Rice Balls and Salad
17/11/2023Here’s a recipe to prepare rice balls with salad, starting with an Italian twist.
Ingredients for rice balls:
- 200g of Arborio or Carnaroli rice
- 50g of grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 150g of mozzarella, cut into cubes
- Breadcrumbs as needed
- Salt and pepper as needed
- Olive oil or frying oil
Ingredients for the salad:
- Mixed salad greens of your choice (lettuce, arugula, baby spinach, etc.)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Carrots
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt
Preparation of rice balls:
- Cook the rice in plenty of salted water following the instructions on the package. It should be cooked al dente.
- Drain the rice and let it cool in a large bowl.
- Once the rice is cold, add the eggs, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine the ingredients.
- Take small handfuls of rice and stuff them with a cube of mozzarella, then shape them into balls.
- Dip the rice balls first in lightly beaten egg and then in breadcrumbs, making sure they are well coated.
- Heat the oil in a pan and fry the balls until they are golden. Alternatively, for a lighter version, bake them in the oven at 180°C for about 20 minutes or until golden.
- Once ready, remove the rice balls from the oil and let them rest on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Preparation of the salad:
- Wash and dry the salad leaves well.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes and carrots as you like.
- In a large bowl, combine the salad with the tomatoes and carrots.
- Dress with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Rice balls are an excellent way to reuse leftover rice, and the addition of mozzarella in the center creates a much-appreciated melting heart.
The freshness of the salad perfectly accompanies the hot and crispy rice balls, creating a balanced dish full of flavors.
Remember, you can always customize your salad with ingredients of your choice like olives, capers, cucumbers, or whatever you prefer to make the dish even more in line with your tastes.
