeling when the cheese comes oozing out being served fried piping hot is just too difficult to express in words. Here is an attempt to get that concoction fused in a desi innovative style for all of us to relish.
Recipe-1] CHEESY MUSHROOM ARANCINI
Ingredients:
For the rice and mushroom mixture:
Boiled starchy/cooked white rice- 1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil-1 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic – 1 tsp chopped
Onion-1 small chopped
Green chilies-1/2 tsp
Fresh mushrooms-4-6 med sized, sliced.
Capsicum- ½ no, chopped.
Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Parsley/coriander-1 tbsp. chopped
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Cheese-1/2 cup, small cubes or grated/shavings
Fresh cream/ white sauce-1/2 cup
For coating and frying:
Maida – water batter-1 cup, thick to coat
Bread crumbs-1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil to deep fry.
To serve with:
Chili- mayo dip, walnut coriander chili pesto, green mint and cucumber dip, hung curd and garlic dip, tomato ketchup, sweet chili and tamarind dip, hot garlic chutney, peanut butter dip, soy- pepper dip etc.
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients for the recipe as listed.
2. We can use leftover white/brown rice as well for these kind of snacks.
3.Heat oil and butter in a pan saute the onion and garlic for a few seconds, add in the mushrooms and capsicums, salt, pepper, herbs, spices as per taste and mix well.
4. Cook on a medium flame for 2-3 mins, add in little fresh cream, the cooked rice and mix well, continue cooking for 8-10 mins, turn off the flame, add in the fresh parsley/ coriander leaves, mix and allow to cool.
5. Apply oil on the hands/fingers and divide the mixture into 10-12 equal portions and turn them into lemon sized balls.
6. Flatten each portion and place a small portion of cheese cube/grated cheese/ shavings and seal it up, chill for 30 mins.
7. Prepare the batter and dip each portion in it, coat it well then give it a coat of bread crumbs and dust off the excess. Heat up oil in a kadai and fry them on a medium flame for 4-5 mins, until nice and golden color, remove on a kitchen paper, drain off excess oil. Arrange them on a serving platter with a dip of your choice and serve hot.
Recipe-2] CORN AND COCONUT ARANCINI
Ingredients
For the rice – corn & coconut mixture:
Boiled starchy/cooked white rice- 1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil-1 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic – 1 tsp chopped
Onion-1 small chopped
Green chilies-1/2 tsp
Boiled sweet corn- 1 cup, crushed.
Tender coconut flesh/malai- ½ cup shred.
Red Capsicum- ½ no, chopped.
Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Chaat masala-1/4 tsp
Parsley/coriander-1 tbsp. chopped
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Cheese-1/2 cup, small cubes or grated/shavings
Fresh cream/ white sauce-1/2 cup
For coating and frying:
Maida – water batter-1 cup, thick to coat
Bread crumbs-1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil to deep fry.
To serve with:
Chili- mayo dip, walnut coriander chili pesto, green mint and cucumber dip, hung curd and garlic dip, tomato ketchup, sweet chili and tamarind dip, hot garlic chutney, peanut butter dip, soy- pepper dip etc.
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients as listed for the recipe.
2. We can use leftover white/brown rice as well for these kind of snacks.
3.Heat oil and butter in a pan saute the onion and garlic for a few seconds, add in the boiled crushed sweet corn and red capsicums, salt, pepper, herbs, spices as per taste and mix well.
4. Cook on a medium flame for 2-3 mins, add in little fresh cream, the cooked rice and mix well, continue cooking for 8-10 mins, turn off the flame, add in the fresh parsley/ coriander leaves, tender coconut flesh mix and allow to cool.
5. Apply oil on the hands/fingers and divide the mixture into 10-12 equal portions and turn them into lemon sized balls.
6. Flatten each portion and place a small portion of cheese cube/grated cheese/ shavings and seal it up, chill for 30 mins.
7. Prepare the batter and dip each portion in it, coat it well then give it a coat of bread crumbs and dust off the excess. Heat up oil in a kadai and fry them on a medium flame for 4-5 mins, until nice and golden color, remove on a kitchen paper, drain off excess oil. Arrange them on a serving platter with a dip of your choice and serve hot.
Recipe-3] DESI COTTAGE CHEESE ARANCINI
Ingredients
For the rice and cottage cheese mixture:
Boiled starchy/cooked white rice- 1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil-1 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic – 1 tsp chopped
Onion-1 small chopped
Green chilies-1/2 tsp
Paneer-1/2 cup grated
green Capsicum- ½ no, chopped.
Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Chaat masala-1/4 tsp
Parsley/coriander-1 tbsp. chopped
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Cheese-1/2 cup, small cubes or grated/shavings
Fresh cream/ white sauce-1/2 cup
For coating and frying:
Maida – water batter-1 cup, thick to coat
Bread crumbs-1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil to deep fry.
To serve with:
Chili- mayo dip, walnut coriander chili pesto, green mint and cucumber dip, hung curd and garlic dip, tomato ketchup, sweet chili and tamarind dip, hot garlic chutney, peanut butter dip, soy- pepper dip etc.
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients as listed for the recipe.
2. We can use leftover white/brown rice as well for these kind of snacks.
3.Heat oil and butter in a pan saute the onion and garlic for a few seconds, add in the paneer and green capsicums, salt, pepper, herbs, spices as per taste and mix well.
4. Cook on a medium flame for 2-3 mins, add in little fresh cream, the cooked rice and mix well, continue cooking for 8-10 mins, turn off the flame, add in the fresh parsley/ coriander leaves mix and allow to cool.
5. Apply oil on the hands/fingers and divide the mixture into 10-12 equal portions and turn them into lemon sized balls.
6. Flatten each portion and place a small portion of cheese cube/grated cheese/ shavings and seal it up, chill for 30 mins.
7. Prepare the batter and dip each portion in it, coat it well then give it a coat of bread crumbs and dust off the excess. Heat up oil in a kadai and fry them on a medium flame for 4-5 mins, until nice and golden color, remove on a kitchen paper, drain off excess oil. Arrange them on a serving platter with a dip of your choice and serve hot.
Recipe-4] ACHARI POTATO & SAUSAGE ARANCINI
Ingredients
For the rice – potato and sausage mixture:
Boiled starchy/cooked white rice- 1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil-1 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic – 1 tsp chopped
Onion-1 small chopped
Green chilies-1/2 tsp
Potato boiled- 1/2 cup grated
Chicken sausages-2 no, chopped.
Mango pickle masala- 1 and a half tsp
Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Chaat masala-1/4 tsp
Parsley/coriander-1 tbsp. chopped
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Cheese-1/2 cup, small cubes or grated/shavings
Fresh cream/ white sauce-1/2 cup
For coating and frying:
Maida – water batter-1 cup, thick to coat
Bread crumbs-1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil to deep fry.
To serve with:
Chili- mayo dip, walnut coriander chili pesto, green mint and cucumber dip, hung curd and garlic dip, tomato ketchup, sweet chili and tamarind dip, hot garlic chutney, peanut butter dip, soy- pepper dip etc.
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients as listed for the recipe.
2. We can use leftover white/brown rice as well for these kind of snacks.
3.Heat oil and butter in a pan saute the onion and garlic for a few seconds, add in the sausage and boiled mashed potatoes salt, pepper, herbs, spices as per taste and mix well.
4. Cook on a medium flame for 2-3 mins, add in little fresh cream, the cooked rice and mix well, continue cooking for 8-10 mins, turn off the flame, add in the fresh parsley/ coriander leaves, mango pickle masala and mix and allow to cool.
5. Apply oil on the hands/fingers and divide the mixture into 10-12 equal portions and turn them into lemon sized balls.
6. Flatten each portion and place a small portion of cheese cube/grated cheese/ shavings and seal it up, chill for 30 mins.
7. Prepare the batter and dip each portion in it, coat it well then give it a coat of bread crumbs and dust off the excess. Heat up oil in a kadai and fry them on a medium flame for 4-5 mins, until nice and golden color, remove on a kitchen paper, drain off excess oil. Arrange them on a serving platter with a dip of your choice and serve hot.
Recipe-5] SPICED KEEMA MATTAR ARANCINI
Ingredients
For the rice and spiced chicken mixture:
Boiled starchy/cooked white rice- 1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil-1 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Garlic – 1 tsp chopped
Onion-1 small chopped
Green chilies-1/2 tsp
Chicken keema-1 cup
Green peas-1/2 cup boiled.
Tomato puree-2 tsp
Tomato ketchup-2 tsp
Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Chaat masala-1/4 tsp
Parsley/coriander-1 tbsp. chopped
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Cheese-1/2 cup, small cubes or grated/shavings
Fresh cream/ white sauce-1/2 cup
For coating and frying:
Maida – water batter-1 cup, thick to coat
Bread crumbs-1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil to deep fry.
