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Arancini with Venus rice and salmon

26/11/2023

The Arancini with Venus rice and salmon are a modern gourmet reinterpretation of the classic Sicilian arancini. The Venus rice, with its characteristic black color and slightly nutty aroma, pairs well with the delicateness of the salmon. It is a dish that blends Sicilian tradition with contemporary influences and ingredients not typical of Italian cuisine. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 250 g of Venus rice
  • 500 ml of vegetable broth
  • 200 g of smoked salmon
  • 100 g of mozzarella for pizza
  • 50 g of butter
  • 1 shallot
  • 50 g of grated cheese (Parmesan)
  • 2 eggs
  • Breadcrumbs, as needed
  • Flour, as needed
  • Seed oil for frying
  • Salt and pepper, as needed
  • Chives for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by toasting the Venus rice in a saucepan with a drizzle of oil and finely chopped shallot. Once the grains are well-toasted, add the hot vegetable broth a little at a time, cooking the rice (about 30-35 minutes) as if you were preparing risotto.

  2. When the rice is cooked, remove it from the heat and add the butter and grated cheese. Stir well and let the mixture cool down, preferably on a baking tray to speed up the process.

  3. In the meantime, cut the smoked salmon and mozzarella into small cubes.

  4. Take a portion of the now-cooled rice, form a sort of hollow and place a few cubes of salmon and mozzarella inside. Close the arancino well, forming a ball or cone, depending on the tradition you want to follow.

  5. Coat the arancini first in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs, making sure to cover them completely.

  6. Fry the arancini in hot oil (180 °C) until they become golden and crispy.

  7. Drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil and serve them hot, garnished with a bit of chopped chives, if desired.

Curiosity

Arancini are one of the most famous street foods in Sicily, traditionally filled with ragù, peas, and caciocavallo cheese. The variant with Venus rice and salmon is a modern reinterpretation that plays with different flavors and colors while maintaining the original spirit of this delicious street food.