By Melyssa Cordero, Reporter

Tasty, succulent and full of steaming white rice, aracini is an Italian spin on a rice ball. Try making these breadcrumb-coated morsels at home for a delicious Italian treat that’s hard to find in restaurants.

Ingredients:

• 4 c. of cooked white rice
• Mozzarella or cheddar cheese cubes
• Flour
• Italian-style bread crumbs
• Marinara sauce
• 4 eggs
• Shredded Parmesan cheese
• Salt

Directions

1. Take a small boiling pot and fill it up with vegetable oil, enough to make it rise four inches or to completely cover the rice balls as they fry.

2. Begin heating the oil on medium–use a lid to avoid spattering. While it heats, mix the cooked rice and two of the eggs; add Parmesan to your liking.

4. Take the remaining two eggs and crack them into a small bowl. Beat them with a fork until well mixed.

5. Take the Italian-style breadcrumbs and put them in a larger bowl.

6. Take a flat surface like a cutting board and dust with flour. Coat your hands with flour as well to keep the rice from sticking to your hands.

7. Begin shaping the aracini by using a spoon to scoop up the rice mixture, transferring it from the spoon to your hand. Take a mozzarella or cheddar cheese cube and stuff it into the middle of the rice ball, completely surrounding it with rice. You may cover your hands in more flour if necessary.

8. Dredge the rice ball first in the egg wash, then in the breadcrumb mixture until it is well coated on all sides.  Place the aracini on a plate or platter.

9. Keep making rice balls until you have the desired amount.

10. Once the oil is heated and all the aracini are made, put a few rice balls in the oil and fry until golden brown. When the crust is golden, take the aracini out using a slotted spoon and place on a plate with a paper towel to drain; immediately after taking it out, salt it and let it cool.

11. Continue adding more aracini to the oil and cooking them, a few at a time, until all are done.

12. Once everything is done, enjoy a bite into the scrumptious aracini. Try dipping it into some marinara to add more flavor.