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Rice and Potato Flans

17/11/2023

The rice and potato flans are a delicious and comforting dish. The combination of rice and potatoes creates a soft and pleasant texture, which can be enriched with other ingredients as desired. Here is the recipe for preparing Italian-style rice and potato flans.

Ingredients

  • 200 g of rice
  • 300 g of potatoes
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 100 g of mozzarella (or other cheese as desired)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Nutmeg to taste
  • Butter and breadcrumbs for the molds
  • Aromatic herbs such as parsley or thyme for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by peeling the potatoes, cut them into cubes and cook them in slightly salted water until they are soft. Once cooked, mash them with a potato masher or a fork to obtain a puree.
  2. In the meantime, cook the rice in plenty of salted water according to the instructions on the package to achieve al dente rice.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
  4. In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes with the cooked rice. Add the Parmesan, eggs, salt, pepper, and a grating of nutmeg. Stir to mix the ingredients well.
  5. Butter individual molds and sprinkle them with breadcrumbs.
  6. Cut the cheese into cubes and gently fold it into the rice and potato mixture.
  7. Distribute the mixture into the prepared molds, filling them to the brim.
  8. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the flans are golden on the surface.
  9. Let the flans cool for a few minutes before unmolding, then place them on serving plates.
  10. Garnish with fresh aromatic herbs if you wish and serve.

The rice and potato flans can be customized according to personal tastes: you can add diced cooked ham, vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms, or enrich the cheese mix as desired.

Interesting Facts

The flan is a typical preparation of Italian cuisine that can be adapted to many ingredients. Its name comes from the word “sformare,” which means to remove from the mold, and refers to the action made to extract the dish from the mold in which it is cooked.