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Arancini with black rice and curry shrimp

26/11/2023

Arancini with black rice and curry shrimp are a creative interpretation of a Sicilian kitchen classic. They introduce exotic flavors and vibrant colors into a traditional specialty. Let’s see the recipe.

Ingredients for about 8-10 arancini:

  • 300 g of Venus (black) rice
  • 750 ml of vegetable broth
  • 200 g of shelled and cleaned shrimp
  • 1 tablespoon of curry powder
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 100 ml of white wine
  • 50 g of butter
  • 100 g of mozzarella, cut into small cubes
  • 100 g of flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 200 g of breadcrumbs
  • Oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the risotto. In a large saucepan, sauté the finely chopped onion in butter until it becomes translucent. Add the black Venus rice and toast it for a couple of minutes.

  2. Deglaze the rice with white wine and let it evaporate. Then start adding the hot vegetable broth, a little at a time, like a normal risotto, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more. Cook until the rice is al dente, it will take about 30-40 minutes, as Venus rice has longer cooking times compared to white rices.

  3. Separately, in a frying pan, cook the shrimp with a drizzle of oil and the curry powder until they are pink and cooked. Salt them lightly.

  4. When the risotto is ready, turn off the heat and let it cool down. Then incorporate the curry shrimp.

  5. To form the arancini, take a portion of rice, place a couple of shrimp and a cube of mozzarella in the center, and close it to form a ball. Do this for each arancino.

  6. Bread the arancini by first rolling them in the flour, then in the beaten eggs, and finally in the breadcrumbs.

  7. Fry the arancini in hot oil until they become golden and crispy.

  8. Let the arancini dry on paper towels and serve hot.

Curiosity

Arancini are a Sicilian street food created to allow workers to consume a complete meal during work. Traditionally, they are a breaded, fried ball of rice with a filling. The name “arancino” comes from their shape and color, which resemble a small orange. The version with black rice and curry shrimp represents a delicious variation on the classic theme.