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Pan-Cooked Rice Timbale

17/11/2023

The rice timbale is a truly versatile and tasty dish, perfect for using leftover rice or for a substantial lunch. I’ll give you a classic Italian version of the rice timbale that can be made in a pan.

Ingredients

  • 300 g of rice (ideally risotto rice like Arborio or Carnaroli)
  • 1 liter of vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 small onion
  • 100 g of peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 50 g of butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Aromatic herbs to taste (parsley, basil, thyme)
  • 150 g of cooked ham or pancetta in cubes (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by cooking the rice in the broth until it is al dente. If you are using leftover rice, you can skip this step.

  2. In a pan, sauté the finely chopped onion in a little oil and a piece of butter until it becomes transparent and soft. If you want to add the cooked ham or pancetta, do it now and let it cook until crispy.

  3. Add the peas to the pan and cook for a few minutes.

  4. Take the cooked (or leftover) rice and mix it with the sautéed onion and peas, let it cool slightly before proceeding.

  5. In a bowl, beat the eggs with salt, pepper, and half of the grated Parmesan. Add the rice mixture and mix well.

  6. Grease a pan with oil and a little butter, pour in the rice mixture and level it well with a spatula.

  7. Sprinkle the surface with the remaining Parmesan and cook the timbale over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, covering with a lid.

  8. Once the bottom of the timbale becomes golden and crispy, and the rice is well set, you can turn the timbale over with the help of a plate and continue cooking on the other side for another 5-10 minutes.

  9. Once ready, transfer the timbale to a serving plate and garnish with freshly chopped aromatic herbs.

Curiosity

The rice timbale is a dish rich in history, with regional variants all over Italy. For example, in Piedmont, it is common to add truffles, while in Sicily you can find a version with saffron and sausage. The beauty of the timbale is that it can be personalized with the ingredients you have on hand or with those you prefer.

Happy cooking and enjoy your meal!