Ideal as a Chanukah starter or side, these delicious saffron arancini are crunchy, cheesy and most importantly deep fried! A luxurious introduction to a dairy Chanukah feast which could also include our delicious ricotta fritters, these arancini are a celebration of the oil which lasted for 8 days.
While arancini are originally thought to have been created in 10th Century Siciliy, Italian Jews have a traditional rice fritter, eaten as a Chanukah treat that is not too dissimilar from arancini. The rice fritters are flatter, and studded with raisins, pine nuts and scented with lemon zest and dusted with cinnamon sugar, for an almost donut-latke style hybrid. However what the two dishes have in common is their crispy, fried outer shell and rice base that make for a mouthwatering treat.
For the Risotto
- 830ml (3½ cups) vegetable stock or store-bought vegetable broth
- 55g (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, divided
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 200g (1 cup) carnaroli or arborio rice
- 1½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
- 120ml (½ cup) dry white wine
- ½ teaspoon powdered saffron or saffron strands crushed
- 55g (2 oz.) finely grated Parmesan (about 1 cup)
- 60ml (¼ cup) heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more
For assembling and frying
- 85g (3 oz.) low-moisture mozzarella, cut into ½ cm pieces
- 200g (2 cups) panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
- 65g (½ cup) plain flour
- 2 large eggs
- Canola oil (for frying; about 6 cups)
Bring stock to a simmer in a medium pot over medium heat, then keep warm over low.
Heat 2 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened but not browned, 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until softened but not browned, about 1 more minute.
Stir in rice; season with 1½ teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring often, until some of the grains turn translucent around the edges, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring often, until the pan is almost dry, about 2 minutes. Ladle in 1 cup warm stock, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often until liquid is absorbed, about 4 minutes. Ladle in another 1 cup stock and continue to cook, stirring yet again, until most of the liquid is absorbed, 5–7 minutes. Add remaining 1½ cups stock and cook, stirring often, until rice is cooked through but toothsome and liquid is mostly absorbed, 9–11 minutes longer. About halfway through the cooking (good rice takes about 15-20 minutes to cook) add the saffron dissolved in a little stock. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan, cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1 tsp. pepper, and the remaining 2 Tbsp. butter. Season risotto with salt.
Spread risotto in an even layer on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Chill at least 1 hour or up to 4 (cover risotto with plastic wrap after 1 hour so it doesn’t develop a skin).
Line another rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Scoop about ¼ cup risotto into your hands and form into a patty about 3 cm diameter (it doesn’t need to be perfect!). Place 2–3 pieces of mozzarella in the center of the patty. Carefully pinch and shape risotto so it completely encases the cheese, then roll into 3 cm balls. Your hands might get messy, and the balls may be slightly misshapen (they’ll firm up later). Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining risotto and mozzarella. Freeze balls for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, pulse panko in a food processor or place in a zip top plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until finer crumbs form. Transfer to a shallow bowl. Place flour in another shallow bowl. Lightly beat eggs in a third shallow bowl to blend; season all bowls with salt and pepper. Working one at a time, dredge balls in flour, shaking off excess. Transfer to a bowl with egg and turn to coat, letting excess drip back into bowl. Coat with panko, pressing gently to adhere. Transfer to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Chill balls in the fridge while you heat oil.
Pour oil into a medium heavy pot fitted with a thermometer to a depth of 4 cm. Heat over medium until the thermometer registers 350°. The carefully lower half of the rice balls into oil with a slotted spoon or spider and fry until deeply golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; season with salt. Repeat with remaining rice balls. Serve warm.