To serve with:
Chili- mayo dip, walnut coriander chili pesto, green mint and cucumber dip, hung curd and garlic dip, tomato ketchup, sweet chili and tamarind dip, hot garlic chutney, peanut butter dip, soy- pepper dip etc.
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients as listed for the recipe.
2. We can use leftover white/brown rice as well for these kind of snacks.
3.Heat oil and butter in a pan saute the onion and garlic for a few seconds, add in the chicken keema and boiled peas, salt, pepper, herbs, spices as per taste and mix well add in the tomato puree, ketchup and mix.
4. Cook on a medium flame for 10-15 mins, add in little fresh cream, the cooked rice and mix well, continue cooking for 8-10 mins, turn off the flame, add in the fresh parsley/ coriander leaves, mix and allow to cool.
5. Apply oil on the hands/fingers and divide the mixture into 10-12 equal portions and turn them into lemon sized balls.
6. Flatten each portion and place a small portion of cheese cube/grated cheese/ shavings and seal it up, chill for 30 mins.
7. Prepare the batter and dip each portion in it, coat it well then give it a coat of bread crumbs and dust off the excess. Heat up oil in a kadai and fry them on a medium flame for 4-5 mins, until nice and golden color, remove on a kitchen paper, drain off excess oil. Arrange them on a serving platter with a dip of your choice and serve hot.
Recipe-6] TEMPERED TOFU ARANCINI
Ingredients:
For the rice and tempered tofu mixture:
Boiled starchy/cooked white rice- 1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil-1 tsp
Butter-1 tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp
Curry leaves-5-6 no
Garlic – 1 tsp chopped
Onion-1 small chopped
Green chilies-1/2 tsp
Firm tofu- 1/2 cup, crumbled
Red/green/yellow capsicums-1/4 cup, chopped mix.
Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp
Chaat masala-1/4 tsp
Parsley/coriander-1 tbsp. chopped
Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp
Cheese-1/2 cup, small cubes or grated/shavings
Fresh cream/ white sauce-1/2 cup
For coating and frying:
Maida – water batter-1 cup, thick to coat
Bread crumbs-1 and a half cup
Salt and pepper to taste
Oil to deep fry.
To serve with:
Chili- mayo dip, walnut coriander chili pesto, green mint and cucumber dip, hung curd and garlic dip, tomato ketchup, sweet chili and tamarind dip, hot garlic chutney, peanut butter dip, soy- pepper dip etc.
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients as listed for the recipe.
2. We can use leftover white/brown rice as well for these kind of snacks.
3.Heat oil and butter in a pan saute the cumin seeds, curry leaves and then add in the onion and garlic for a few seconds, add in the crumbled tofu and colorful capsicums, salt, pepper, herbs, spices as per taste and mix well.
4. Cook on a medium flame for 2-3 mins, add in little fresh cream, the cooked rice and mix well, continue cooking for 3-4 mins, turn off the flame, add in the fresh parsley/ coriander leaves and mix and allow to cool.
5. Apply oil on the hands/fingers and divide the mixture into 10-12 equal portions and turn them into lemon sized balls.
6. Flatten each portion and place a small portion of cheese cube/grated cheese/ shavings and seal it up, chill for 30 mins.
7. Prepare the batter and dip each portion in it, coat it well then give it a coat of bread crumbs and dust off the excess. Heat up oil in a kadai and fry them on a medium flame for 4-5 mins, until nice and golden color, remove on a kitchen paper, drain off excess oil. Arrange them on a serving platter with a dip of your choice and serve hot.
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BRIEF ABOUT THE AUTHOR: DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI – CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF IS A MUMBAI BASED FOOD & HOSPITALITY CONSULTANT. HE HAS WORKED WITH ESTEEMED BRANDS LIKE THE TAJ GROUP OF HOTELS, KUWAIT AIRWAYS AND MANY MORE. BESIDES HAVING SPECIALISED IN OVER 33 PLUS INTERNATIONAL CUISINES CHEF KAVIRAJ IS A RENOWNED NAME IN THE WORLD OF HOSPITALITY EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT. HE HAS ALSO BEEN FEATURED ON STAR PLUS & COLORS TELEVISION. AN AWARDEE OF THE BHARAT VIDYA RATAN AWARD, BEST CHEF ASIA AWARD AND MANY MORE ACCOLADES MAKE HIM ONE OF THE ICONIC NAMES FROM THE CULINARY WORLD.
By: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.
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