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Arancini with Pea Cream and Cooked Ham

26/11/2023

Of course, arancini with pea cream and cooked ham are a delicious variation of the classic Sicilian arancini. Here’s how to prepare them.

Ingredients

  • 300 g of risotto rice (such as Arborio or Carnaroli)
  • 1 shallot
  • Vegetable broth as needed
  • 150 g of fresh or frozen peas
  • 100 g of diced cooked ham
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 100 g of diced mozzarella
  • Flour as needed
  • Breadcrumbs as needed
  • Oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Butter as needed

For the pea cream:

  • 200 g of fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 small white onion
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Water or vegetable broth as needed

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the risotto. Finely chop the shallot and sauté it in a saucepan with a bit of butter until it becomes translucent. Add the rice and toast it for a few minutes.

  2. Add the vegetable broth little by little, allowing the rice to absorb it before adding more. Cook until the rice is al dente.

  3. Meanwhile, prepare the pea cream. Chop the onion and sauté it in a pan with a drizzle of oil until golden. Add the peas and cook for a few minutes. Then cover with water or broth and cook until the peas are soft. Blend everything with an immersion blender until you get a smooth cream. Season with salt and pepper.

  4. When the risotto is ready, turn off the heat, add the Parmesan, the diced cooked ham, and let it cool.

  5. Beat the eggs in a bowl and set aside. Also, prepare plates with flour and breadcrumbs.

  6. Take a portion of rice, form a ball, then make a hole in the center with a finger and fill it with a bit of pea cream and some mozzarella cubes.

  7. Close the arancino, coat it with flour, then with beaten egg, and finally with breadcrumbs.

  8. Heat plenty of oil in a pan and fry the arancini until they are golden brown on all sides. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  9. Serve the arancini hot, accompanied by the remaining pea cream.

Curiosity

Arancini are a typical Sicilian specialty, whose shape resembles that of small oranges, which is where their name comes from. The version with pea cream and cooked ham is a more modern variation that combines the sweet flavor of peas with the savory taste of ham.