Mexican Rice Balls - Leftover Rice

Rita~'s Note:

This is a great recipe for leftover aborio rice. I used Mexican Saffron Rojo Rice. Do use your favorite cooked Mexican rice. This is Italian rice balls gone South! These are great to bring to parties just reheat in 425°F oven for 10 minutes!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 16

• 5 cups cooked rice (Mexican Saffron Rojo Rice)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, cut into 16 cubes
• oil, for frying
• flour, for coating
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten for dipping
• seasoned breadcrumbs, for coating

Directions:

1. Mix chilled rice, eggs, and peas together.
2. Roll into balls about the size of a tangerine and place one cube of cheese into the rice ball. Reform balls firmly to hold shape.
3. Place flour, egg and breadcrumbs into 3 separate bowls.
4. Dip each ball in flour, shaking off excess and reform if needed. Dip in egg, letting excess drip off, then dredge in bread crumbs, reforming and transfer to a sheet of wax paper. Repeat with remaining balls.
5. Meanwhile heat 2 inches of oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot until thermometer registers 350-360 degrees F. Working in batches of 4-6 balls, lower rice balls into oil with a slotted spoon and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Transfer with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 350-360°F between batches.
6. Serve with a tomato sauce.

Reviews

[Sammit]

Your rice balls are delicious! You can make them again for me anytime! Unfortunately, when I made them myself, or attempted to--the wild rice I used did not stick together and I could not successfully make the rice balls. = (

[razzintaz]

Sorry no stars. I used cold rice, eggs and chives and I could not get this to stick together for anything! Frustrated, I am throwing this into a greased casserole, and topping with the bread crumbs and drizzling with butter.

[Chef #1139703]

I made these for my boyfriend one night and he couldn't get enough. Very tasty, although i did finish them off in the oven to make sure all the egg was coked through.